'Poetry' by Marianne Moore Analysis

In the poem, Moore dissects the meaning and understanding of poetry. She tries to make a point of the importance and usefulness of poetry to a person. There is the mention that most people do not take the time to appreciate something of they do not understand it. From research on this poet, I have discovered that she has a unique writing style that she is referencing in the poem. There are a few images in her poem like when she writes, “Hands that can grasp, eyes that can dilate, hair that can rise…” Another example of imagery is, “elephants pushing, a wild horse taking a roll, a tireless wolf under a tree…” There are also other poetic elements in this poem as well as images.

This poem really contains the main theme of the nature of people. She describes a stereotypical view that people do not take the time to appreciate and understand things. The poem honestly causes me a lot of confusion, which is why I picked it.

Essay author

Tutor Amia

Verified writer

4.8 (191)

“ Amia, is the first writer who has written my paper and I felt confident. My paper was due the following day ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire Tutor Amia

I do not know how to get a full understanding of anything in this poem, especially things such as themes and allusions so I do not really have anything to say about either of those things so I am going to move on.

There is one piece of irony I found in this poem. Her first line, “I too dislike it; there are things that are important beyond all this fiddle,” is an example of irony in her poem. For she is a poet sharing her negative opinion of poetry, I am assuming.

The tone of this poem seems to be slightly melancholy for most of it.