How to Read Poetry Like a Professor

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From the bestselling author of How to Read Literature Like a Professor comes an essential guide to enjoying poetry, from Lord Byron to the Beatles. Poetry is both admired and feared; its rich history and emotional depth captivate many, yet its complexity can intimidate readers. Most of us first encountered poetry in beloved children's books, but as our reading shifted to prose, poetry became less familiar and more daunting. However, it doesn't have to be overwhelming. In an engaging voice, Thomas C. Foster helps readers conquer their fear of poetry and rediscover its joys. The book explores a diverse range of poets, including Shakespeare, Edna St. Vincent Millay, E.E. Cummings, and Seamus Heaney, teaching readers how to grasp a poem's primary meaning and appreciate its technical elements—meter, diction, rhyme, and structure. Foster encourages readers to view these elements as allies in understanding poetry. He also emphasizes the importance of listening for a poem's secondary meanings and recognizing the musicality in both poems and songs. With this guide, readers can unlock the rewards of poetry and enjoy its beauty once more.