Breaking barriers and cultivating a lifelong love of poetry, this practical guide to reading poetry is set up to provide a background in analyzing poems, applying literary theory, forming opinions and offers approaches to discussing and writing about poetry. The volume teaches readers how a writer works so that they can feel more comfortable reading poems. The author examines survivalist poetics, how readers and writers work, literary criticism, how a poem is built; metaphor, symbol, and point of view, sound and the poem, shaping the currents of poetry, reading a poem, writers on writing, and provides poems for further reading. For those looking for an accessible introduction to poetry.
Wanted to get a nice refresher before starting poetry. I remember having to purchase this book for an English class at community college. Finally got to read the entire thing and it’s a great immersive supplement to understanding poetry. Loved the poetry selections ranging from Rita Dove to the British Romantics!