An Analysis Of Billy Collins's Introduction To Poetry

Author Billy Collins, in the poem “Introduction to Poetry” renowned professor and writer, has defined ways to explore poetry in an enjoyable and unique way. Is it necessary to "explore" a poem to understand it? Indeed, it is this sense of excitement and exploration that the speaker and, apparently, Collins want to instill in the students when they look at poems. The theme is structured around, how poetry must be experienced and explored rather than beaten, to get the true meaning and deeper understanding. The poem is written in stanza from and does not have a rhyming scheme, but has plenty of similes and metaphors to set the tone. It’s clear that the poem is written from the poet’s point of view, revealed in line 1, where “1” is referring

Collins choice of language “hive” brings tension and drama to this line. He produces an image of one exploring by listening to a “hive”, a metaphor for sound in poetry. Collins wants his students to listen to the words in the poem. You will notice the constant “S” sounds and a projecting “V” sound as you read line 4 out loud, hearing the rhythmical feel of the buzzing sound, “preSS an ear againSt itS hive”. It’s clear that this is an intriguing thought; every word at work, could be viewed as an individual working

The” teacher” wants his “student” to explore by using their imagination and think of a poem as something you can get inside and explore. Such as a mouse exploring a maze and searching “his way out”. The dynamics change, because now as students, they are “walk[ing] inside the poem’s room”/” …feel[ing] the walls for a light switch. Rooms translated in Italian means stanza. He is asking his students to explore and experience each room searching for enlightens. The language used for line 5-8 produces a sense of lost, uncertainty and frustration, but at the same time you feel some