S-Cool Revision Summary
S-Cool Revision Summary
| Why are you being asked to compare the two poems? |
| Are they being compared because of their styles, their contents or both? |
| Do you prefer one of the poems? |
| What are their different merits? |
| Are the poems from different times? |
| Does one of the poems appear more accessible at first, but have less depth? |
Pastiche, Parody and Reply
| Pastiche: | A pastiche is where a writer attempts to imitate the style of a particular writer or period. |
| Parody: | A parody is a humorous piece of writing. The writer mimics or exaggerates the style of another writer. This can be done for a number of reasons: to expose the faults of another writer; purely for fun; or to give a fresh interpretation of a particular style or subject. |
| Reply: | A reply is a clear response to another poem. |
| Rewrite: | Sometimes a poet takes the subject matter of another and overtly rewrites the poem in a different style. |
Points to Consider
| Does the poet alter your interpretation of the other poem? |
| Does the reader gain anything from reading both poems? |
| Look for clear indications such as overt references to the other poem, such as reference to the poet or specific aspects of the poem. |
| Have the two poets have written about the same event, subject, and experience quite independently? |
| Was one poem written later than the other? |
| Are there clues to suggest that one of the poets has read the other? |
Gender
| Are the poems written by men or women? |
| If poets of the same gender write both poems, then do you notice different attitudes that suggest they are from different eras? |
| Do they represent the voice of their gender at different times? |
| If on the other hand poets of different genders write the poems, then do you notice ideas or attitudes that reflect the gender difference? |
| Do the two writers interpret and approach the same issue in different ways? |
| Does this have anything to do with whether they are male or female? |
Social Context
| When were the poems written? |
| Do they suggest ideas, which reflect a certain period of time? |
| If the poems are old, how do they relate to the modern reader? |
| Are the modern poems necessarily of more relevance to modern issues? |
| Can you see how attitudes have changed over a period of time? |
| Are there views that seem inappropriate nowadays, or alternatively do either of the poems have timeless qualities? |
| Have the poets used a certain style, which is associated with a certain era? |
| How does the style relate to the modern reader? |
| Do the poems represent ideas associated with a particular social background? |
| Do they represent views of similar or different social status? Is this relevant? |
| What language is used to highlight these social contexts? |
Cultural Context
| Which cultures are the two poems from? |
| If they are from the same cultural background, do they approach the same issue in different ways? |
| What language is used which suggests a particular cultural setting? |
| If the poems are from different cultures, in what ways are the style, subject matter, and attitudes influenced by this? |
| Although the poems are from different cultures, do they share the same ideas or values? |
| Why is it important to understand the poems' different cultural backgrounds? |
| What would ignoring this lose? |
| What is gained by considering the cultural context? |
| How does this help you appreciate the poem? |
Poetic Voice
| To what extent do issues of gender, and historical context, influence the poetic voice? |
| Why have each of the poems been written? |
| Have the poets approached a similar subject matter using contrasting poetic voices? |
| If the poets have used a similar poetic voice, why have they done so? |
| Do the poems demand to be read in very different ways and for different reasons? |
| Does one of the poems' poetic voices seem to be more effective? |
| Do the poems have different merits? |
Diction
| Does one of the poems seem more accessible because of the use of diction? |
| Is the reader necessarily able to access one of the poems more easily because of when the poem was written? |
| If the poets have used very different diction, what do you notice about the different effect? |
| Are there clear advantages and disadvantages for each type of diction? |
Use of Imagery
| What images do the poets use? |
| Have the poets used similar images but in different ways? |
| If the poets are writing about similar themes, how does their choice of imagery influence the reader's thoughts about the theme? |
| Sometimes poets write about the same subject but use completely different images. What does this tell you about their social and cultural context? |
| Does the choice of images in each poem complement each other or do they suggest different and opposing viewpoints? |
Similar Forms
| Do the poets approach the same form in different ways and with different effects? |
| Have the poets used the form to portray different ideas? Do their ideas conflict with each other? |
| Has one of the poets used the form in a different and unusual way? |
Different Forms
| Why do you think each poet has chosen a particular form? What does that form offer the poet? |
| Do you notice different merits in the poems because of their different choice of form? |
| Does one of the poems lack something because of the choice of form? |
Rhyme and Rythym
| Try reading them the poems at different paces and with different tones. |
| How does the use of rhyme and rhythm influence your reading of the poem? |
| Does the use of rhyme and rhythm link in with the time when the poems were written? |
| For example, does one poet use rap to discuss the same issue as another poet who has used blank verse? |
| What moods do the two poems create? |
| Do these arise as a result of the poets' use of rhyme and rhythm? |
| Is one of the poems more accessible because of its rhyme and rhythm? |
| Does one of the poets use a particular technique more effectively? |
Themes and Moods in the Poem
| Sometimes the link in themes isn't obvious at first. |
| Poems that are about the same theme may have very different moods and attitudes. |
| Think carefully about the social and cultural context. |
| How does this influence the poet's portrayal of a particular theme? |
| What words and techniques are used to create the moods in each poem? |