Language Patterns

The author structured the poem into 17 lines, and each line is broken up into 2 stanzas. The author
decided to write the poem like this because it is easier to express the meaning and the message behind
every line since this poem contains many metaphors
O-OBJECTIVE CRITICISM
(Compare art to itself or other art)
Main characters, plot antagonist, symbolism, theme, sequel- does not say much about reality.
A Martian Sends a Postcard Home
By Craig Raine, 1979
This poem is a dramatic monologue.
This poem is about a Martian who visits Earth and sends his thoughts of our society in his view back
home.

A Martian Sends a Postcard Home

- Craig Raine
Apparently, the poet wants to present the message that this is not about mars or other extraterrestrial
things, but it is about the simple things on earth. The only significantly unique part of this poem, is the way
in which it is written, and how it resembles the way an alien or any foreign species visiting earth would
write it.

Explore the Themes of the Poem

Imagery Used to Express Themes
Poet's Message
P- PRAGMATIC CRITICISM (Compare Work To Audience)
Your feelings in relation to the book- if you judge the book to harshly, the real meaning could be lost.

 there is none or maybe very little assonance, consonance, onomatopoeia and alliteration.
 a martian is living on earth, sending home mail about what is here
 In the poem, there are many things not mentioned, but instead described by similar or relevant
words
 an example would be “Model T is a room with the lock inside” this describes a car, which is an
enclosed space that you lock inside, not outside.
 another example: “time is tied to the wrist or kept in a box, ticking with impatience.” what the
author wants to describe here is either a clock or a watch, but he referrs to the object(s) as “time”,
tied to the wrist or stored in a box
 basically, the poet groups similar words close together to achieve the effect of making a “martian”
understand

Introduction
M-MIMETIC CRITICISM
(Imitates what you think is real in society)
History and reality- some people take it to literal.
This is a free verse poem; meaning it has no rhyme scheme. This poem uses free verse because it is
easier to send a message to the readers as you are not limited to how many words can rhyme with each
other. This is also an ode, because this poem has a lot of similes and metaphors, and behind every line
there is a either a metaphors or simile tied to it.

Rhyme and Rhythm

WHAT DOES POEM STAND FOR?

 A martian describes earth from his point of view to his family

 Something that may seem strange or fascinating to us, may be normal for someone else; and
vice versa
 The world we are used to can seem unusual when looked at from an outside perspective

E- EXPRESSIVE CRITICISM
(Relate books t person who wrote it)
Who wrote it, the life, inspiration- limited to authors life.

 "birds with many wings" caxtons ( books )

 "mist is when the sky is tired of flight ... rests on the ground " - personification (rain)
 " the world is dim and bookish like engravings under tissue paper " - similie
 " rain is when the earth is a television ... it has the properties of making colors darker " - metaphor
 "room with the lock inside" model T ( car )
 " time is tied to the wrist" (watch)
 " A haunted apparatus sleeps, that snores when you pick it up " (telephone)
 " everyone's pain has a different smell " toilet)

Form and Structure