Iambic pentameter. Enjambment. Synecdoche. With these literary devices, along with the archaic language that poems may apply, students too often groan over the mention of poetry in the English curriculum. Instead, students should learn to embrace the intrinsic value of these written works by engaging with them and using poetry as an avenue to connect the past with the present.
To begin, poetry can be an opportunity to seek connections when viewing the past through the lens of the present. Poems can also be influenced by their historical context: for example, the novel “The Great Gatsby” is integrated into the sophomore year English curriculum and encourages students to consider a novel with its Roaring 20’s setting. In AP Literature, students learn about how Modernist poetry is characterized by a sense of disillusionment in the wake of rapid industrialization. These historical contexts can often reflect today, and reading poetry can help students better understand the value in examining the past in an attempt to better understand the present.
“A lot of the problems that they faced in the past, even if technology wasn’t the same, or if we weren’t living in the exact same globalized world, the human condition has been similar for a really long time,” English teacher Alexandra Carino said. “I think there’s always value in these inspirations and themes that can still exist today. We can look to how they navigated it and relate, or potentially look for guidance on ‘how should I feel about this?’”
Students’ complaints regarding poetry include how comprehending the speaker’s intended message can be difficult, freshman Sophia Rhim said. English teacher Christina Han said that this aspect of poetry contributes to students’ fear of these literary works.
“In terms of patterns that I’ve noticed, I think that many times when I introduce poetry, whether it’s in freshman year or sophomore year, there’s this first general sigh of ‘oh, why are we studying poetry? I don’t like poetry. It’s too difficult,’” Han said. “So it starts off with kind of like a disdain or kind of like a fear of poetry.”
Carino said she fears that this pressure to fully understand a poem undermines the fun nature of engaging with these works. With poetry’s expressive and craftsmanship characteristics, comprehending the works without the pressure of English class may help, according to Carino. Additionally, while poetry is not widely recognized and appreciated among students, exposing oneself to these works can be an avenue to open one’s emotions, according to senior Aliana Khan. Through this exposure, students can find opportunities for self-reflection.
“I think initially it brings catharsis, and that can be overwhelming,” Khan said. “But then after a while, being in tune with your own emotions also brings you peace, and I think more people need that in a time where everyone is stressed about college and their careers and other things. It’s really important to be able to reflect on how you feel internally.”
Students can familiarize themselves with poetry by exposing themselves to more poetry outside of the classroom such as as signing up for an email newsletter featuring a poem each day, Carino said.
By taking an extra step and consciously realizing the significance of poetry, students should acknowledge the significance of poetry in understanding the past in the present, partaking in the opportunity to examine parallels in history while embracing inspiration from these works.
