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| Sunday, 3 October 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
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Understanding poetry by Rohan Jayawardene Words - * Every word is made up of syllables, or "parts"; such as with an-ti-ci-pa-tion. If a slight accent - called Inflection is placed on the first syllable "an" in this word, then it is easier to articulate (pronounce) it by making correct use of the tip of the tongue inside the mouth. * By this method of breaking up every word into syllables, and also placing inflections on some of these syllables, there is better pronunciation and flow. Every word will have a Rhythm and a slight "beat" in it, as in music, while the sentences will come alive.' * It is recommended that when there are three, five or seven syllables, the accent be on the first, third, fifth and seventh; BUT not heavily! Otherwise it is on the second, fourth, sixth and so on when the total number of syllables is an even number. The first accent is usually the strongest. Reading - * Practise reading slowly, with some beat-and-rhythm, for a while. It is NEVER important to get the accents and inflections absolutely perfect! Speech will then be impossible! Instead, as you read and speak with rhythm and style by using this method, stop only at Long words for the purpose of breaking-up and achieving Clarity. Poetry reading - * After learning to read with Rhythmic flow in this manner, it is possible to start off on reading poetry. Herein the matter of Beat-and-Rhythm is indispensable. Or else the poetry is colourless and without interest. For instance: "The boy stood on the burning deck. Whence all but he had fled..." Here, the accent is on the appropriate words such as "boy, burning, all, he, fled". Poetry reading must therefore be done slowly. It is enjoyable. Clarity is the main criterion: (a) accents on appropriate words; (b) inflections on appropriate syllables, especially in long words. Poetry writing - * If you wish to write poetry, it is necessary to read poems, hymns, songs, etc. which have rhythmic flow and perhaps even Rhyme regularly. This will provide the right "instinct" in you to search out a convincing technique. Good English expression will develop (even in other ways) gradually. It helps a lot to work at it daily. * "Rhyming" is to effect at end of each line a similar sound. For instance, take the words: "dream" and "scream". If you write rhyming lines, it could be: "I had a very bad dream that the fridge has no ice cream"! * It is not necessary to be funny, either. For instance: "I got up with a loud scream because I had a bad dream" (Rhymes at end) * If possible, read "The Song of Hiawatha" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Also, the writing of Walter de la Mare and of Robert Burns: and "The Ballad of Reading Gaol (Jail)" by Oscar Wilde. Do remember, the words of a poem will paint a "picture" and are often (at first) difficult to understand unless a full verse, or a section, is read. Then, THINK! For instance: "I am parcelled labelled and classified thus though born of a womb like all of us; I live and love, and shall finally be dead but this Blood, yours and mine, is always Red." (What does this mean when applied to real life?) Writing- The first step is to write four good lines, or even two. It must have good meaning and sense; and also a rise and fall in each line, as a beat-and-rhythm. It need not have any rhyme, because that is a final achievement! It is important to allow your feelings to flow freely: and also to paint any "picture" inside your head (which cannot be accurately stated, otherwise). |
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