TPCASTT
Poetry Analysis
Putting our knowledge to work:
Analyzing the poem Carpe
Diem by Robert Frost
Carpe Diem
By: Robert Frost
TPCASTT
•T-title: The meaning of the title without
reference to the poem. You do this prior to
reading the poem.
▫ What does the title mean?
▫ Given only the title, what do you think the poem
is about?
▫ Does the title convey a specific
message/emotion/connotation?
Now you read the poem.
Carpe Diem
Age saw two quiet children
Go loving by at twilight,
He knew not whether homeward,
Or outward from the village,
Or (chimes were ringing) churchward,
He waited, (they were strangers)
Till they were out of hearing
To bid them both be happy.
'Be happy, happy, happy,
And seize the day of pleasure.'
The age-long theme is Age's.
'Twas Age imposed on poems
Their gather-roses burden
To warn against the danger
That overtaken lovers
From being overflooded
With happiness should have it.
And yet not know they have it.
But bid life seize the present?
It lives less in the present
Than in the future always,
And less in both together
Than in the past. The present
Is too much for the senses,
Too crowding, too confusingToo present to imagine.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/carpe-diem-36/
TPCASTT
•P-paraphrase: In your own words, what does
the poem mean? Do not read into (analyze)
the poem. Only read on the surface level.
▫ What is the Poem about?
▫ What is the Plot?
TPCASTT
•C-connotation: looking for deeper meaning.
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Diction and symbolism
Imagery
Metaphors and similes
Rhyme scheme
End rhymes and internal
rhymes
▫ End stop
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Alliteration
Assonance
Consonance
Mood
Allusions
Punctuation
Personification
Enjambment
• These are the “sticky” words
• Which words stand out to you, or catch your
attention?
TPCASTT
•A-attitude: Looking for the author’s tone. How
is the writer speaking?
▫ Think about the connotations of the words
▫ Does the speaker sound angry? Reminiscent?
Sorrowful?
▫ What emotion is the author conveying to you?
▫ Does there seem to be a sense of urgency in the
message?
TPCASTT
•S-shifts: Looking for shifts in tone, action,
and rhythm. Discuss how the shift(s) affects
the poem. Mark the locations of shifts in the
poem.
▫ Is there a shift in speaker or tone?
▫ Does the time frame (is there a shift in voice
from first to third person?)or location change at
all?
TPCASTT
•T-title: reevaluate the title as it pertains to the
poem
▫ Now that you’ve read the poem, what do you
think the title means?
▫ Did your impression of the title change at all
after reading the poem?
TPCASTT
•T-theme: What does the poem mean? What is
it saying? How does it relate to life?
▫ What message is the author trying to convey?
▫ What is the author telling his/her audience?
Congratulations!!!
You just analyzed a poem!
TPCASTT Example
• T: Carpe Diem –means to seize the day; I expect
that the poem will discuss the idea that the
majority of individuals do not live life to the fullest
TPCASTT Example
• P: Paraphrase—the speaker is Age. He sees two
young lovers go wandering by. Once they are far
enough away that they won’t hear, he wishes them
happiness. Age created the saying “Carpe Diem”
and it’s poetry’s task to warn against not
appreciating life. Many people don’t realize all of
the great things they have because they’re too busy
living in the past.
TPCASTT Example
• C: connotation—”children,” “go loving by,”
“twilight,” “churchward”—marriage?, “bid…both
be,” “Age,” “gather-roses burden,” “danger,” etc.
TPCASTT Example
• A: attitude—Worried, warning, experienced (he
knows what he’s talking about)
TPCASTT Example
• S: shift—”And seize the day of pleasure.' (Shift)
The age-long theme is Age's.”
▫ Shifts from talking about Age as he watches the
young couple, to talking about the phrase Carpe
Diem
TPCASTT Example
• T: Carpe Diem—After reading the poem, the title
still gives me the same impression. We should
appreciate everything that we have; live each day
to the fullest.
TPCASTT Example
• T: theme