a poem Teaching Poetry

1. Unit 11: Poems
46. Ode to Tomatoes
(Page 313-315)
Pablo Neruda
A Presentation by Birendra Prasad Shrestha, M. A. Eng (TU) M.Phil Eng (PU)

2. Ode to Tomatoes (Page 313-315)

4. What is an Ode?

5. What is an Ode?

10. Tomato Symbolizing Women
The tomatoes in the poem can be
taken as women because
tomatoes are frequently
associated or symbolized to
women.
Then the poem is about women
who is known for her hospitality
and women being a perfect-being
as they are known for fertility.
Then the poet has glorified
women who are married to men
(tomatoes are we to onions) and
who are the most noble beings
(no leaves and thorns).

11. Another Interpretation

13. Exercises (Page 316)

14. • benign = kind and gentle
• hoist = to raise or pull something to a higher
position
• abundance = in great quantity
• aroma = a pleasant, noticeable smell
• Invade = to enter into a country or a town
with military force to control it
Exercises (Page 316)

15. • benign = I love her benign personality.
• hoist = They hoisted the patient onto the
operating table.
• abundance = There is an abundance of books.
• aroma = Her aroma gives me a sense of loving.
• Invade = The Spanish army invaded Chile. /
The Gurkhas invaded the Kathmandu valley.
Exercises (Page 316)

16. Exercises (Page 316)

17. b.
Personification

19. b. Uses of Personification
in the poem
• Tomato invades the
kitchen, it enters at
lunch time, it sheds
its own light, etc.

20. What is Theme?

22. c. Theme of the Poem
Ans: The theme of this poem is that you must
learn to embrace the usual things in life that are
often seen as dull, and find the beauty within
them.

23. Exercises (Page 316)

24. Any Questions