Picking Apart a Siren Song

Name: ______

Today we are going to be analyzing a poem by Margaret Atwood, “Siren Song.” We will use a method called TPCASTT. Here is a breakdown of this method:

Title:Ponder the title before reading the poem

Paraphrase:Translate the poem into your own words

Connotation:Contemplate the poem for meaning beyond the literal level

Attitude:Observe both the speaker’s and the poet’s attitude (tone)

Shift(s):Note shifts in speakers and attitudes

Title:Examine the title again, this time on an interpretive level

Theme:Determine what the poet is saying

In the left-hand column paraphrase each stanza from the poem (middle column). Put each stanza into your own words to help you understand what is going on. In the right-hand column, write down any figurative language devices you see in that stanza: diction (word choice) that stands out, symbolism, simile, metaphor, repetition, imagery, etc. that help take the poem beyond the literal level. You may also include adjectives that help paint a picture in your mind or words that create a certain mood to you or express the speaker’s tone.

Here is one interpretation of what a siren looks like. See if you notice anything that suggests this in the poem.

Siren Song

By Margaret Atwood

Paraphrase
Everyone wants to learn how to sing the song that appeals to all. / Literal
This is the one song everyone
would like to learn: the song
that is irresistible / Connotative/Figurative
“irresistible” suggests the power of the song (diction choice)
The song causes people to kill themselves to get to it, even though they know it’s deadly. / the song that forces men
to leap overboard in squadrons
even though they see beached skulls
the song nobody knows
because anyone who had heard it
is dead, and the others can’t remember.
Shall I tell you the secret
and if I do, will you get me
out of this bird suit? / “bird suit” alludes to:
______
______
I don’t enjoy it here
squatting on this island
looking picturesque and mythical
with these two feathery maniacs
I don’t enjoy singing
this trio, fatal and valuable.
I will tell the secret to you,
to you, only to you.
Come closer. This song / Who is “you” referring to?
is a cry for help: Help me!
Only you, only you can,
you are unique / What words are repeated in the last stanza and this one? What effect does that have?
at last. Alas
it is a boring song
but it works every time.

Based on your analyzation of the poem, answer the following questions.

What epic poem is the title of this poem a reference to?

Who is the speaker? What is the gender of the speaker?

Who is the audience? What is the gender of the audience?

“Help me!/ Only you, only you can,/ you are unique” What does this compliment say about the relationship between men and women?

What does this song have the power to do?

Shifts in meaning typically come toward the end of a poem and may contain words like but, yet, however, alas, although, etc. Find the shift in this poem and write it here:

What does this shift or change tell the reader? What change has now happened?

Hint: What “works every time”?

What is the main idea or message of this poem? What is the speaker trying to convince the audience to do?

Why is she trying to convince them? What is her end goal?

What is the tone of this poem? What words from the poem help you identify that?