Although our 200-level courses are not really intended as introductory literature courses, I realize that many of you have not had much formal introduction, and don't really know what, exactly, you're supposed to be doing. Here are a few of the basics. Literature differs from other writing in that its worth is not judged by its usefulness, but rather by the enjoyment we get out of it. But don't expect to get it all on one quick reading. Most of us have to reread these things, occasionally several times.
Poetry often needs to be read aloud.
See what happens to your understanding of the poem when you read it aloud to yourself or to a classmate or friend, or someone else reads it to you. If so, see if you can identify the allusions. This does NOT mean, however, that anyone's opinion about a work is as good as anyone else's. Send comments or suggestions to the author of this page, Glenn Everett.