Final answer:
The central idea of a poem or story is expressed through its main theme, with the title setting expectations for the narrative. For instance, in "What Came to Me," the imagery of a gravy drop evokes deep emotions, while Williams' use of simple images in "This Is Just to Say" offers shifting viewpoints. Titles like "Sweat" encapsulate themes and prepare the reader for the story's depth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central idea of a poem or story often reflects the main theme or underlying message that the author intends to convey through their writing. The title often plays an important role in setting the tone and preparing the reader for what to expect within the text. For example, in the poem, "What Came to Me" by Jane Kenyon, the minimalistic approach to writing conveys powerfully compact emotions, such as grief, triggered by a simple but evocative image - a drop of gravy on a gravy boat.
Similarly, William Carlos Williams, in his poem "This Is Just to Say," uses the image of plums to offer different perspectives in a succinct form, revealing complexities in common, everyday life scenarios. Williams captures the essence of the object-centered Imagist movement, showcasing that in poetry, ideas are often expressed through tangible images or 'things' themselves, as demonstrated in his other famous poem, "The Red Wheelbarrow."
In addition, titles such as "Sweat" can encapsulate the overarching theme of a story, creating expectations and adding layers of meaning. A well-chosen title not only intrigues but also comments on the narrative to follow, hinting at the deeper significance that unfolds as one reads the story.