Perrine's Sound and Sense: An Introduction to Poetry (9th Edition) (Paperback)

by Thomas R. Arp (Author), Laurence Perrine (Contributor), Laurence Perrine (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The response was overwhelming from the students. They LOVE the depth and the feeling of poetry that Perrine has . . . [Perrine] oozes the deep love of poetry."

"An excellent anthology; eclectic and unpretentious, . . . Sound and Sense continues to outrank its competition!"

"The beauty of the Perrine text has always been that, along with crisp, clear definitions, it provides a wealth and variety of selections, classic and contemporary."

"This is the finest poetry textbook I’ve seen. The explanations are very clear to students, it is superbly organized and compact." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
This best-selling introduction to poetry text includes nearly 300 works from a wide range of writers, with instruction on writing about poetry. The ninth edition continues the tradition of balance and breadth with the addition of new selections and revised instructional material. Three authors receive extensive coverage-Emily Dickinson, John Donne and Robert Frost-providing an opportunity for detailed study and critical analysis. Approximately 30% of the selections are new to this edition. The chapter on Meter and Rhythm has been completely rewritten to include free verse in addition to metrical verse. More poems by women and minorities have been included. The appendix on Writing About Poetry has been revised and expanded, guiding the student through audience, topic choice, gathering support, writing the paper, and documentation.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 412 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Brace College Publishers; 9th edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0155030280
• ISBN-13: 978-0155030282
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #300,146 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb Introduction to Poetry and Poetic Form, June 9, 2000

By	Michael Wischmeyer (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I came across an early edition of Sound and Sense a few years ago. At first glance the slighty yellowed text appeared foreboding with chapters like denotation and connotation, imagery, figurative lanaguage, allusion, tone, rhythm and meter, sound and meaning, and so forth. I found it hard to imagine a less lifeless approach to poetry. However, the text did seem to contain a sizeable anthology as an appendix and poetry was abundant in every chapter. I reasoned that I could skip the poetic structure discussions and simply read the poetry.

But from the beginning I found Perrine's style and approach to be stimulating, rather than analytical. Throughout we are immersed in poetry, great poetry, familiar poetry, unfamiliar poetry. Perrine argues that poetry needs to be read and reread carefully for full understanding and appreciation. We need to learn to think about poetry with some seriousness, but not in a cold, calculating manner. We approach new poetry with our eyes and ears open, our senses alive.

Yes, as other reviewers point out, Sound and Sense is structured and does methodically explore poetic forms in some detail. But this is not a drawback. It is actually an aid to understanding. Perrine manages to achieve his instructional objective without diluting his central message: poetry is to be enjoyed. He never forgets that his subject is poetry, and not poetic form and structure.

I have since learned that Perrine's text is still in use today, nearly fifty years after publication of the first edition. (See recent 10th edition 0155073966, June 8, 2000.) How can that be? Few textbooks achieve ten printings, much less ten editions. Even the title change signifies respect; it is no longer simply Sound and Sense, it is "Perrine's Sound and Sense".

I highly recommend Perine's text to anyone willing to invest a little time and study to poetry. The return will be worthwhile. I give Sound and Sense five stars.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for use with students, November 1, 2005

By	Brian C. Holly "Brian" (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perrine's Sound and Sense: An Introduction to Poetry (Paperback)

I am currently using this book with 11th grade English students, and they have been truly caught up in it. We are actually having arguments in class over poetry!! I do find, however, that it is helpful to do the chapter on rhythm and meter much earlier than I would if I were following the chapters in order. My experience is that students have a difficult time hearing the rhythm of poetry and are generally unable to read aloud with any success. Jumping ahead early to the chapter on rhythm and meter and having the students tap out the meters and then mark the scansion produces a wonderful improvement in their ability to hear the poems and read them aloud. I would heartily recommend this book for use in grades 11 and 12, and for college freshman. It makes the study of poetry hugely enjoyable, as it should be but rarely is, for both student and teacher.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good AP Textbook, December 15, 2004

By	Sean Feeney (Covington, KY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Perrine's Sound and Sense: An Introduction to Poetry (Paperback)

My senior AP Literature and Composition class is using this book as a textbook, and I would have to say it is the best high school English book I've ever used. The questions following each included piece really helps you to focus on what is important in the passage, and the introductions to each chapter are brief and to the point.