Comp. Lit.

405 Connotative Review: you fit into me, by Margaret Atwood Instructions: Analyze Margaret Atwoods poem you fit into me and pay close attention to the connotative elements of the poem. Answer the questions on the back that accompany the poem and then write a THESIS for the poem. Make your annotations ON THE POEM. Title: What questions does the title raise? After reading the poem, does the title gain added significance? Paraphrase: Translate the poem into your own words. Connotation: Where are the important words in this poem? What are unusual phrasings, images, repeated lines, etc? Where is the figurative language?

you fit into me, by Margaret Atwood you fit into me like a hook into an eye a fish hook an open eye

Attitude: What emotions does the speaker seem display in regards to the subject? Shifts: Where is the major change in the poem? What does this change signify?

Tone: What is the overall

impression the author is trying to make about the poems subject matter? What is the takeaway feeling?

Questions for Discussion 1. Think of all the possible ways to read hook and eye. What does the initial stanza describe? (Be sure to consider all the possible connotations of you fit into me as well.) 2. 3. 4. What expectation is initially created by the simile in the first two lines? How does the second stanza modify that expectation? What are we meant to feel with that twist on the imagery? How do both images work together to present a picture of this couple?

Comp. Lit. 405 Attitude: you fit into me, by Margaret Atwood Having examined the poem's devices and clues closely, you are now ready to explore the multiple attitudes that may be present in the poem. Examination of diction (specific word choice), images, and details suggests the speaker's attitude and contributes to understanding. You may refer to the TONE charts that will help you. Remember that usually the tone or attitude cannot be named with a single word; think complexity. Look back to the words you circled as important from the Connotation analysis. What emotions seem to be linked to these words? How does the speaker seem to feel about the subject? Look to your Tone chart for guidance and specificity.

you fit into me, by Margaret Atwood

Attitude: What emotions does the speaker seem display in regards to the subject?

you fit into me like a hook into an eye a fish hook an open eye

Questions for Discussion 5. 6. Think back to the expectation the first stanza sets up and the twist on that expectation in the second stanza. What are we meant to feel with that twist on the imagery? How do both images work together to inform us of the emotional nature of this couple?

Thesis: What do you think this poem means? What are the implications of the poem? Include the poets name, the
title of the poem, your interpretation, and how the specific Connotation and Attitude elements contribute to the interpretation.