Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 43: Screening Coleridge's Fantasies

Students are often hesitant to speak out with their own explications of literature, but usually have no qualms when asked to offer interpretations of popular musical lyrics. In fact, they seem quite eager to defend a lyrical explanation and will readily point out symbols, images, and allusions as ammunition to prove their points. Therefore, it benefits to use musical lyrics as a stepping stone into poetic interpretations. By analyzing the words in a song, as well as understanding the screen through which we develop our analysis, students will have greater confidence in supporting their own interpretations of poetry.