Question

Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points in a paragraph:
Poem Extract:
The Height of the Ridiculous
I wrote some lines once on a time
In wondrous merry mood,
And thought, as usual, men would say
They were exceeding good.
They were so queer, so very queer,
I laughed as I would die;
Albeit, in the general way,
A sober man am I.
I called my servant, and he came;
How kind it was of him
To mind a slender man like me,
He of the mighty limb.
"These to the printer," I exclaimed,
And, in my humorous way,
I added (as a trifling jest,)
"There'll be the devil to pay."
He took the paper, and I watched,
And saw him peep within
At the first line he read, his face
Was all upon the grin.
He read the next; the grin grew broad
And shot from ear to ear;
He read the third; a chuckling noise
I now began to hear.
The fourth; he broke into a roar;
The fifth; his waistband split;
The sixth; he burst his five buttons
And tumbled in a fit.
Ten days and nights, with sleepless eye,
I watched that wretched man,
and since, I never dare to write
As funny as I can.
— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Hint:

A good poem appreciation should include the title, poet, rhyme scheme, literary devices, and the central theme. Look for exaggerated expressions or imagery that enhance the poem's impact.

Answer 1

Poem Appreciation:
Title and Poet:
The poem "The Height of the Ridiculous" is written by Oliver Wendell Holmes. It is a humorous poem that showcases the exaggerated reaction of a servant to a poet's writing.
Rhyme Scheme:
The poem follows an ABCB rhyme scheme, where every second and fourth line rhyme. This pattern contributes to the humorous and rhythmic flow of the poem.
Figures of Speech:
- Hyperbole: The poem uses exaggeration to create humor, such as the servant's excessive reaction—splitting his waistband and bursting five buttons.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, such as in "merry mood" and "peep within."
- Personification: The poet personifies his humorous writing as having an impact so strong that it physically affects the reader.
Central Idea/Theme:
The poem is a comical exaggeration of how the poet's humorous writing affects his servant. The poet believes his work is funny, but he is surprised by the servant's extreme reaction—bursting into laughter to the point of physical distress. This highlights how humor can have an overwhelming effect. The poem conveys the power of words and laughter while using hyperbole to amuse the reader.