SAIL of Melbourne, Inc

HOW TO READ, ANALYZE, AND APPRECIATE POETRY: Have you ever said, “I just don’t get what poetry is about?” If so, this class is for you. Poetry isn’t only about trees and flowers, nor is it just made up of “emotional” language, bad rhymes, or fuzzy images. It contains structure and logic, rhythmic regularity, and even some mathematical precision. Poetry provides readers with deeper insight into our life experience. We’ll focus on the relationship between content and some writing elements, such as figurative language, symbolism, patterns, and rhythm, to better understand why writers chose to structure ideas in certain ways. Class will be conducted through some short lectures on what to look for and group discussion of specific poems. Each poem contains many meanings. Sharing what we pick up from them can enhance our appreciation of the power of language and of this art form to express ideas. Instructor: Fr. Tony Grasso, CSC, Ph. D. (He taught high school English and was Professor of English at King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA, for 37 years. He has spent more than 40 years in the classroom and has published some poetry and articles in the field. Handouts and online materials will be provided without cost.