Focus on Sound and StructureFocus on Sound and Structure

•Notice rhyme patterns and the use of Notice rhyme patterns and the use of sound devicessound devices

•Understand a poem’s rhythmUnderstand a poem’s rhythm•Recognize a poem’s structureRecognize a poem’s structure

““The Sloth” by Theodore RoethkeThe Sloth” by Theodore Roethke

• Organization of LinesOrganization of Lines• ““The Sloth” has four stanzas of three lines each.The Sloth” has four stanzas of three lines each.• Most of the lines in each stanza are the same Most of the lines in each stanza are the same

length.length.• There are four different images, one in each There are four different images, one in each

stanzastanza• Note the use of capital letters to emphasize the Note the use of capital letters to emphasize the

rhyme at the end of lines.rhyme at the end of lines.• Note the way the wordNote the way the word Ex-as-per-at-ing Ex-as-per-at-ing is written. is written.

““The Sloth” The Sloth” bby y Theodore RoethkeTheodore Roethke

• In In moving slowmoving slow he has no he has no Peer.Peer.• You ask him something in his You ask him something in his ear;ear;• He thinks about it for a He thinks about it for a Year;Year;

• And, then, before he says a And, then, before he says a WordWord• There upside down (unlike a There upside down (unlike a BirdBird))• He will assume that you have He will assume that you have HeardHeard——

““The Sloth”The Sloth” by Theodore Roethke by Theodore Roethke

• A most A most Ex-as-per-at-ingEx-as-per-at-ing Lug.Lug.• But should you call his manner But should you call his manner SmugSmug,,• He’ll sigh and give his Branch a He’ll sigh and give his Branch a Hug;Hug;

• Then off again to Then off again to Sleep Sleep he he goes,goes,• Still swaying gently by his Still swaying gently by his Toes,Toes,• And you just And you just knowknow he knows he he knows he knows.knows.

““The Sloth” The Sloth” by Theodore Roethkeby Theodore Roethke

• Repeated SoundsRepeated Sounds• The way a poem sounds can be as important as The way a poem sounds can be as important as

the way it looks.the way it looks.• Listen to “music” of the poem.Listen to “music” of the poem.• Do you notice that certain sounds are repeated?Do you notice that certain sounds are repeated?

• AlliterationAlliteration• ““s” sound: “Then off to s” sound: “Then off to SSleep he goes,leep he goes,

SStill till sswaying gently by waying gently by his Toes.”his Toes.”

““The Sloth”The Sloth” by Theodore Roethke by Theodore Roethke

• RhymeRhyme• The rhyme scheme is the same for all three stanzas:The rhyme scheme is the same for all three stanzas:

• In moving-slow he has no In moving-slow he has no PeerPeer aa• You ask him something in hisYou ask him something in his ear ear;; aa• He thinks about it for a He thinks about it for a YearYear;; aa

• And, then, before he says a And, then, before he says a WordWord bb• There, upside down (unlike a There, upside down (unlike a BirdBird)) bb• He will assume that you have He will assume that you have HeardHeard---- bb

““The Sloth” The Sloth” by Theodore Roethkeby Theodore Roethke

• Rhythm or MeterRhythm or Meter• Each line has :Each line has :

• 4 stressed beats4 stressed beats• 4 unstressed beats4 unstressed beats• 8 syllables8 syllables

• In moving-slow he has no Peer;In moving-slow he has no Peer;

• da da dumdum da da dumdum da da dum dum dada dum dum

• You ask him something in his ear;You ask him something in his ear;

• Da Da dumdum da da dumdum da da dumdum da da dumdum