Question

Read the poem below and answer the question that follows. "Apology" by Richard Wilbur A word sticks in the wind’s throat; A wind-launch drifts in the swells of rye; Sometimes, in broad silence, The hanging apples distil their darkness. You, in a green dress, calling, and with brown hair, Who come by the field-path now, whose name I say Softly, forgive me love if also I call you Wind's word, apple-heart, haven of grasses. Source: Wilbur, Richard. "Apology."

What would a formal interpretation of the poem focus on?

Answer 1

A formal interpretation of Richard Wilbur's 'Apology' would involve analysis of the poem's structure, language, and literary devices, including meter, rhyme, imagery, symbolism, and diction.

Step-by-step explanation:

A formal interpretation of the poem Apology by Richard Wilbur would focus on analyzing the poem's structure, language, and literary devices. A formalist approach looks closely at how the poem is crafted—its meter, rhyme scheme, imagery, symbolism, and diction.

The poem's metaphors and how they relate to the poem's themes would also be examined, such as the personification of the wind and the symbolic significance of the 'wind's throat' and the 'apple-heart'. By dissecting the specifics of the poem's form, a formal interpretation can explore how the poem's technical elements contribute to its overall meaning and effect on the reader.