IB BITES! presents “3 Ways to Structure a Literary Analysis Essay”
In this video, I explain three effective ways to structure a literary analysis essay using Margaret Avison’s poem "July Man." The video covers how to craft engaging introductions, organize body paragraphs by literary elements, themes, or devices, and conclude with clarity and significance. I provide practical examples and tips suitable for IB, AP, A-Level, and iGCSE students, encouraging viewers to choose the structure that best fits their writing style. For additional resources, the 3 example essays are provided below.
Essay Question How and to what effect does the poet invite the reader to empathise with the central figure?
Essay 1
"Puzzled for good by fermented potato peel out of the vat of the times," the aged protagonist of Avison's free verse poem "July Man" struggles with isolation and displacement within the modern urban landscape. Through her vivid descriptors of the setting, the rich characterization of the central figure, and the exploration of his complex emotional state, Avison weaves a tapestry of themes that speak to the isolation, fragility, and ephemerality of the human experience.
Avison's keen attention to the setting in "July Man" establishes a powerful sense of place that serves as a foil to the central character's inner turmoil. The poem opens with a vivid, almost cinematic description of the "rain-wrinkled, time-soiled, city-wise, morning man" who finds himself in a "grass-patch, this city-gardener's place" (1, 9-10). The juxtaposition of the weathered, aged individual with the lush, verdant setting of the urban park creates a striking visual contrast, hinting at the character's disconnection from the bustling, vibrant world around him. Avison's use of rich, sensory imagery further reinforces this sense of isolation, as she describes the "buzzing populace's / square shadows, and the green shadows / of elm and ginkgo and lime" that surround the central figure (11-13). The emphasis on the "shadows" that envelop the character suggests a pervasive sense of gloom and melancholy, foreshadowing the deeper emotional turmoil that will be explored as the poem progresses.
As the reader delves deeper into the poem, Avison's focus shifts from the external setting to the intricate characterization of the central figure, whom she depicts as a weathered, world-weary individual grappling with the weight of his own existence. The opening lines paint a vivid portrait of the "Old, rain-wrinkled, time-soiled, city-wise, morning man" (1), whose very physicality evokes a sense of age, hardship, and experience. This characterization is further enhanced through Avison's use of rich, evocative metaphors, as she describes the man's "weeping" for the "dust of the elm-flowers" and the "hurting motes of time" (2-3). These images not only convey the character's profound sadness and sense of loss, but also suggest a deep, existential awareness of the fleeting, fragile nature of existence. The cumulative effect of Avison's vivid descriptions is to imbue the central figure with a palpable sense of humanity, one that invites the reader to empathize with his inner turmoil and struggle to find meaning in a world that seems increasingly chaotic and indifferent.
At the heart of "July Man" is the exploration of the central character's internal conflict, as he grapples with the weight of his own existence and the profound sense of isolation that permeates his experience. Avison's masterful use of symbolism and metaphor amplifies this tension, as the character's physical and emotional state become inextricably linked to the larger themes of impermanence and fragility. The man's "weeping" for the "dust of the elm-flowers" and the "hurting motes of time" (2-3) serves as a powerful metaphor for his own sense of mortality and the transience of human existence, while the references to "rotted with rotting grape, / sweet with the fumes, / puzzled for good by fermented potato-" (4-6) suggest a deeper, psychological anguish fueled by addiction and disillusionment. Avison's use of vivid, almost visceral imagery in these lines heightens the reader's emotional engagement with the character's struggle, as we are confronted with the raw, unvarnished reality of his inner turmoil.
The poem's climactic moment occurs when the character, seemingly overwhelmed by the weight of his own existence, finds solace in the "sound of the fountain" where he "rest[s], at the cinder-rim, on [his] bench" (17-18). This simple yet poignant gesture of respite underscores the character's profound need for solace and connection, even as he remains isolated and adrift in the "rushing river of cars" that surrounds him (19). Avison's final lines, with their references to "wonder (for good now) and / trembling" (22-23), suggest the character's fleeting moments of transcendence, where he is able to find a glimmer of meaning and beauty amidst the "too much none of us knows" (24). Through this intricate exploration of the character's inner world, Avison crafts a deeply moving and contemplative meditation on the human condition, inviting the reader to grapple with the profound questions of mortality, purpose, and the search for connection in a world that often feels indifferent and overwhelming.
Through her vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and nuanced characterization, Avison invites the reader to engage with the central figure's struggle for meaning and connection in a world that often feels indifferent and overwhelming. Even decades later, the poem's masterful portrayal of the plight of the overlooked and undervalued compels us to consider how we can foster greater understanding and inclusion in our own time.
Essay 2
In the evocative poem "July Man," poet Margaret Avison crafts a poignant exploration of the human condition, weaving together a tapestry of themes that speak to the profound isolation, fragility, and search for meaning that permeate the lived experience. Through her vivid characterization of the central figure and the rich, sensory-driven descriptions of the setting, Avison invites the reader to grapple with the existential questions that lie at the heart of the human experience.
