University:
Herzing University
Course:
HU 340 | Humanities and Contemporary Popular Culture
Academic year:

2023
Views:

115

Pages:

2
Author:

Damari Andersen

Poetry - Song Analysis Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran 1. Determine the subject of the poem - The song is about the loss of Ed’s grandmothers and reflects on the positive impacts she had on his family’s lives 2. Identify the poem’s narrator - The song is written by Ed Sheeran however he writes it in his mother’s perspective - The song is directed to his grandmother after her death 3. Diction (Word Choice) - Ed repeats the word “Hallelujah” many times in his song o Denotative meaning: it translates literally to “praise the Lord” o Connotative meaning: it used in an expression of worship and rejoice o Abstract word o In contributes to the tone of the poem by showing the respect his family had for his grandmother and how much they cherish her - The only cliché the song has is when he calls his grandmother an angel. 4. Tone - The song is very light and is not ironic, satirical or contemplative in any way. It’s a very personal poem that is meant to be a tribute to Ed’s grandmother. - Ed uses words like memories, love, life, and home which gives the song a very sentimental and appreciative tone - The tone remains consistent throughout the song 5. Rhythmical Devices - The song has no metrical pattern - The lines in the verses are roughly 10 syllables long - The song doesn’t follow particular rhyme scheme, but it still has couple end rhymes o Sink and blink (line 6 and 8) o Case and face (line 18 and 20) o Mum and become (line 30 and 31) - The chorus itself seems to have some near end rhymes with a rhyme scheme of aaabab o a: Hallelujah, mum, up, hallelujah o b: go, home - the song takes an open or free form 6. Other Literary Devices - Idiom: “spread your wings” o Means to start something new or be free - Idiom: “I’m in pieces, its tearing me up” o Means he is in pain. Not literally in pieces. - Metaphor: “you were an angel” o Comparing his grandmother to an angel - Imagery: “I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill / I threw the day old tea from the cup…” The first verse of the song provides imagery of Ed and his family cleaning out his grandmother’s hospital room. 7. The Values of the Poem - Ed Sheeran definitely succeeds in recreating his experiences with the audience - We understand the tone he gives off throughout the song and can almost feel how he feels - The song succeeds in making us aware of how important our family is and how we should always care for them and cherish them. It can also help us accept the passing of loved of one.