Narrative PoetryNarrative Poetry

& The Ballad& The BalladT. Meldrum T. Meldrum

April 2009April 2009

Narrative Poetry Narrative Poetry -- backgroundbackground

Is one of three major classifications (lyric Is one of three major classifications (lyric and free verse are the others)and free verse are the others)

Rhythm, rhyme, and repetition were Rhythm, rhyme, and repetition were characteristic of early stories. characteristic of early stories. These devices help a storyteller These devices help a storyteller remember – important to a society that remember – important to a society that didn’t write down the tales. didn’t write down the tales. These devices also allow the audience to These devices also allow the audience to participate.participate.

Narrative Poetry Narrative Poetry -- goalsgoals

Primary Goal: tell a story in verse where Primary Goal: tell a story in verse where the poetry and story balance each other.the poetry and story balance each other.

Not simply a poem with a little bit of story Not simply a poem with a little bit of story or a story told in verse.or a story told in verse.

Like short stories, narrative poems usually Like short stories, narrative poems usually follow the basic pattern of plot follow the basic pattern of plot development, and use of characters.development, and use of characters.

Narrative Poetry Narrative Poetry - content- content

While the story part could be told without the While the story part could be told without the poetry, the effect on the reader would be poetry, the effect on the reader would be different.different.

The use of the techniques of poetry instead of The use of the techniques of poetry instead of short stories makes the poem affect the reader short stories makes the poem affect the reader differently.differently.

Important to note:Important to note: while a short story usually while a short story usually solves the conflict, solves the conflict, a narrative poem often a narrative poem often ends before the action is resolvedends before the action is resolved.. Thus this Thus this type of poem may present an unsolved type of poem may present an unsolved mystery / situation.mystery / situation.

Narrative Poetry Narrative Poetry - form- form

A lot is up to you. Decide on:A lot is up to you. Decide on:

• Point of view (first, third, limited, Point of view (first, third, limited, omniscient)omniscient)

• The speaker (young, old, male, female) The speaker (young, old, male, female)

• Your purpose (entertain, educate, etc.)Your purpose (entertain, educate, etc.)

• A themeA theme

• A structure (stanza pattern)A structure (stanza pattern)

• Rhythm, rhyme, repetitionRhythm, rhyme, repetition

The Highwayman by Alfred NoyesThe Highwayman by Alfred Noyes

The Gambler by Don SchlitzThe Gambler by Don Schlitz

The Black Velvet Band The Black Velvet Band by The Irish Roversby The Irish Rovers

The Ballad The Ballad -- backgroundbackground

Is a form of narrative poetryIs a form of narrative poetryIs derived from the late Latin and Italian Is derived from the late Latin and Italian ballareballare, ,

meaning “to dance”meaning “to dance”Originated as a folk song that told a exciting Originated as a folk song that told a exciting

story, was passed orally from one generation story, was passed orally from one generation to the nextto the next

Not written down until the early 18Not written down until the early 18 thth century centuryOften served to pass news in isolated Often served to pass news in isolated

communitiescommunities

The Ballad The Ballad -- backgroundbackground

Two main typesTwo main typesFolk Ballad: a story expressed through Folk Ballad: a story expressed through

song; a haunting, dramatic tale handed song; a haunting, dramatic tale handed down orally. The author is usually down orally. The author is usually anonymous.anonymous.

Literary Ballad: a narrative written by a Literary Ballad: a narrative written by a poet in deliberate imitation of the form, poet in deliberate imitation of the form, language, and spirit of the traditional language, and spirit of the traditional ballad.ballad.

The Ballad The Ballad - content- content

Often told the most tragic or sensational Often told the most tragic or sensational storiesstories

Often had fairies, witches, ghosts, other Often had fairies, witches, ghosts, other supernatural beings or encounters with supernatural beings or encounters with “otherworldly” characters“otherworldly” characters

Often explores ideas around love, feuds, Often explores ideas around love, feuds, physical courage, tragedies, murders, physical courage, tragedies, murders, adventure, common lives, the supernatural.adventure, common lives, the supernatural.

The Ballad The Ballad -- goalgoal

Communicate strong feelings provoked by Communicate strong feelings provoked by dramatic human eventsdramatic human events

Still written today – when there are times of Still written today – when there are times of change or hardshipchange or hardship

The Ballad The Ballad -- formform

Usually four line stanzas (quatrains) Usually four line stanzas (quatrains) Lines 1 & 3 = iambic tetrameter (8 syllables)Lines 1 & 3 = iambic tetrameter (8 syllables)Lines 2 & 4 = iambic trimeter (6 syllables)Lines 2 & 4 = iambic trimeter (6 syllables)

Rhyme: ABCB, but is often approximate – Rhyme: ABCB, but is often approximate – could use assonance or consonance could use assonance or consonance instead of a true rhymeinstead of a true rhyme

Sometimes there is a refrain (repeated Sometimes there is a refrain (repeated portion)portion)

The Ballad The Ballad -- formform

Precise, startling images – visual, dramaticPrecise, startling images – visual, dramatic

Minimal details about setting or characterizationMinimal details about setting or characterization

The beginning is often abrupt and the story is a The beginning is often abrupt and the story is a single episodesingle episode

Narrator begins with a climactic episode, then tells Narrator begins with a climactic episode, then tells the story through action and dialoguethe story through action and dialogue

The narrator is impersonal = no personal attitudeThe narrator is impersonal = no personal attitude

Events are told with swiftness and intensityEvents are told with swiftness and intensity

Frequent repetition of imagery and languageFrequent repetition of imagery and language

La Belle Dame Sans Merci La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keatsby John Keats

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by by Gordon LightfootGordon Lightfoot

Your Turn…Your Turn…

One Narrative poemOne Narrative poem of at least seven stanzas – of at least seven stanzas – include a pattern of rhyme & rhythm; must include a pattern of rhyme & rhythm; must convey a themeconvey a theme

OROR

One Literary BalladOne Literary Ballad of at least eight verses – of at least eight verses – detail a story, include dialogue, imagery, detail a story, include dialogue, imagery, convey a theme, include rhythm & rhyme convey a theme, include rhythm & rhyme pattern of the literary ballad formpattern of the literary ballad form