How to Write Critical Appreciation of a Poem

 

1. Introduction of the Poem

·         Give the title, poet’s name, and context (literary period, background, etc.).

·         Briefly introduce the subject matter.

Ø  Example:
In William Wordsworth’s “Daffodils”, a simple scene of daffodils blooming in the countryside is transformed into a meditation on the healing power of nature. The poem, a hallmark of Romantic poetry, celebrates the bond between human emotions and the natural world.

2. Theme and Subject Matter

·         What is the poem about?

·         What central ideas does it convey—love, death, nature, identity, spirituality, politics, etc.?

Ø  Example:
The central theme of “Daffodils” is the restorative influence of nature on the human mind. While the poet initially describes the beauty of the flowers, the deeper meaning lies in how the memory of that scene continues to provide joy and solace.

3. Form and Structure

·         Type of poem: sonnet, ode, ballad, free verse, etc.

·         Rhyme scheme, stanzaic pattern, meter.

·         Any structural features (repetition, refrains, shifts in tone).

Ø  Example:
The poem is written in four six-line stanzas (quatrains with couplets) following an ABABCC rhyme scheme. This harmonious structure mirrors the calm and order of nature.

4. Language and Style

·         Diction: simple, complex, archaic, colloquial?

·         Figures of speech: similes, metaphors, personification, symbolism, imagery.

·         Tone: joyful, melancholic, ironic, satirical?

Ø  Example:
Wordsworth personifies the daffodils as “dancing in the breeze,” giving them a life-like quality. The use of visual imagery (“a crowd, a host, of golden daffodils”) creates a vivid picture, while the simile “continuous as the stars that shine” suggests endless beauty.

5. Poetic Devices

·         Sound devices: alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia.

·         Symbolism: what deeper meanings do images carry?

·         Contrast and paradox.

Example:
The alliteration in “beside the lake, beneath the trees” creates a musical effect. The daffodils symbolize joy and harmony, contrasted with the speaker’s initial loneliness.

6. Tone and Mood

·         What emotional atmosphere does the poem create?

·         How does it shift (e.g., from sorrow to joy)?

Ø  Example:
The poem begins with a tone of solitude (“I wandered lonely as a cloud”) but shifts to joy and gratitude as the memory of the daffodils uplifts the poet’s spirit.

7. Personal Interpretation / Critical Evaluation

·         What is the poet’s achievement?

·         How effective is the poem in conveying its message?

·         Relevance for readers today?

Ø  Example:
“Daffodils” remains one of the most enduring Romantic poems because of its universal theme—the healing power of memory and nature. Its simplicity of language, coupled with its deep emotional resonance, ensures that it continues to inspire readers across cultures.