Literature notes-S2-Chap VI

CLASS: SENIOR TWO

        COURSE CONTENTS

UNIT I: KEY ASPECTS OF PROSE
UNIT II: SUBJECT, THEMES AND MESSAGES
UNIT III: LITERARY DEVICES AND AUDIENCE
UNIT IV: BALLADS
UNIT V: POETIC DEVICES
UNIT VI: SUBJECT, THEME AND CONTEXT
UNIT VII: DRAMATIC TECHNIQUES
UNIT VIII: SUBJECT MATTER, THEME AND MESSAGE
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UNIT VI: SUBJECT, THEME AND CONTEXT

        VI.1. SUBJECT

In poetry, just like in prose, subject is a topic which acts as a foundation for a literary work. It is the subject which makes a poet write a poem. It is what something is about. Simply, it is an inspiration that makes you write anything.

VI.2. THEME

It is an opinion expressed on the subject or the central/ main idea of the poem. Thus, a poet might for instance have corruption as the subject of his or her poem. He/she might choose condemning this vice as his/her theme. For more

       VI.3. CONTEXT

In poetry, context refers to the prevailing conditions and circumstances that inspire a poet to compose a poem. It is also a circumstance in which an event occurs.

Generally, context refers to the whole situation, background or environment relevant to a particular event. For more

•  So as to identify the theme of a poem, you must look at the subject of the poem. Pay attention to what the poet says about the subject. The poet will keep on repeating his views on the subject throughout the poem. This is what will make the theme take its place as the central idea in the poem.
• In poetry, poets draw themes from the prevailing cultural trends, historical events and other experiences.
• Though there are hundreds of different popular poetry themes, several concepts have endured across ages, forms, and cultural divisions. Love, nature, history, religion, and death are some of the most common poetry.