ENG1DB Poetry Analysis Unit:
Examining Shape Poems
· A shape poem is a type of poetry that describes an object and is shaped the same on the page as the object the poem is describing.
The Poem: “(a love song, with two goldfish)” by Grace Chua
(He's a drifter, always
floating around her, has
nowhere else to go. He wishes
she would sing, not much, just the scales;
or take some notice,
give him the fish eye.)
(Bounded by round walls
she makes fish eyes
and kissy lips at him, darts
behind pebbles, swallows
his charms hook, line and sinker)
(He's bowled over. He would
take her to the ocean, they could
count the waves. There,
in the submarine silence, they would share
their deepest secrets. Dive for pearls
like stars.)
(But her love's since
gone belly-up. His heart sinks
like a fish. He drinks
like a stone. Drowns those sorrows,
stares emptily through glass.)
(the reason, she said
she wanted)
(and he could not give)
a life
beyond the
(bowl)
Poetry Analysis Questions:
· Please respond to the following poetry analysis questions for the shape poem entitled, “(a love song, with two goldfish)”, by Grace Chua, in complete sentences on a separate sheet of lined paper.
1. What important sensory image is created through the arrangement of words (and the use of brackets) in this shape poem, and what is the significance of this image to the poem as a whole? Explain thoughtfully.
2. Identify TWO examples of puns used within this shape poem, and analyze the purpose and effect of each example.
3. Identify TWO examples of similes used in this shape poem, and analyze the purpose and effect of each example.
The Poem: “Treblinka Gas Chamber” by Phyllis Webb
falling stars
‘a field of’
buttercups’
yellow stars
of David
falling
the prisoners
the children
falling
in heaps
on one another
they go down
Thanatos
showers
his dirty breath
they must breathe
him in
they see stars
behind their
eyes
David’s
‘a field of
buttercups’
a metaphor
where all that’s
left lies down
Poetry Analysis Questions:
· Please respond to the following poetry analysis questions for the shape poem entitled, “Treblinka Gas Chamber”, by Phyllis Webb, in complete sentences on a separate sheet of lined paper.
1. What are the two meanings behind the “falling stars” metaphor used in this shape poem?
2. In the poem, the words “yellow” and “falling” are meant to contrast one another in order to create a deeper meaning. What deeper meaning is created through this use of juxtaposition? Explain insightfully.
3. What three important sensory images are created through the arrangement of the words in this shape poem, and what is their ultimate significance? Explain thoughtfully.
4. Identify an example of personification in this shape poem, and analyze its purpose and effect.
5. Why can the reference to “Thanatos” be considered both an allusion and a symbol in this poem? Discuss your thoughts in detail.