"Introduction to Poetry" by Billy Collins

Front

Read the following line: "I say drop a mouse into a poem and watch him probe his way out." Thinking from the speaker's perspective, a mouse could be symbolic for--

Back

a concept or an idea working its way to the forefront

Front

Read the following stanza: "I want them to waterski across the surface of a poem waving at the author's name on the shore." The speaker most likely intends for his audience to take note of the author because--

Back

if the reader recalls and understands the author's background, it may shed light on the poem's meaning

Front

Which line reveals the audience or students' perspective? "I ask them take a poem and hold it up to...", "...but all they want to do is...", "I say drop a mouse into...", "I ask them to waterski across the surface..."

Back

"...but all they want to do is..."

Front

In the poem, the speaker's mood shifts by the time the reader gets to stanza--

Back

5

Front

What do stanzas 5 and 6 suggest about the speaker's audience?

Back

They don't like to exert the effort required to analyze poetry.

Front

What do lines 1 - 3 suggest about the process of analyzing poetry?

Back

Words, lines, and stanzas of poetry have to be looked through different "filters" or perspectives in order to discover the interpretation.

Front

Read the following line: "I ask them to...press an ear against its hive." What is the significance of this line?

Back

It is referencing poetry's tendency to appeal to sound.

Front

An alternative title for this poem could be all of the following except: The ABC's of Poetry, Poetry Made Easy, Poetry 101

Back

Poetry Stinks

Front

Which lines from the poem suggest that unpacking and interpreting poetry is a process of discovery?

Back

feel the walls for a light switch

Front

Read the line "...hold it up to the light like a color slide..." What could this mean in the context of the poem?

Back

Look at the poem from different perspectives.