HOW TO

ANALYZE A
POEM
I. Title
a.) What does the title tell?
b.) How does the title help in our
understanding of the poem?

II. Word Meaning

a.) List any unfamiliar words. Look up their
denotative meanings in dictionary.
b.) Consider connotations of naming words,
describing words and action words.
III. Imagery
a.) List as many images as you can.
b.) Tell which particular sense (sight, sound,
feel, taste, smell) the things appeal to.
c.) What does each image suggest?
d.) Which are pleasant? Unpleasant? Why?

IV. Symbols
a.) List any words which you think may be
symbols.
b.) Tell what the symbols may stand for.
V. Figure of Speech
a.) Point out the figures of speech.
b.) Explain the figures that convey ideas most clearly
and forcefully.
c.) List any figure of speech in the poem that you
have heard in everyday speech.

VI. Sound
a.) Are there any imitative words whose echo of the
sense, such as a hiss, clap, bang?
b.) Are there any examples of alliteration?
c.) Are there any harsh words or line? Explain why
they are used.
VII. Rhyme
a.) Is end-of-line rhyme used?
b.) Label the rhyme pattern.
c.) Is the rhyme pattern regular?

VIII. Rhythm
a.) Is the rhythm regular in each line?
b.) Point out instances of movement being: slow,
dignified, solemn; light, swift, rippling, varied,
irregular, uneven.
c.) Explain why the rhythm changes if it does.
d.) How does the rhythm aid the mood of the poem?
IX. Theme
a.) What purpose does the poem serve?
b.) Is the purpose stated or suggested? If
stated, where?
c.) How would you connect the imagery and
tone with the theme?
MOTHER’S
BREAK
By: Merlinda C. Bobis
Dr. Merlinda Carullo Bobis
• a contemporary
Philippine-Australian
writer and academic.
• born in Legaspi City,
in the Philippines
province of Albay.
• published novels,
short stories, dramas
and poems.
Dr. Merlinda Carullo Bobis
• Bachelor of Arts (Summa
cum Laude), Aquinas
University of Legazpi
1980.
• Doctorate of Creative
Arts, University of
Wollongong 1995.
• Master of Arts in
Literature, University of
Santo Tomas Manila
1987.
Merlinda Carullo Bobis's Works:
 Poetry 

Rituals: Selected poems, 1985-1990. (1990) 

Summer was a Fast Train without Terminals. (Melbourne: Spinifex,
1998) 

 Short Stories 

White Turtle. (Melbourne: Spinifex, 1999) 

The Kissing (Aunt Lute, 2001)
 
 Novels 

Banana Heart Summer (Murdoch Books, 2005) 

The Solemn Lantern Maker (Sydney: Murdoch Books, 2008) 
Fish-hair Woman (North Melbourne: Spinifex, 2011)
 Mother’s Break
warmest noons when she feels Breathlessly
breathlessly - panting or gasping
for breath
wedged between sink and bed, Wedged
she rips off - force into a narrow
space
apron and womb to strike a regal
Rips off
pose - a theft or cheat
under the infinity of strings of Regal
wash. -relating to a king;
 royal
drenched in midday glow, her
Drench
colors show - to wet thoroughly; 
soak
 Mother’s Break
beyond her husband’s myth— Myth
wife, woman, - a widely held but
false belief or idea
whore at times—but she is real
Housegown
now!
-  a dress with simple
stretching back and life in her lines that is suitable
thin housegown for housework 
which missed its print of roses  Non-fiction
long ago, - fact, real
she affirms her non-fictionness
 Mother’s Break
to sunlight, she sniffs rather Airily
airily, - lightly; 
delicately
and stamps her foot, perking
Perk
up her ears
- become more
to hear the earth resounding — cheerful, lively, or
oh, but interesting
the roast is burning, and the Howling
youngest - producing a long,
loud, doleful cry or
howling above the husband’s wailing sound.
hungry call!
 Mother’s Break
how well they learn their cues, Cue
she sighs, - signal, sign
flushed roses suddenly and Audition
hurrying, - tryout, trial

aproned with her womb again,

she rushes back
to them, to all of them
auditioning for love.
 End
Thank You
for
Listening 