Dream Team
Critiqued by Allason
Fast Break is a poem written by American poet Edward Hirsch in memory of Dennis Turner; a friend who loved the sport of basketball immensely and unfortunately passed away at a young age due to illness.
Through the use of poetic devices and evocative imagery, Hirsch conveys the passion and determination that it takes for one team to succeed in this fast paced game.
Literary Devices
The author uses the literary techniques of simile to let readers better understand the game. In the poem, an orange leather basketball is compared to a cherished possession, as possessing the ball enables the players to win. His love of the game is compared to his love for his country as well, allowing the reader to understand the players’ love for basketball.
Enjambment is used throughout the poem as many sentences continue past the end of each line. The phrases and sentences continue on throughout the stanzas in this poem, conveying the rushed tension and fast pace of the game.
Imagery is also used to illustrate the process of the team working together to score during the basketball game. Imagery allows the readers to feel as if they were players on the court, immersed in the action (ie. fanning out and filling the lanes in tandem, moving together as brothers passing the ball between them without a dribble, without a single bounce hitting the hardwood).
Hirsch also implements hyperbole to exaggerate the court’s happenings so that it is clearer to readers who don’t understand the game. This way they are also able to feel the bond and determination between the players on court (ie. while the power-forward explodes past them in a fury, taking the ball into the air).
Through the use of different writing techniques and language, the author constructs a poem that allows readers understand how only through teamwork, dedication, sacrifice and passion can any team move towards success.
Wow, great post! I thought you analysis was very insightful and the explanation about enjambment was interesting, which allowed me to look at the poem differently. But I disagree with your explanation of simile and I think the similes were used to not only used to help people understand the game, but also so they would be able to relate more with the poem, helping the author to evoke emotions.
ReplyDelete-Sophie
I really like the title of your blog post - it fits the content of the post really well but is very creative. I think it’s great that you bolded so many different words, making it easier for the readers to find what they’re looking for. You cover all of the literary devices used in the poem itself. I I like that you linked the use of figurative devices to the meaning behind each line in the poem. However, I think that you could have left some “food for thought” at the end of your post. Overall, great job!
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ReplyDeleteHi Allason, I liked the title of your poem - it fit the review really well. Your analysis is really well done, and you mentioned the effect of the poetic devices on the readers, which was good. I also think the end of your analysis is strong and well phrased. However, I think you can also end with a statement that the readers will be able to think about (maybe the use of a rhetorical question in this case?). Overall, the poem is well interpreted. Good job! - Hilarie
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ReplyDeleteI really like your analysis of the poem Fast Break! It was very satisfying and obvious that you did a little bit of research regarding the background or the main motivation of the poem, this is because you clearly described and explained the theme/ purpose of the story to those who may not have considered the deeper meaning behind it being written.