TITLE: Predict the meaning of
the poem based on the title.
ANSWER:
A being or something that is
injured either physically or emotionally.
Based on the picture, a dog?
PARAPHRASE: Put into your own words
the meaning of the poem.
ANSWER: My dog has a bad leg and
hobbles; I wanted a strong dog, a leader,
one that was graceful, but he is slow and
clumsy. I am too proud to admit that he is
mine. But when he shows me love, I
forget about his imperfections and my ego.
Connotation: Highlight words you see as
important. What ideas or feelings are
associated with the words or phrases?
ANSWER: hobbles, rickety, little canine, club
foot, stumbler, abnormal, feeble have
connotations of being broken or useless.
savage grace, gait leader, brutal hunter have
connotation of strength and power.
Connotation: Highlight words you see as
important. What ideas or feelings are
associated with the words or phrases?
ANSWER: my vain heart weeps connotes
selfishness
Imperfection is forgotten connotes
resilience and forgiveness
ATTITUDE: What is the speaker’s attitude toward
the subject or situation?
ANSWER: The speaker starts with a negative
tone toward his dog. Then he SHIFTS into a
hopeful yet also selfish tone. He quickly
SHIFTS again to the reality of what his dog is
and picks up his negative tone again. In the
end, he returns to a loving tone.
SHIFT: Are there shifts in speaker
or in the speaker’s attitude?
ANSWER: There are shifts in
ATTITUDE, not speaker. LINE 4
(and), Line 14 (but) and Line 23
(but).
TITLE: Look at the title again.
How have your ideas about the
meaning of the title changed?
ANSWER: We now know it is
about a pet and its owner.
THEME: What is author saying?
What is his comment on his subject?
What is the overall message?
ANSWER: Unconditional love means
looking past imperfections. Heroism is
the ability to inspire and put the needs
of a loved one over your own.