ENGL 2003: Introduction to Poetry

Synecdoche is how we understand, comprehend our thoughts to be expressed when we speak, something generally common in its way that can be recognized as the complete . For example when we say “She’s such a brain”, meaning she is extreamly intelligent. Metonymy is describing one thing with another that is associated with the object, like when kids describe dogs saying “bow-wow”. Can anyone find a better way to simplify the definition of Synecdoche, and Metonymy or find more vibrant examples to help distinguish these two very similar but distinctive words?

Using symbols that represent something far greater than what is just plainly seen from the outside, that with better understanding of what it generally represents or why it was used, brings out a greater meaning to the poem than just words that were just simply put together. The poem by Thomas Centolella:

” The heart” this, “the heart” that-

I need something more capacious and durable

I need desert, I need ocean, I need a range

of mountains….

Since Centolella is the “heart” in his poem he does not literally mean his physical heart, its more of the human need to represent love, something that is not a solid object that can be bought at stores, but can anyone help describe his meaning of the “heart”? He also mentions that he wants something”more capacious and durable”, and then further in his poem describes “…desert”, “…ocean”, “…range of mountains”. In mentioning the heart first and his request for something more “capacious and durable” meaning he wants love that last and has no limit. Then if compared to deserts, mountains, and oceans; these natural objects that have been around since the formation of earth, in his poem he seeks love that is naturally sparked and that will last for years. If anyone has their own way of pointing better or different symbols/meaning of the symbols in this poem? Does anyone agree to what I have pointed out, please elaborate in your response?

In a poem by Red Hawk, mentions “the wind carries wolf”. Realistically no an actual wind cannot carry a whole wolf, but the wind can signify destiny and the wolf a person perhaps . This means that a person is always being moved by destiny, even when things don’t seem to be. The wind can also be soul or spirit that makes up a person who they are. The spirit of a fighter or warrior cannot be broken and this makes the person strong in battle or when dealing with a matter that a test to a person. Have I made myself clear or can anyone help attribute to what I am saying?

In the reading itself the author mentioned how a symbol can be use to better help understand while also envoking more of a reaction. He even mention how a rose can be use as a symbol and gave an example. This link as well as the Poems listed below are other  examples of how a rose was use as a symbol. The same object is use by different poets to reinforced meaning.

“A Sick Rose” by William Blake, 1794

Rose, thou art sick!

The invisible worm

That flies in the night,

In the howling storm,

Has found out thy bed

Of crimson joy:

And his dark secret love

Does thy life destroy.

“A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns, 1869

O, my luve’s like a red, red rose

That’s newly sprung in June

O, my luve’s like the melodie

That’s sweetly play’d in tune

As fair art thou, my bonie lass

So deep in luve am I

And I will luve thee still, my Dear

Till a’ the seas gang dry

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my Dear

And the rocks melt wi’ the sun!

O I will luve thee still, my Dear

While the sands o’ life shall run

And fare the weel, my only love!

And fare the well awhile!

And I will come again, my love.

Tho it were ten thousand mile!

“One Perfect Rose” by Dorothy Parker, 1926

A single flow’r he sent me, since we met.

All tenderly his messenger he chose;

Deep-hearted, pure, with scented dew still wet —

One perfect rose.

I knew the language of the floweret;

“My fragile leaves,” it said, “his heart enclose.”

Love long has taken for his amulet

One perfect rose.

Why is it no one ever sent me yet

One perfect limousine, do you suppose?

Ah no, it’s always just my luck to get

One perfect rose.

http://brainstorm-services.com/wcu-2005/pdf/symbol-poems.pdf

The definition of Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part is substituted for a whole or a whole for a part. Now that definition confused me but once i got to reading the chapter i understood it a little better. Heres an example i came up with; “The world treated him badly.” The whole world did not treat him badly only a part did. The whole is used as the part.  I had trouble finding examples of Synecdoche in the poems, What examples of synecdoche were you able to find?

Metonymy is a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part of. Like “a bottle” can be used for a “drink.” On page 47 it explains how shakespeare used metonymy to “that kings, scholars, and physicians must die in time” He calls them other names and states “come to dust” as a symbol of their “death”.
What other examples of metonymy were you able to find?

A symbol is “an image that stands for more than it denotes literally.” (page 49) Poets soemtimes use small symbols in their poems to portray a larger picture. On page 54, in the poem “The Sick Rose” by William Blake, where the Rose was the symbol of a love, that was getting “sick” by an invisible worm that was infecting it with darkness. “O Rose, thou art sick! The invisible worm That flies in the night, In the howling storm.”
Do you think symbolism is a great way for poets to discreetly send a message to their readers?

*This has been a Seeker Post*

This link to an English project by a student, Brandon Toa, is a collection of Synecdoches & Metonymies. When talking about Synecdoches, his video clips will present something mentioned that is a physical part of someone or thing. As he discusses Metonymies, his clips will mention an action or thing that is associated with, but still separate from, the person or thing possessing sed action or thing.

                This is a seeker post that attempts to clarify the differences between metonymy and synecdoche. In chapter three of our text entitled “The Broken Coin: The Use of Symbol”, symbolism is introduced and these two subjects are discussed. I found these two concepts to be slightly confusing and similar in some ways. The link provided below has helped me to further understand this information by providing real life scenarios along with definitions. Our book does not clearly define metonymy, it states that it’s “so close it overlaps” and provides examples. Synecdoche is defined by our text as “a part for the whole”. The link provided will take you to a web page entitled Connections which is a hypertext resource for literature. This page provides a clear definition of metonymy and gives a brief explanation of how it differs from a metaphor. The real life scenarios provided by this link focuses on how the media attempts to use metonymy to influence and persuade their viewers. One example given pertained to how companies use sex and beautiful people to sell their products. I could relate to this example easily and one company that came to mind was the makers of Axe and their commercials. Almost every commercial involves a man using the spray and girls flocking to him immediately because of the scent……….REALLY! I can’t believe that guys would actually buy this product due to the belief that girls will want them, but their use of metonymy is successful and makes their product memorable. The webpage continues on to discuss synecdoche and uses politics to further enlighten the reader. I found the page to be helpful to me, has it been useful to you? Has it made these topics comprehensible and easier to spot in poetry and everyday life?

http://www.math.grin.edu/~simpsone/Connections/Poetry/Terms/tropes3.html

Poetry — Song

formal structures
haikus
chorus/hook –
repetition
verses

Hi All,

BAM — the Brooklyn Academic of Music — is having a one-night only poetry performance in March that some of you might be interested in. If you are, please let me know in the comments — maybe we can set this up as an optional class trip.

Poetry 2012: Grand Slam!

Part of the 2012 Winter/Spring Season

Fri, Mar 9 at 7:30pm

Directed by Monica Williams

In this special one-night-only performance, BAM welcomes some of the best poets, beatboxers, and hip-hop artists in the industry. Poetry 2012: Grand Slam!—a spin-off of BAM’s consistently sold-out annual schooltime event, Expression in the Right Direction—showcases the world of spoken word in a dynamic crossgenerational, multicultural, and interdisciplinary program. Hosted by two of hip-hop’s best-known artists—international emcee Baba Israel, who has been featured on MTV, BET, and VH1, and DJ Reborn, who has spun live for artists such as The Roots, Common, India Arie, Will Power, and John Legend—the show’s theme this year is Grand Slam!

BAM Harvey Theater
1hr 30min
Tickets start at $10