D.C. Berry's "On Reading Poems to a Senior Class at South High"

Introduction: Berry's Extended Metaphor

D.C. Berry lyrically describes his experience of teaching in "On Reading Poems to a Senior Class at South High." Readers can easily relate to his straightforward extended metaphor and poignant imagery describing the classroom as a giant fish tank. Berry portrays his multifaceted feelings about teaching with this poem, acknowledging the communication problems that exist between teacher and students. The poet's words are sensitive and unbiased, directed neither toward the students nor the teacher. Instead, "On Reading Poems" addresses the fundamental problems with the teacher-student relationship, especially when the subject matter is poetry. Because of the inherent difficulties with teaching poetry, the narrator flounders in front of his class and does not feel safe until he is at home with his cat.

Aquatic Imagery and Its Transformation

Imagery is the main vehicle through which D.C. Berry communicates his central message. The first stanza of the poem paves the way for the extended metaphor, as the students are immediately described as "sitting there as orderly as frozen fish in a package." Although Berry continues to use aquatic imagery throughout, this initial comparison of the students to "frozen" fish indicates that they seem disinterested. Required to attend class in order to graduate from high school, the students seem as enthused as frozen fish. However, this imagery transforms over the course of the poem as the students come alive. Thawing their initial frozen reaction to the teacher, the students and teacher must now attempt to swim in a sea of words.