One of the central themes explored in "July Man" is the profound sense of isolation and disconnection experienced by the central character. Avison's vivid descriptions of the "buzzing populace's / square shadows" and the "green shadows / of elm and ginkgo and lime" that surround the figure create a palpable sense of his detachment from the bustling world around him (11-13). This theme of isolation is further reinforced through the contrast between the character's "rain-wrinkled, time-soiled" appearance and the lush, verdant setting of the urban park, which serves to highlight his emotional and psychological distance from the vibrant life that pulses through the city (1). Avison's repeated use of the word "shadow" to describe the environment suggests a pervasive gloom and melancholy that envelops the central figure, underscoring his profound sense of disconnection from the very world he inhabits.
Another central theme in "July Man" is the fragility and ephemerality of human existence. Avison's evocative imagery, such as the character's "weeping for the dust of the elm-flowers / and the hurting motes of time," serves as a powerful metaphor for the transience of life and the painful awareness of one's own mortality (2-3). The references to the character being "rotted with rotting grape, / sweet with the fumes, / puzzled for good by fermented potato-" further reinforce this theme, suggesting a deeper psychological anguish fueled by disillusionment and a sense of having lost his way in the world (4-6). Avison's use of vivid, visceral language in these lines heightens the reader's emotional engagement with the character's struggle, as we are confronted with the raw, unvarnished reality of his inner turmoil.
Finally, "July Man" explores the theme of the human search for meaning and purpose in the face of the overwhelming "too much none of us knows" (24). Avison's description of the character finding solace in the "sound of the fountain" where he "rest[s], at the cinder-rim, on [his] bench" suggests a fleeting moment of transcendence, where he is able to find a glimmer of beauty and wonder amidst the chaos and uncertainty of his existence (17-18, 22-23). The poem's concluding lines, with their references to "wonder (for good now) and / trembling," underscore the fragility and precariousness of these moments of respite, reminding us of the profound human need to find meaning and connection in a world that often feels indifferent and overwhelming.
Avison's "July Man" is a poetic exploration of the human condition, inviting the reader to engage with the central figure's struggle for meaning and connection in a world that often feels indifferent. Through her masterful use of poetic devices, Avison crafts a profound and contemplative meditation on the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. This poem encourages us to grapple with the universal questions of mortality, purpose, and the search for belonging that are at the core of the human experience.
Essay 3
While Margaret Avison's "July Man" tackles profound themes of isolation, mortality, and the search for meaning, the poem's true power emerges through the masterful deployment of poetic devices that heighten the emotional resonance and evoke the complex inner world of the central character.
One of the most striking elements of Avison's poetic technique is her use of sensory-driven imagery to immerse the reader in the world of the poem. The opening lines, with their references to the character's "rain-wrinkled, time-soiled" appearance and his "weeping for the dust of the elm-flowers / and the hurting motes of time," immediately engage the senses, painting a visceral and tangible picture of the central figure (1-3). This sensory-rich language continues throughout the poem, as Avison describes the "buzzing populace's / square shadows" and the "green shadows / of elm and ginkgo and lime" that surround the character (11-13). These vivid, almost tactile descriptions serve to heighten the reader's emotional investment in the poem, as we are drawn into the character's lived experience through the power of Avison's imagery.
Alongside her mastery of sensory detail, Avison also employs a rich tapestry of symbolism and metaphor to explore the deeper thematic undercurrents of the poem. The recurring use of the word "shadow" to describe the environment, for instance, functions as a powerful metaphor for the character's profound sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around him. Similarly, the references to the character being "rotted with rotting grape, / sweet with the fumes, / puzzled for good by fermented potato-" can be read as a metaphorical representation of his spiritual and psychological deterioration (4-6). Avison's skillful deployment of these symbolic devices allows her to delve beneath the surface of the poem's narrative, inviting the reader to engage in a more nuanced and layered interpretation of the character's inner turmoil.
Margaret Avison employs vivid and evocative diction to convey the complexity of human experience and the passage of time. The poem opens with descriptions such as "Old, rain-wrinkled, time-soiled, city-wise," which encapsulate the character's weariness and wisdom.This choice of words uses sensory imagery to create a tactile sense of age and decay, highlighting the physical toll of time. The phrases “rain-wrinkled” and “time-soiled” evoke not only the man's appearance but also suggest an accumulation of memories and experiences, linking to the theme of the inevitable passage of time. Through this rich diction, Avison emphasizes how the weight of time shapes identity and perception, inviting readers to reflect on their own relationship with the past and the transient nature of beauty and existence.
Furthermore, Avison's use of poetic structure and language rhythms serves to amplify the emotional resonance of the work. The poem's unrhymed, free-verse form, coupled with the poet's judicious use of enjambment and internal rhyme, creates a sense of fluidity and natural cadence that mirrors the ebb and flow of the character's shifting emotional states. This is particularly evident in the closing lines, where the references to "wonder (for good now) and / trembling" are underscored by the poem's rhythmic structure, lending a sense of fragility and precariousness to the character's fleeting moments of transcendence (23-24).
Avison's multifaceted poetic techniques - from fragmented structure to vivid sensory imagery - work in concert to cultivate empathy and prompt readers to grapple with the timeless questions of human existence that the "July Man" grapples with.
