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Steps to Find the Main Idea of a Poem
Here are Eight steps you can follow to identify the Main Idea of a poem.
- Read the Poem
Read the poem carefully and pay attention to its language and imagery.
- Find out the Repeated Ideas
Look for any patterns or repeated ideas in the poem.
- Get the Poem Tone
Consider the tone of the poem. Is it serious or lighthearted? Is it hopeful or despairing?
- Appeal to Emotions
Think about the emotions and feelings the poem evokes in you.
- Take out the Poem Subject
Consider the subject matter of the poem. What is the poem about?
- Pick out the Collective Message
Reflect on the overall message or insight that the poem seems to be conveying.
- Know the Poem Context
It may also be helpful to consider the context in which the poem was written, such as the time period, the poet’s life experiences, and any historical or cultural events that may have influenced the poem.
- Identify the Main Theme
The theme is the major message or sense that the poem is trying to communicate.
I hope these steps are helpful as you try to identify the main idea of a poem. Let me know if you have any further questions or need more guidance.
Determine the Main Idea of the Poem
One way to determine the main idea of a poem is to identify its theme. The theme is the central message or insight that the poem is trying to convey. It may be stated directly or it may be implied through the images, symbols, and ideas presented in the poem.
Sample Poem
Here is a sample poem:
“The Wind’s Song
The wind sings through the trees,
A soft and mournful tune.
It tells of distant lands and seas,
And of the waning moon.
It whispers secrets in my ear,
Of love and loss and pain.
It carries me away from here,
On wings of driving rain.
The wind’s song is one of sorrow,
Of all the things we leave behind.
But it is also one of hope,
For all the joy we may yet find.”
BY SHIRLEY ERENA MURRAY
Reflect to Find the Main Idea
To extract the main idea of this poem, we can follow the steps I mentioned earlier:
- Read the poem carefully and pay attention to its language and imagery.
- Look for any patterns or repeated ideas in the poem.
- Consider the tone of the poem. Is it serious or lighthearted? Is it hopeful or despairing?
- Think about the emotions and feelings the poem evokes in you.
- Consider the subject matter of the poem. What is the poem about?
- Reflect on the overall message or insight that the poem seems to be conveying.
Based on these steps, we can identify the theme of the poem as the passage of time and the changes it brings, both positive and negative.
Main Idea of The Wind’s Song
The wind represents the passing of time, and its song speaks of both the things we leave behind and the hope for joy in the future. This is the main idea or theme of the poem.
