Today, I am happy to showcase an amazing member of the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB, Balroop Singh!
Understanding Poetry
I don’t remember when I started liking poetry. Probably I was born with it or was fascinated by the lyrics of Mother Nature.
When I walk down my memory lane, one image looms large and that is how much effort one of our English professors put into explaining the poetry of Tennyson and Wordsworth. While the latter was relatively easier to understand, the former much more complex and obviously we didn’t like the one who was more challenging.
Real challenges came my way when ‘Paradise Lost,’ an epic poem by John Milton was not taught in the class (or if it was, I must be mentally absent) and even when it was discussed, it didn’t evoke any interest!
While prose can be an effortless reading unless it is stream of consciousness writing, poetry can become quite boring if we are not familiar with its techniques and tones. Despite the tests and trails, I continued to like poetry and slowly discovered that it is a genre par excellence. It can say a lot through literary techniques, which only an admirer of Literature can understand. I still struggle to understand some subtle messages conveyed through poetry.
My mind hurtles back once again; my interactions with teenagers get refreshed, all their expressions, yawns and glances stand before me, bringing those lovely memories of hate-love relationship we had with poetry; when we would try to convince each other why poetry is good or bad and how we could understand it better.
I am not an expert but I have figured out a few ways to understand poetry:
All readers have their own approach and interpretation but how imagery is used defines a poem. Can you read between those special words to fathom their depth?
It is better to read slowly. Stop and ponder over at the word that seems simple but abstruse.
Be curious. Inquisitiveness and interest are two important elements that lead to our understanding of a poem.
Poetry can’t be scanned and understood like prose as the former demands concentration, attention and gentle reading.
If you read a poem in a hurry, you would miss the real meaning. Many times words are used as metaphors.
You have to be familiar with most common literary techniques like simile, metaphor, hyperbole, personification, alliteration and assonance.
Imaginative flights of poets can’t be predicted, we have to fly with them to figure out their proficiencies.
Critical analysis of a poem reveals the nuances of its theme, undertones and other signals, which remain hidden to a scanner.
Some poems are ambiguous. Probably they relate to the poet’s past or buried memory, which he wouldn’t like to reveal but gives a vent to his emotions through writing.
Ambiguous ideas in a poem provide a food for thought and chisel your creative skills.
Who has the time and the inclination to read and re-read a poem in this fast-paced world? Only poetry lovers do!
Thank you so much for dropping by to support Balroop! We hope that you will take your support even further by picking up a copy of her book. We ask that you also please ‘LIKE’ this page, leave a comment and share it on social media before leaving. To follow along with the rest of her tour, please drop by the RRBC “SPOTLIGHT” Author forum.
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Thanks for your highlights regarding some of the literary techniques poets use. Of course, the beauty of it all is that they use if probably without much thought. I loved some of your alliterations and similes, especially when you were out in nature. Kind regards to you and Jan, also for hosting on her lovely blog.
Thank you, Maretha, for your support of Balroop on this tour!!
You certanly have a gift, Balroop. It’s great to see you featured on here. Thank you for sharimng, Jan!
Thanks for supporting Balroop on this tour, Mark!
You’re welcome, Jan.
A lovely post on understanding poetry. I like simple poetry that flows easily and remains with you long after you’ve read it. It’s true the love for poetry is a seed that can be sowed only by a wonderful English teacher. Was fortunate to have some very good teachers. Can never forget the poems they taught. Congratulations Again!🙂
My sentiments Smitha, if a poem is taught well, love for poetry grows. Good to hear you too got some good teachers. Stay blessed.
Thank you for your comment, Smitha! I’m happy you stopped by to support Balroop!
I love Balroop’s poetry, and this is an interesting explanation of the ways in which we relate to it. I enjoyed learning about Balroop’s poetic history. Thanks for.sharing, Jan.
Thank you so much Diana, I have many more stories about poetry… some of which just flew off my head. 🙂
Thank you for dropping by, Diana!
Poetry is a complex creature. Although I have written it myself, I don’t pretend to understand it. I just know what I like and what works for me. Balroop writes beautiful poetry, and that is something that resonates with me.
Thanks for hosting, Jan.
Creature! Lol! Thank you Mae, I am delighted that you understand this “complex creature” created by me.
Thank you, Mae! It’s a pleasure to host Balroop and I’m happy you stopped by!
I love poetry, but as an intensive reading teacher, teaching poetry makes me want to cry because my students have such a difficult time deciphering its meaning. (And then, you have state tests who use poetry to torture students! Ugh!) Still, I try to show them the beauty in poetry and have them create their own. It’s not always easy, but they do enjoy creating their own pieces. 🙂
I can understand that “want to cry” sentiment so well Yvette, I have experienced it first hand but that never dampened my spirits to motivate shirkers and could see delight in their eyes when I explained poetry. Thank you for sharing your view.
Teachers most certainly have challenges when it comes to getting through to the students. Today on the RRBC Bring On the Genres show, Balroop talked about how she was able to get students engaged and excited about poetry by having them write it. Sounds like you are doing the same thing. Thank you for stopping by, Yvette!
Thanks for explaining poetry techniques.
I found it very interesting, Wendy, and it went right along with #RRBCBringOnTheGenres today! Thanks for stopping by!
My pleasure Wendy 🙂 Thank you for coming over to read.
Thank you Jan for giving me this space at your blog. Looking forward to discussing more of this genre today. 🙂
I always respect those who can put deep emotion into simple words of poetry. Congratulations, Balroop. Thank you, Jan for hosting.
Thank you John, you are an awesome supporter. I try to write simple and emotional poetry. 🙂
Yes i know and I admire your takent.
I see it as a gift, John! Thanks for stopping by!
That is SO very true, Denise! Poetry is to be enjoyed over and over again. Thank you for stopping by!
So true, Balroop that poetry requires more than a simple scan of words. It is a different process of reading, more presence in that moment.
Thanks for hosting, Jan.
Ah! you understand poetry so well Denise. I love your Nature poems. Thank you for your lovely support.
A lovely post about poetry and its assessment and meaning, Balroop. I must admit that I prefer simple poetry that everyone can enjoy to the really complex ones. Thanks for hosting, Jan.
Thank you, Robbie, for stopping in and leaving a comment for Balroop! It’s my pleasure to host!
Poetry has been simplified by modern poets Robbie. Thanks to T.S.Eliot who pioneered it. Thanks for sharing your view.