Writing Poetry (Set of 4 Books)

Block 1 deals with theme-the central or dominating idea of any literary composition. It identifies for you the four possible areas in which poetry can be written. Unit 1 deals with 'Personae', the first of these. The narrator's 'voice' that is often heard in a poem is the mask put on by the poet to depersonalise himself and intensify and universalise his experience. This narrator is the persona. Often a poem exists because of the 'persona' or narrator. Unit 2 deals with the theme of nature poetry. If you are a lover of nature and nature arouses some emotion or sentiments in you, then you may choose themes from nature. Unit 3 tells you that if sociological issues move you and you want to write poetry on contemporary issues, then you can opt for sociological themes. Unit 4 is about romantic themes. Most budding poets would like to try their hand at this but read the Unit carefully, first, to see if you can do justice to the theme.

This Block deals with certain structural problems in writing poetry. These problems pertain primarily to the difficult task of organising one's material. Unit 1, for example, is concerned with where to begin a poem - and how. It is obvious that if the opening line/lines do not immediately engage the reader's attention, the poem has failed to take off. In this Unit, we will discuss several forms of dramatic opening which should help a potential poet to begin his. poem effectively. The next Unit (Unit 2) takes up another aspect of the poetic process - the imperative need to develop the central theme organically. A poem-is not a jumble of ideas, or a conglomeration of disparate themes. Every successful poem is basically concerned with carrying the central idea forward from the beginning to the end. Unit 3 defines climax as a crucial point in the progression of the central theme. If a poem is an artefact, a skilfully crafted piece, it must move towards a climactic point (climax) after which it climbs down to some kind of resolution (denouement). Finally, a learner must know how to end his poem, since both opening and ending are fundamental to every successful poem. If it begins dramatically, it should also end dramatically.

Blocks 1 and 2 introduced you to two key features of poetry-themes and structure. Block 3 discusses 'imagery and symbols, Used effectively, they help realize increased depth, concentration and imaginative significance of what is presented in a poem. Unit 1 'Symbols' introduces you to the use of symbols in literature, especially poetry. A symbol helps the poet to express complex, mixed or intense feelings. Since a poem is essentially a symbolic mode of expression it is through symbols alone that a poet articulates his feelings. They should, however', be used judiciously, because their excessive use can also harm a poem, dissipate its impact on the reader's mind. Unit 2 is concerned with 'Images'-all poetry works through images. It is through images that a poet depersonalises and universalises his experience. No matter how personal an account, a poetic statement, because it works in and through images, becomes a general statement. An image thus acts as an interface between the reader and the poet. Unit 3 'The Use of Metaphor in Poetry' explains in what way metaphoric language is the language of poetry. You will begin to understand how metaphor controls the structure and meaning of a poem. Unit 4 'Avoiding Cliches' will remind you that certain phrases and expressions have become hackneyed through overuse and should be avoided 'like the plague'(!). However, this Unit will also tell you how to use language, even cliches, in original ways.

Unit I, 'Diction', the first unit of this Block on 'Language and Rhythm' brings out the importance of words in building up a poetic meaning. You should be aware of the different shades of meaning, usage and tone when you attempt to write a meaningful poem. Poetry does not arise and exist in a vacuum-it emerges from the experiences of everyday life. Therefore colloquialism (which is everyday spoken language) is an appropriate medium to establish a harmony between the form and content of a poem. In Unit 2, you will be told how and when colloquialisms are valid and how they can be used judiciously to prevent their abuse. Unit 3 introduces you to the metrical patterns of poetry and what deviations have occurred in recent poetry, and why Adequate examples have been given to explain these developments. Unit 4 brings out these innovative trends in Indian Writing in English with reference to its European origins.