To a Butterfly
POETRY ANALYSIS- Andrew Ma
Subject Poem- TO A Butterfly
By William Wordsworth
I've watched you now a full half-hour,
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;
And, little Butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless!---not frozen seas 5
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again !
This plot of orchard-ground is ours; 10
My trees they are, my Sister's flowers;
Here rest your wing when they are weary;
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Come often to us, fear no wrong;
Sit near us on the bough! 15
We'll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days, when we were young;
Sweet childish days, that were as long
As twenty days are now.
Step 1
Title.
The title of this Romantic poem is To A Butterfly, and this title is a straightforward text that is relatively easy to analyze. The reader, upon close and critical inspection of the title, is struck with the simplicity of the title, which may or may not lead into a more deep, figurative meaning of the poem.
~ What mood/tone is already presented by the title?
The reader is intrigued by such a natural and simple title, and is drawn to read more of such a subject. The tone shows an unembellished and nude speaker who is seemingly writing to a butterfly.
~ What is expected to happen?
The reader expects the speaker to communicate and personify a butterfly, initiating a one-sided conversation with nature.
~ What themes are already present?
Romantic themes of nature are already present with the title. The theme of natural personification is revealed as the title forebodes the speaking to a butterfly.
~ What precedent or foundation does the title set for the rest of the poem?
This title sets a precedent for an intimate piece of nature-human correspondence.
Step 2: 2r2sc
After reading the poem, I have pulled together a summary of the most prominent literal and figurative meanings. This will establish a foundation of
Subject Poem- TO A Butterfly
By William Wordsworth
I've watched you now a full half-hour,
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;
And, little Butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless!---not frozen seas 5
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again !
This plot of orchard-ground is ours; 10
My trees they are, my Sister's flowers;
Here rest your wing when they are weary;
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Come often to us, fear no wrong;
Sit near us on the bough! 15
We'll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days, when we were young;
Sweet childish days, that were as long
As twenty days are now.
Step 1
Title.
The title of this Romantic poem is To A Butterfly, and this title is a straightforward text that is relatively easy to analyze. The reader, upon close and critical inspection of the title, is struck with the simplicity of the title, which may or may not lead into a more deep, figurative meaning of the poem.
~ What mood/tone is already presented by the title?
The reader is intrigued by such a natural and simple title, and is drawn to read more of such a subject. The tone shows an unembellished and nude speaker who is seemingly writing to a butterfly.
~ What is expected to happen?
The reader expects the speaker to communicate and personify a butterfly, initiating a one-sided conversation with nature.
~ What themes are already present?
Romantic themes of nature are already present with the title. The theme of natural personification is revealed as the title forebodes the speaking to a butterfly.
~ What precedent or foundation does the title set for the rest of the poem?
This title sets a precedent for an intimate piece of nature-human correspondence.
Step 2: 2r2sc
After reading the poem, I have pulled together a summary of the most prominent literal and figurative meanings. This will establish a foundation of