How to Analys a Poem

Before you even think about analysing poem, you need to read it. This sounds obvious, but it is the step most people miss, which is why their analyses are often confused. Read the poem at least three times; read it out aloud; taste the words on your tongue as you say them. Only once you have done this are you ready to try and figure out what the poet is actually saying.

Who is Speaking?

The poet and the speaker are not the same thing. The poet writes the poem, but there is someone "speaking" in it who is not necessarily the poet.

Knowing who the poet is and when and where s/he wrote can sometimes provide useful information which will help you understand what is being said. Remember: all literature is written in a social, cultural and historical context, and understanding this context can add greatly to your understand and interpretation of the poem.

The poet and the speaker are not the same thing. The poet writes the poem, but there is someone "speaking" in it who is not necessarily the poet. The speaker in poetry is similar to the narrative voice in prose fiction. S/he is not always identifiable, but may be real or imagined, personal or impersonal.

When and Where is the Poem Set?

The setting of a poem is where the poem takes place. It may be located in a specific place which has direct bearing on the poem's message. For example, William Blake's "London" is, obviously, set in London and the poem critiques what was happening in London at the time of the poem being written.

However, identifying the setting of a poem is not always as easy and obvious as Blake's "London". A poem can be set anywhere, in the past, present or future, in an imagined or real location. Knowing the setting of a poem can indicate the mood or atmosphere that the poem is trying to convey, as well as help your understanding of the poem's message.

What are the Form and Structure of the Poem?

When a poet decides to write a poem, s/he also chooses a specific form that they think will best convey their ideas. Poetry encompasses many modes: narrative, dramatic, satiric, polemic, didactic, erotic, lyrical/personal etc. For example, the sonnet form is used when the poem's message has something to do with love. The ballad form is generally adopted for a narrative form.

The form of a poem is closely connected to its structure; that is, the arrangement of lines and stanzas. Become familiar with the different poem structures and use that to decide what form the poet has chosen.

What is the Subject Matter of the Poem?

The poet is trying to say something through his poem. S/he chooses the speaker, setting and form to convey the theme or central idea. There are no limits to the subjects poets choose to write about: it could be about