How to read and understand a poem

Every so often on this blog we plan to feature guest posts that add value to the series of informative posts supporting your poetic journey. This post was kindly written by one of our Invisible Poets member (Olusegun Ajeyi).

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I know you may be wondering, why on earth should reading and understanding poetry be a topic of discussion? Why is it even important to read poetry? What is the importance of understanding it? How does it concern you or affect your life? Why should you even care? 

If these are your questions then follow me closely as I am about to give you satisfactory answers that will soothe your soul and quench your thirst like a chilled juice on a hot summer day. And if any of these questions does not bother you at all, you are also invited to come and have a sip of this chilled juice. Who doesn't like better things? Nobody, right? Without beating around the bush let's go straight into business.

Poetry is unarguably the most artistic genre of literature. It is very unique and dynamic in its use of figurative language to evoke emotion, paint vivid imagery, convey complex ideas, and communicate the depths of the human souls.

Poetry is as old as the universe itself; it can be found in many different cultures of the world. Poetry has been used throughout history as a powerful tool to fight against vices, break down vultures and it continues to be a vehicle to convey important messages and ideas for a positive transformation in our global community.

Reading and understanding poetry can be a challenging task, but it is absolutely a rewarding and enriching experience. Here are some practical steps to enhance your reading and aid your understanding of poetry.

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1. READ THE POEM MULTIPLE TIMES

To read and understand anything at all, you should read as many times as possible, this is especially more important when it comes to reading poetry.

Poetry is not meant to be read quickly or in a hurry. You should take your time to ingest and digest every single word, line, and verse like a hearty meal. ​ 

Pay keen attention to the theme, figure of speech, rhythm, rhyme and meter of the poem. The joy of comprehension and the ability to read and retain what is read will be worth every second spent as repeated reading can help you develop a good reading habit which is important for continued learning and personal (mental) ​ development.

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2. FIND THE CENTRAL MESSAGE OF THE POEM

Pay undivided attention to the themes and motifs present in the poem. That's, the center message the poet is trying to communicate. This will help you understand the poet's point of view, opinions and what they are trying to convey. Know that understanding the poet's point of view doesn't stop you from bringing in your own interpretation as the poem resonate with you on a personal level. 

But this should be done carefully, to be able to learn how to tolerate others' opinions for mutual understanding and effective communication. As the popular Yoruba adage says: "It is he that holds the drumming stick that knows the true interpretation of the drumbeat." So you should strive to know what the poet is saying, not what you want him to say.

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3. ANALYZE LITERARY DEVICES

Poets​ use literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, imagery etc. to convey their message. For you to fully understand the poem, you must analyze each literary device employed by the poet and how well it conveys the poet's message.

Failure to do this will cause misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the poem thereby disrupting its true meaning which will lead to misrepresentation of the poet's intention.

For this reason it is very important to pay attention to these devices and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.

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4. CONSIDER THE CONTEXT

While one of the crucial things to do when reading is to look up the meaning of difficult words from the dictionary, that's is not enough to grasp the true meaning of words in a poem. Each word must be interpreted and understood within its historical, cultural and textual context. "

Very bad" can mean in good condition when you check up a dictionary, in the early century or in a particular cultural and textual context but don't be surprised that "very bad" can actually be used to mean something is too good to be true, e.g Mr. Ade bought a "very bad" ​ brand new car (very bad – beautiful or sophisticated car).

In the 14th century or so the word "gay" originally meant (happy or lighthearted) but it gradually came to be associated with homosexuality around the 20th century.

If I say, "you are gay" ( Note: I didn't say you are a Gay) the meaning depends on the historical, cultural and textual context of whatever precedes that phrase).

Understanding the historical, cultural and textual context in which the poem was written can provide valuable insight into its meaning and message. 

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5. CONNECT IT WITH YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES

 Poetry is often deeply personal and can resonate with your own ​ life experiences. Try to connect with the poem on a personal level and consider how it relates to your own life.

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6. LOOK UP THE MEANINGS OF DIFFICULT WORDS IN THE DICTIONARY

Remember this is just a means to an end not an end itself. The context still has to be considered to know the true meaning of each individual word and whether the word has been used as a verb, a noun, an adjective or an adverb.

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7. REVIEW THE TITLE OF THE POEM

As the title can shed more light on the entire message of the poem. You should try and understand the title and review it to see how it correlates to the poem.

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8. GET TO KNOW ABOUT THE POET 

Knowing the cultural background, style of writing, belief and conviction of the poet is a guiding light to what to expect from his poetry.

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9. STUDY THE CHARACTER OF THE POEM

This should not be confused with the poet himself. Just like watching a drama or reading a play, a poet can portray a character in his poem which just does not in any way represent the personality of the poet.

Reading and understanding poetry also have a positive impact on other areas of life. It improves your critical thinking skills, enhances creativity, and provides a deeper understanding and mastery of language for effective ​ communication.

I hope these steps help you in your journey to read,understand and appreciate poetry.

Which of these steps do you find more interesting or challenging?

Have you learned anything new? What other steps do you know that I do not mention, feel free to tell me in the comment section.

© ️The Pioneer Poet Olusegun Ajeyi

Image © Emmanuel Olajide