1)A Copy of the Poem You Will Be Analyzing

Poetry Analysis

Each group member will take one poem from their Poetry Idol Project and complete and analysis of it. The analysis should include the following:

1)A copy of the poem you will be analyzing

2)A paragraph explaining what you think the poem is about

3)A paragraph that talks about the structure and figurative language of the poem, using specific examples

4)A paragraph that gives your opinion of the poem, again using supporting details.

Mrs. McGovern’s example is below

The Crocodile by Lewis Carroll

How doth the little crocodile

Improve his shining tail,

And pour the waters of the Nile

On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,

How neatly spreads his claws,

And welcomes little fishes in,

With gently smiling jaws!

I think that Carroll’s poem “The Crocodile” is a rather ironic look at what people usually view as a dangerous animal. Rather than paint of picture of a vicious scary creature, Carroll seems to make his crocodile appear almost pet-like, pointing out what would usually be scary features in different words. For example, most people view the smile of a crocodile as a vehicle of looming danger, but Carroll describes it as “gently smiling” which makes it seem almost pleasant.

“The Crocodile” is written with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD. The rhymes are lines of rhyming couplet. Carroll utilizes several types of figurative language in his poem. He uses hyperbole when he writes of pouring the “water of the Nile on every golden scale.” He also uses personification when he writes “Welcomes little fishes in” as welcoming is a human, not animal characteristic. Finally, the poem possesses rhythm, with the first and 3rd lines containing the same number of syllables.

This poem made me smile, though I wouldn’t say that I loved it. I did like the word choices and thought that Carroll packed a lot into what is a fairly short poem. I thought Carroll was clever in taking a creature and presenting it in an atypical manner. I think I would like to see a series of poems written like this, taking “scary” creatures and giving them more lovable characteristics. I also think it might be interesting to see a model of this poem that does the opposite: take a timid animal and make it seem fierce.