Analysis of the Poem: Blackberry Eating - Module Name, Semester 1

This assignment provides an analysis of the poem "Blackberry Eating" by Galway Kinnell. The analysis focuses on the poem's central theme of collecting and eating blackberries, but delves into the metaphorical implications of the act, comparing it to the use of language. The assignment includes a response to two different postings, critiquing their interpretations of the poem. One posting is criticized for failing to recognize the metaphorical depth of the poem, while the other is critiqued for its negative interpretation, which links the poem to themes of depression. The assignment explores the use of language and its relation to the act of eating blackberries and how the poet uses words to express meaning. This assignment, and others, can be found on Desklib, a platform for students.

Running head: ANALYSIS OF THE POEM BLACKBERRY EATING
Analysis of the poem Blackberry Eating
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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ANALYSIS OF THE POEM BLACKBERRY EATING
Debatable statement and analysis:
Blackberry eating is a popular lyric poem with the theme of a simple context of collecting
and eating blackberries (Kinnell). However, a deeper insight in the poem reveals its metaphorical
implications. The debatable statement is the metaphor that identifies the eating of the berries
with usage of words. The poet connotes that a decorative use of words with structural richness
has a simple underlying meaning in it. He fuses the mystery of blackberry eating with that of the
use of language, which makes the poem more interesting to read and analyze.
Response to posting 1:
The posting simply gives an overview of the poem without identification of any inner
meaning embedded in the poem. It highlights the poet’s love for berries and refers to words that
support it. However, the classmate fails to realize the metaphorical implication of the words used
which simultaneously connotes to the use of language that are also squeezed and splurged like
the berries to bring out the real meaning.
Response to posting 2:
The posting identifies a negative metaphorical implication by identifying the blackberries
to be the use of words in dark poems. It observes use of words without proper thought and
meanings. The metaphor has a melancholic tone, which relates ‘black’ to death and depression. It
suggests that when someone is depressed, he/she strives to find the good things in life like the act
of eating blackberries. The posting has multiple connotations that often seem confusing.
However, the study has deeper insights and multiple ideas that it addresses to.

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ANALYSIS OF THE POEM BLACKBERRY EATING
References:
Kinnell, Galway. "Blackberry Eating." Poetry 180 (1980): 020.