Poem Interpretation:

"One"
By James Berry
By Julie Watanabe
 Table of Contents
01 02
Why I chose
Introduction this poem.
An introduction to the poem. Why did this poem appeal to
me?

03 04 05
Interpretation Other Views Conclusion
My interpretation of the Someone else’s view/other Conclusion.
poem. possible interpretations.
01
Introduction
An introduction to the poem.
Introduction
‘One’ by James Berry can be found in the
collection ‘When I Dance’.
 One by James Berry
Only one of me
And nobody can get a second one
From a photocopy machine.
Nobody has the fingerprints I have.
Nobody can cry my tears, or laugh my laugh
Or have my expectancy when I wait.
But anybody can mimic my dance with my
dog.
Anybody can howl how I sing out of tune.
And mirrors can show me multiplied
Many times, say, dressed up in red
Or dressed up in grey.
Nobody can get in to my clothes for me
Or feel my fall for me, or do my running.
Nobody hears my music for me, either.
I am just this one.
Nobody else makes the words I shape with
sound, when I talk.
But anybody can act how I stutter in a rage.
Anybody can copy echoes I make.
And mirrors can show me multiplied
Many times, say, dressed up in green
Or dressed up in blue.
 02
Why I chose
this poem
Why did this poem appeal to me?
 Why did I choose ‘One’?
● Theme of originality/uniqueness.
03
Interpretation
My interpretation of this poem.
Key Parts of the Poem
Key Parts of the Poem
My Interpretation
● Photocopy machine
○ There cannot be another ‘copy’ of him.
My Interpretation

● Physical attributes are all unique.

My Interpretation

● However, our feelings, intuitive

reactions and actions can be mimicked.
 04
Other Views
Someone else’s view or other possible
interpretations.
Other Interpretations

People can mimic him but but can’t be done so

without things he does originally like what he says
while talking or even his physical body.
 Conclusion
05 Conclusion.
 Conclusion
● Highlights the difficulty to be
unique.
● Refers to the topic of uniqueness
and individuality effectively
Thank
You!