Complexity of Poetry

Allison Gilpin Dr. J wizs English 102 20 July, 2012 complexness of Poe fork over Poetry is a way for the ref to openly interpret a poem in almost any way they see fit. Because there is so much freedom of interpretation with poetry, there leaves a lot of room for discussion and opposition. Billy Collins poem, Introduction to Poetry, breaks down the raw material ways for interpreting and reason a poem. In summary, he explains that the reader tailnot focus on stressful to figure out one specific moment of a poem, but instead, try to piece to deposither small parts to understand a deeper meaning.Collins rules on how to interpret a poem end be applied to Hughess poem about a young educatee writing a poem for homework. Instead of looking at Hughess poem as a all told, the reader domiciliate better understand it by breaking it down and figuring out why each withdraw is important and how it ties together with the poem as a whole. Understanding collins rules to interpret a poem, helper the reader decipher Hughes poem on a deeper, more academic level. Langston Hughess poem explains how a black, twenty two year old man and the rest of his white classmates argon given an engagement to write a paper.The narrator, who is also the student, explains his thoughts about the assignment and how him being the only colored one in his class might be reflected on his grade on the assignment. At the beginning of the poem, he explains how he has to get to class everyday by traveling across some of the better parts of town. The student goes on to explain how even though he is colored, he likes the same things and has the same wants as everyone else. He states that he is no different than the rest of his class and that he too has knowledge to shargon.By stating this, the student is expressing to the reader how he thinks him and the instructor are equal. In the last few lines the student writes, As I assume from you, / I guess you learn from me (37-38). This explains how eve n though their skin color and age is different they are still able to learn from each other. The student has a somewhat optimistic and confident line throughout the poem. He is aware of his capabilities and knows that he can be just as successful as anyone else.Billy Collins Introduction to Poetry explains how whenever bulk analyze a poem they do not try to find the true message of it. By writing, But all they want to do / is tie the poem to a chair with rope / and torture a confession out of it, explains how the majority of people are lazy and want everything handed to them effortlessly (12-14). This last stanza explains how some people look at poems from one point of view and expect the meaning of the poem to be written out for them.The author is stating that people should look at the poem from different angles just as one would look at the adult male from a color slide. He tries to explain to the reader that if one were to interpret the poem from a whole new approach, then the y could find a deeper meaning than just the surface meaning. After reading Collins Introduction to Poetry, the reader should have a better sense of how to interpret Hughess poem. passim the first part of Hughess poem the reader whitethorn think all of the characters background culture including his address, age, and hometown is pointless.After reading an entire stanza about this pointless information the reader may try to stop understanding the poem before they even finish it. If the reader uses Collins instructions about analyzing a poem, they may find that all of this pointless information is actually important and helps contribute to the characters feelings of insecurity. Collins poem explains that not all poems have one specific root or meaning the writer is trying to get across.Keeping this idea in mind, the reader may realize that Hughess poem, in fact, does not state an answer or solution to the characters mixed feelings. Although both of these poems leave room the readers own special interpretation, there is a basic meaning and idea to each one. Both of these poems fit well together because Collins thoughts and ideas can be directly applied when reading Hughess poem. The poems are an effective example of how even though a poem may seem short and simple, there is usually a deeper and greater meaning beneath the surface.