How to compare and contrast two love poems?

Question

Hi.
I need to compare and contrast the poems first love by john clare and ballad by anon.I have no idea where to start as i have never studied poetry before. My essay has to be between 200 - 500 words long. If anyone has any advice i would be really grateful.

Answer 1

First read them carefully. Figure out what you think the author is talking about. No one can tell you you are interpreting the poem wrong. I would start by comparing things like what kind of love is in the poem. Are they both woman/man love, parent to a child love. etc. Compare the way they describe thier beloved (adj. they use) Also, is the love returned to the author , or is it unrequited. Is the author, happy or sad? Make each point and use lots of examples from the poems themselves. You will have 200 words in no time. Start by jotting down things that are obviously different and similar and arrange your paragraphs accordingly.

good luck

Answer 2

My teacher always says treat the reader like they are stupid and don’t know anything. Your thesis was well written, but try clarifying the first sentence, it sounds a bit confusing. In “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner”, war is portrayed as immediate death, while in “Channel Firing”, one can avoid death, however, it’s the “afterlife” one should worry about, and not death itself. Both poems have a moral that strongly explains that a person’s life means nothing when it comes to war. Not perfect, but your thesis is pretty good.

Answer 3

you just need to study both the poems carefully.see where you can mix them.try to find any kind of relationship between them.go deep in to both the poems and feel that you are that person or thing about which both the poets are talking about.
and do it with your heart not with your brain