S07_250_Grp5

=Collins Group 5= = =

**“Introduction to Poetry” by Billy Collins**
Lines 12-14: “But all they want to do / is tie the poem to a chair with rope / and torture a confession out of it.”

Expert move #1: identify & excerpt the figurative language
In the poem “Introduction to Poetry”, Billy Collins writes, “But all they want to do / is tie the poem to a chair with rope / and torture a confession out of it.” (12-14)

This passage uses metaphors to describe the relationship of poetry and its’ readers. While a poem could technically be tied to a chair, it is safe to assume that this is Collins’ way of comparing poetry to a person being held captive and denied freedom. A second comparison is established with his deliberate mention of the method of restraint: rope. If the poem represents a person being tied to a chair, then the rope is a metaphor for devices such as intentional fallacy that readers use to restrict the potential of a poem.

This passage is also an example of imagery as Collins appeals to our visual sense by creating the image of “[torturing] a confession out of it” (14). This image is dependent on the previous metaphors, but most importantly, his choice of the verb “torture” creates a vivid vision of the forceful action.

Expert move #2: explain the comparison
The verb “tie” has a denotative understanding of restricting or limiting the movement of an object. This restraint can also be used to assist in controlling or manipulating the object. This definition helps to support the comparison ("tie the poem to a chair") made between the literal and figurative restraint of the poem (13).

The poem is not just tied down, but it is tied “to a chair” (13). A chair is defined as “a seat…usually having four legs for support…often having rests for the arms” (Webster’s 131). This definition describes an object that fits a general mold for a persons comfort and convenience.

As stated in the Oxford American Dictionary, torture is “the action or practice of inflicting severe pain on someone as punishment or to force them to do or say something or for the pleasure of the person inflicting the pain.” Torture is not an organized or analytical method of extracting information. It is a violent, forceful action used by the torturer in an attempt to gain something (i.e. information). This forceful word goes a long way toward describing the passion the speaker has for seeing poetry respected and appreciated the way it is meant to be.

Another key word is "confession". A confession can be defined as an admission or disclosure of information (14). Often, that information is thought to be a secret truth. Unlike the words "meaning" or "interpretation", confession implies the existence of only one answer.

Expert move #3: unpack the figurative meanings

 * “they want to do”**

This opening line of the stanza would be easy to overlook as it doesn’t seem to have much impact other than to make reference to the reader. However, the simple words have connotations that put the following lines into perspective. First we notice that “they want” to carry out the abuse that is described (12). This reference leads the reader away from any thought that the mistreatment and misunderstandings of poetry are accidental or merely a side effect of ignorance. Furthermore, the line breaks after the word “do” (12). This break draws attention to the action taken by “[them]” (12).


 * “tie the poem to a chair”**

The immediate implications of this line are that the poem is simply being restrained against its will. Tying the poem up to a chair is like capturing it and taking its freedom to speak. In doing so, the poem will not be able to show its underlying meaning to the reader. Not only is the poem tied down, but it tied to an object; specifically, a chair. A chair is widely recognized as an object that fits a general mold of a seat, legs, and arms. Tying the poem to the chair suggests not only confining it, but also trying to make it fit into a preconceived mole of what a poem should be.


 * “with rope”**

If tying the poem down represents the restrictions placed on poetry then the “rope” is a direct metaphor of the methods used by readers to create the restrictions. Poor attitudes, ill-conceived assumptions, and intentional fallacy are just a few examples of the potential devices used (intentionally or not) that limit the possibilities of a poem.


 * “torture a confession out of it”**

Since one can not physically torture a poem, it is a fair conclusion that this is a metaphor for the abuse and mistreatment of poetry. Torture is such an aggressive and violent act that it conjures up images of anger or contempt toward the poem. This could be in reference to the person who keeps rereading the poem and “torturing” it in order to understand the subtext. In this way, many people can become frustrated with trying to find the subtextual meanings even to the point that they actually turn their negative feelings toward the poem and begin to believe it is the poems fault for being to difficult to understand.

Expert move #4: re-contextualize within the whole poem
In the previous lines of the poem, the speaker is describing what he desires for those who are being introduced to literature. He wants them to “hold it up to the light” (2) and “press an ear up against to its hive” (4). He realizes the complexity of poems and sees that as its beauty. This however, can be very challenging to those first being introduced to literature, and it can be turned into feelings of resentment to the poem. Lines 12-14 serve as a reflection of the speaker’s feelings of how a poem should not be treated. This feeling is supported by the word “But”, which is a word used to show contrast (12). This word also serves a change in the mood of the poem. The first eleven lines are positive and filled with light hearted suggestions. Starting in line twelve, the mood becomes negative and violent which is useful in portraying what the speaker sees as the wrong approach in a negative light.

3-Sentence Summary
By closely analyzing the use of metaphors and imagery we see that the speaker describes the difficulties that come along with reading poetry and his frustrations with the abuse of such a beautiful art. The speaker is unhappy about the use of “violence” that stems from unnecessary frustration caused by trying to force meanings from a poem. In the lines prior to this stanza, the speaker offers his solutions to this frustration by suggesting several creative ways to analyze and gain from poetry.

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