1 TPCASTT Poetry Analysis Ms. Turner, English I 1/09 Poetry Unit: TP-CASTT - Blume
TPCASTT is an ACRONYM for 2 Title Paraphrase Connotation Attitude Shift Title Theme
First, let s review some vocabulary: 3 Literal = means exact or not exaggerated. Literal language is language that means exactly what is said. Most of the time, we use literal language. Figurative = the opposite of literal language. Figurative language is language that means more than what it says on the surface. Often used by poets and other writers.
Vocabulary Review 4 Denotation = the dictionary definition of a word or phrase Connotation = a meaning suggested by a word or phrase, in addition to its exact (denotative) meaning; can be the emotional feelings associated with the word Think of the denotative and connotative meanings of words such as home, mother, love, peace, friend, etc.
Title: What predictions can you make about the poem from the title? What are your initial (first) thoughts about the poem? What might be the theme of the poem? 5
Title: What predictions can you make from the title? 6 The poem might be simply about the Pacific ocean. Is it about some memory the author has or some special feelings he has about going to the beach? (now read the poem)
Once by the Pacific by Robert Frost 7 The shattered water made a misty din. Great waves looked over others coming in, And thought of doing something to the shore That water never did to land before. The clouds were low and hairy in the skies, Like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes. You could not tell, and yet it looked as if The shore was lucky in being backed by cliff, The cliff in being backed by continent; It looked as if a night of dark intent Was coming, and not only a night, an age. Someone had better be prepared for rage. There would be more than ocean-water broken Before God's last Put out the Light was spoken.
Paraphrase: Describe what happens in the poem, in your own words. 8
Paraphrase: Describe what happens in the poem, in your own words. 9 Waves are crashing on the shore. The force of the waves tells us that a great storm is coming and reminds the speaker of the end of the world.
Connotation: What might the poem mean beyond the literal level? Find examples of imagery, metaphors, similes, personification, symbolism, idioms, hyperbole, alliteration, rhyme scheme, rhythm, etc. and think about their possible connotative meanings. Consider the emotional feelings that the words may give the reader. 10
Connotation: What might the poem mean beyond the literal level? Find examples of imagery, metaphors, similes, personification, symbolism, idioms, hyperbole, alliteration, rhyme scheme, rhythm, etc. and think about their possible connotative meanings. Consider the emotional feelings that the words may give the reader. The poem might mean that the 11 crashing waves and oncoming storm remind the speaker of the end of the world. There is a simple rhythm in the rhyming couplet structure and use of iambic pentameter. They rhythm may be connected to the rhythmic sound of waves crashing on a shore. Rich imagery is created by the use of devices such as personification and simile. Put out the Light is a Biblical allusion to the creation of the universe. The quote reverses the original reference ( Let there be Light! to suggest and ending instead of a beginning.
Attitude: Describe the tone of the poem. What is the poet s attitude toward the subject of the poem? The speaker s attitude? Find and list examples that illustrate the tone and mood of the poem (these show attitude). 12
Attitude: Describe the tone of the poem. What is the poet s attitude toward the subject of the poem? The speaker s attitude? Find and list examples that illustrate the tone and mood of the poem (these show attitude). 13 The tone of the poem seems to be somber, pessimistic, fearful, apocalyptic.
Shift: Is there a shift (a change) in the tone or speaker of the poem? Where does the shift happen in the poem? What does it shift from and to? 14
Shift: Is there a shift (a change) in the tone or speaker of the poem? Where does the shift happen in the poem? What does it shift from and to? 15 The shift occurs in line 10.
Title: Look at the title again. Have your original ideas about the poem changed? How? What do you think the title means now? 16
Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem? What insight, understanding, lesson, or truth are we supposed to have after reading this poem? 17
Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem? What insight, understanding, lesson, or truth are we supposed to have after reading this poem? 18 The poem teaches us that we should respect the raw power wielded by nature. Nature is symbolic of an even greater power that can both create life yet also destroy it.