Septemeber 8, 2008

First, we used the poem "The Dragon of Grindly Grun" as a class. Then, I assigned the poem "An Elementary School Class Room in a Slum" by Stephen Spender.

September 9, 2008

With a partner, complete the Critical Analysis of Poetry using "An Elementary School Class Room in a Slum."

Critical Analysis of Poetry

Step One

Read the poem three times:

1. Silently for first impression

2. Aloud, noting rhythm, literary devices, mood, voice

3. Again, to adjust first impression

Step Two

What is going on here? What is the dramatic situation? What is the evidence? How do you know?
Look on it as if it were a brief glimpse into a play scene, an overheard conversation, a flash of insight into someone’s thoughts and feelings of the moment.
Who is speaking (voice)? What kind of person? What is the attitude toward the situation (tone)?
Who is being spoken to? What is the attitude toward the audience, the subject (tone)? How consistent is the speaker with the situation?

Step Three

1. How does the poet achieve the effect? What creates the dominant impression?

2. Look at the following:

Patterns—What is the structure of the poem? Look at lines, stanzas, repetitions, rhythm patterns, meter, rhyme and sound patterns.
Images—Note any that appeal to the senses. Look for literal and figurative images, symbols, use of literary devices that build imagery.
Words—Why the choice and positions of words? Are there connotations, allusions?

Step Four

How do all these contribute to the total impact of the poem? Summarize your findings. How well does the poem do what it is doing?