The Short Story and Poem: A Comparison of Literary Forms

The Short Story and Poem: A Comparison of Literary Forms

Reflecting on this week’s literary readings, as well as your own reading experiences, identify at least one major similarity and one major difference between the forms of the short story and the poem. How do the differences between these literary forms affect how you read and respond to them?

In your response, include an example of at least one poem from this week’s readings. Describe the connections between (a) the poem’s form and/or use of literary devices and your experience of the poem and (b) your reading experience (see key literary terms listed in our textbook – e.g., alliteration, rhyme, iambic pentameter, etc.). If you wish, you may also compare your experience of the poem to your experience reading a short story that shares with the poem a similar theme.

Here are the poems:

When I Set Out for Lyonnesse By Thomas Hardy (1914)

Boy at the Window By Richard Wilbur (1956).

Here are the short stories:

The Things They Carried By Tim O’ Brien (1990)

The Welcome Table By Alice Walker (1970)

If you need anything else, please let me know. Thank you!

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Differences and their effects on responding to them

One of the greatest differences between poems and the forms of short stories is that it always stirs up emotional responses from the reader. The main reason why the response is generated in the reader of the poetry is because of the figurative language, rhythm of the lines, and the exact choice of words which touches the heart and spirit of the reader. Additionally, poems are often read louder for the reader to get the message….

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