How do you understand poems?
Hey,
In school, you have to analyze poems that were sometimes written centuries ago (like those by Georg Herwegh or Heinrich Heine). Some students have trouble understanding them (myself included). The problem is that you usually have to write a summary, and if you don't understand the content, it can be very problematic.
I hope for your advice 🙂
LG
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It is in fact the responsibility to help teachers to understand older texts. I would also discuss this with them – above all, class works or exams. Above all, consideration must also be given to the generally limited vocabulary of people with a migration background.
if it has been clarified or translated, what actually stands, one can approach the actual task of poems that are the same on all sides. It is about first of all describing what the speaker or the lyrical I simply does. This has not much to do with interpretation yet. it is only about understanding whether it is a description, thought or expression of feelings.
The content of poems is really something that has not really been thought through. For a short story you can write a content description relatively easily. Poems usually have little action, but more descriptions or expressions of feeling. Therefore, normal content information does not make any sense at all. Instead, it makes sense to describe in summary what the spokesman of the poem actually exists. Maybe this will help you. I'll see if I can find more information.
This video shows, for example, how to describe the content of poem verses in this way:
Last minute tips on the content of poems: Example: Mascha Kaléko, "Great City Love"
https://youtu.be/GUC7VmpyhlA
Just take an example of a poem by Herwegh or Heine. Let's see how to handle it. 😉
If the idea had to deal with the poets, from when to when lived, etc., read biography and try to find out: for what reason could the poet have written this, some examples:
was he/she just in a crisis?
Stress with anyone?
did he or she seem to be approaching death – then you write something very different than when you just formulated the first line?
the work should be a commission, etc.
Take a look at films or documents that try to illuminate the life of those superstars of literature.In memory of the author, as hard as it may fall: was a completely different person at another time.
In poems, especially in old poems, it is almost indispensable to deal with history a little.
How did the poet grow up, what did he experience? At that time there were wars, famines, deaths in the vicinity of vision, worries, etc.
For many poets process the experience in their works.
Honestly, I believe that there is no great solution for this. I didn't understand this language of poetry at school. Most likely it could help to explain some things again and again by fellow students until you have the view of yourself. Otherwise, you think I'm more powerless. Especially if one of the things is not interested.
Not very helpful: Especially if one of the things is not interested.
Language is the core of the human being. Whoever did not control geometry should not enter Plato's Academy. Who the mastery of language is indifferent (cram?), who should perhaps be able to apply for admission into a baboon herd, who have such a kind of sign language (of course without poems!).
Your answer is not helpful!
Wow…you're really a 🤡
Yeah, that's the truth! With this you have demonstrated the right to further education in the field of poetry interpretation.
For me, poem analyzes were always modern torture instruments of society.
Because teachers don't know how to inspire students, that's the problem.
Reading aloud often helps.
In the exam?
then inside loud:)