Rita Dove
Former Poet Laureate of the United States
Very often, people who are not familiar with poetry, or don't know much about it, are operating out of fear. At some point in their life, they've been given a poem to interpret and told, "That was the wrong answer." You know. I think we've all gone through that. I went through that. And it's unfortunate that sometimes in schools -- this need to have things quantified and graded -- we end up doing this kind of multiple choice approach to something that should be as ambiguous and ever-changing as life itself. So I try to ask them, "Have you ever heard a good joke?" If you've ever heard someone tell a joke just right, with the right pacing, then you're already on the way to the poetry. Because it's really about using words in very precise ways and also using gesture as it goes through language, not the gesture of your hands, but how language creates a mood. And you know, who can resist a good joke? When they get that far, then they can realize that poetry can also be fun.
Choose one of the following research projects to express your ideas:
Research poets who write humorous or story poems. Create a three-page web site that explores the way poems can use humor and storytelling to teach us about ourselves - a "poems can be fun" site!
Create a database of poets write humorous poems and/or poems that tell an unforgettable story.
Select a period in American history such as the Revolutionary War or the Gold Rush. Research the poets and poetry that told the story of these events. Create an oral presentation for the class that presents an historical event through the works of poets of that time.
Research Challenge
Rita Dove is not always happy with the way poetry is taught. She complains that students are asked to give their interpretation or understanding of a poem as if there is a right or wrong answer. She believes the fear of failure can take the joy out of reading and studying poetry. But poetry can be fun. In fact, some poems are actually funny. Some poems tell a story much like a joke does. Poems can also tell a tale which includes an unforgettable punch line.
RESEARCH FOCUS
Humor and Poetry
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Use the following research questions to get started. Add your own throughout the
research process.
1. Have you ever read poems that made you laugh? How are they like reading a joke?
2. How do poets tell a story? What poem have you read that told a story in a way that you eager to
find out how it would end?
3. Have you ever written a story poem? A humorous poem? What was it about? Who was the poet?
