Narrative poems may also convey a moral or lesson. 'The Tortoise and the Hare' is a well - known fable in poem form. It tells the story of the overconfident hare who loses the race to the slow but steady tortoise. This story imparts the lesson that slow and steady wins the race.
Well, these poems usually have a plot. Just like in a short story, there is a problem or conflict. In 'Casey at the Bat', the conflict is Casey's need to hit the ball to win the game. They also tend to have a narrative arc. Starting from an introduction, like in 'Paul Revere's Ride' where we are introduced to Paul Revere, then rising action such as his ride through the night, a climax when he warns the people, and a resolution. Moreover, the language is often descriptive to bring the story to life, for instance, the vivid descriptions in 'Goblin Market' of the goblin fruits.
One characteristic is a clear narrative arc. Just like in a short story or a novel, there is a beginning, middle, and end. For example, in 'The Highwayman', it starts with introducing the highwayman and his love for Bess, then there's the conflict when the redcoats come, and finally the tragic end. Another characteristic is the use of vivid imagery to bring the story to life. In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the descriptions of the sea, the ice, and the strange creatures make the story more engaging. Also, there is often a central character or characters that the story revolves around.
One characteristic is a clear narrative arc. Just like in a story, there is a beginning, middle, and end. For example, in 'The Three Little Pigs', the start is the pigs building their houses, the middle is the wolf trying to blow them down, and the end is the safe pig in his brick house. Another is the use of characters. Poems might have heroes, villains, or ordinary people. They are described through words to bring the story to life.
One example is 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe. It tells a spooky story of a man visited by a raven while mourning the loss of his love, Lenore. The repeated refrain of 'Nevermore' adds to the eerie atmosphere.
These poems may also rely on the power of suggestion. Instead of telling a story, they give hints and let the reader's imagination fill in the blanks. For example, a poem might describe a strange object and leave it up to the reader to decide what it means or what it might be related to, rather than spelling out a story.
One such poem is 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost. It tells a story of a person standing at a crossroads in life, having to make a choice between two paths. This simple yet profound story reflects on how our choices in life can shape our future.
Long poems that tell a story often have complex characters. Since they have more space to develop, the characters can be multi - dimensional. For example, in 'The Divine Comedy', Dante encounters various figures in Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, each with their own backstories and personalities. Another characteristic is the elaborate plot. These poems can cover a wide range of events and time periods, like in 'The Odyssey' which spans Odysseus' many years of wandering.
One characteristic is that they have a plot. Just like in a regular story, there's a sequence of events. For example, in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the mariner's actions lead to different situations and consequences. Another characteristic is the presence of characters. These can be complex, like the Mariner himself or the various pilgrims in 'The Canterbury Tales'. Also, they often have a setting which helps to create the mood and context for the story, such as the sea in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' or the journey in 'The Canterbury Tales'.
A good long poems story often has rich imagery. For example, in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the detailed descriptions of the sea and the strange events create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. It also usually has a strong narrative arc, like in 'Paradise Lost' where the story of the fall of man unfolds in a very structured way.
Character development is another characteristic. In 'The Odyssey' by Homer, Odysseus goes through many trials and his character evolves from a war hero to a more complex, wiser man. The poem uses vivid language to describe his adventures and the people he meets, which is also a common trait. It makes the story come alive for the readers.