The Language of Contemporary Poetry: A Framework for Poetic Analysis

The book introduces a new way of looking at how poems mean, applying the framework of Critical Stylistics to aesthetic meaning. It aims to empower readers to articulate and explain poetic language's features, working for contemporary poets in English and the UK/Ireland, as well as other eras and cultures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Poems are a form of art that can convey deep meaning and emotion. However, many people struggle to understand the features of poetic language that make these meanings possible. This book introduces a new way of looking at how poems mean, drawing on the framework first developed in the author's book Critical Stylistics but applied here to aesthetic rather than ideological meaning. The aim is to empower readers of poetry to articulate the features of poetic language that they come across and explain to themselves and others why these features convey the meanings that they do. While this volume focuses on contemporary poets writing in English and mostly based in the UK and Ireland, the framework will work just as well for other eras poetry, as well as for other cultures and languages.

The book begins by exploring the basic elements of poetic language, such as rhythm, rhyme, and imagery. It then goes on to discuss how these elements are used to create meaning in poems. For example, rhythm can be used to create a sense of urgency or tension, while rhyme can be used to create a sense of harmony or closure. Imagery can be used to create a vivid and memorable image in the reader's mind.

The book also discusses how poetic language can be used to convey complex ideas and emotions. For example, a poem may use metaphor to compare two seemingly unrelated things, or simile to compare two things that are similar. Poetic language can also be used to create a sense of irony or humor.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of context in understanding poetry. Poems are often written in a specific context, and this context can have a significant impact on the meaning of the poem. For example, a poem written in the 19th century may have a different meaning than a poem written in the 21st century.

The book also discusses the role of the reader in understanding poetry. Readers need to be active participants in the reading process, and they need to be able to engage with the poem on a personal level. This can be done by asking questions about the poem, by making connections between the poem and other texts, and by reflecting on the poem's meaning.

In addition to discussing the features of poetic language, the book also includes a number of examples of contemporary poetry. These examples are chosen to illustrate the different ways that poets use poetic language to convey meaning. The examples include poems by poets such as Seamus Heaney, Sylvia Plath, and T.S. Eliot.

One of the strengths of the book is its clear and concise writing style. The author's writing is easy to understand, and he provides a lot of examples to illustrate his points. The book is also well-organized, and it includes a glossary of terms that are used in the book.

However, there are also some limitations to the book. One of the limitations is that the book focuses primarily on contemporary poets writing in English and mostly based in the UK and Ireland. This means that the book may not be as useful for readers who are interested in other eras of poetry or other cultures and languages.

Another limitation is that the book does not provide a comprehensive overview of the history of poetry. While the book does discuss the basic elements of poetic language, it does not provide a detailed analysis of the different periods of poetry or the different styles of poetry.

Despite these limitations, this book is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in understanding poetry. The book provides a clear and concise explanation of the features of poetic language, and it includes a number of examples of contemporary poetry to illustrate these features. The book is also well-organized and easy to read, and it is a great resource for students and teachers of poetry.

In conclusion, this book introduces a new way of looking at how poems mean, drawing on the framework first developed in the author's book Critical Stylistics but applied here to aesthetic rather than ideological meaning. The aim is to empower readers of poetry to articulate the features of poetic language that they come across and explain to themselves and others why these features convey the meanings that they do. While the book focuses primarily on contemporary poets writing in English and mostly based in the UK and Ireland, the framework will work just as well for other eras poetry, as well as for other cultures and languages. The book is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in understanding poetry, and it is well-organized and easy to read.

Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031097515
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022