Home > Literature Group > Question and Answer

Question:

Answers:

1. 
   bullgatortail Teacher
   High School - 12th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   Most poems are probably better served and understood when read aloud. For example, meter can often be better distinguished when audibly sounded (example: Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven"); the same can be said of poetry whose specific wordplay is a dominant motivating factor (example: Poe's onomatopoeic and diacopic use in "The Bells"). The poems of e. e. cummings are a challenge whether read audibly or silently, though responses to an audible reading are usually widespread; the interpretation of breaks in grammar and punctuation are also a test for any reader. The conclusion of both "Buffalo Bill's" and "next to of course god america i" are cases in point, asking satirical questions that beg for an answer of similar retort.

   Sources:

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bells

   Rate answer:

   • Flag as inappropriate

   Posted by bullgatortail on Sunday October 11, 2009 at 11:47 AM