Class Three

Class Three

Interpreting Poetry (Day 3)

Now that we have thought about the speaker, we need to begin thinking about the second major part of the poem, the audience.

Audience: The individual or individuals for whom the poem is intended.

Each of the poems you read for today was intended for a specific audience .

William Carlos Williams’ Danse Russe:

Read the poem.

1) What is this strange little poem about?

1
2
3
ect...

You can come up with many answers, but it is important to know that Danse Russe is the name of a famous piece of Piano music written by Stravinsky. Williams knew this, and he expected his audience to know it too.

Let’s listen to the music. (<-- Click to listen to the music)

Cultural References:

Poems sometimes make cultural references. They refer to things that are part of a common culture for the audience the poem is intended for.

We come across cultural references all the time.

2) We see them in tv shows and in movies that reference other tv shows and movies. There are in music as well. Can you think of some examples?

1
2
3
ect...

If you know the cultural reference being made in the title, you have a better chance of understanding the poem.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson's: Ulysses:

3) What is this poem about?

1
2
3
ect...

4) What are the cultural references being made here?

1
2
3
ect...

How would an understanding of The Odyssey help you better understand this poem?

When poems make a cultural reference, and you don’t know the reference, you need to look it up, or else you will miss out on part of the meaning in the poem.

The Second Coming: Apocalyptic Imagery.

5) Again, what are the cultural references here?

1
2
3
ect.

Remember: Poets have cultural expectations of their readers.
If you do not know what is being referenced in a poem, you need to look it up!


Read For Next Class:

Robert Frost: Mending Wall
Andrew Marvell: To His Coy Mistress

Watch This YouTube Video For Next Class:

Video 1

Listen to this Podcasts For Next Class:

Robert Frost: Mending Wall