Poem: What is Red?

1. Literal Meaning danger. For example, a red light is a signal to

stop and to allow other vehicles to pass. Red
Red is the sunset on the horizon, blazing in all
is associated with feelings of anger. Red is a
its brightness. Red is a symbol of bravery in all its
popular colour for the decorative balls and
might. The sunburned spot on one’s nose is also red.
Santa Claus outfits during Christmas and is of
Blood is red too and it appears when you cut your
prosperity during Chinese New Year.
hand. Brick is red. The sound of a band is red too, in
that it is loud. Red is hotness when someone is angry. Literary Devices
Red is the colour of blushes when someone wants to
Literary Device Examples
hide his embarrassment. Fire-cracker and fire-engine
1 Imagery  ‘Blazing red’
are all fire-flicker red.
 Poet uses words  ‘Red squiggles’
The poet continues to showcase the colour and expressions  ‘Sound of a band’
red. She pinpoints that we have the Red Indian. Red is to create pictures  ‘Fire flicker red’
associated with a Valentine heart for red is a symbol or images in the
of passion, of the heart, of love and everything loving mind of the
reader by using
and lovely. Red is everywhere; the trimmings of a
words to
circus cart, lipstick and a signal of danger.
communicate an
Red is a great big rubber ball. Red is the experience
brightest colour as it stands out among others. What through the
would the world be if there is no red? senses; sight,
hearing, smell,
2. Themes taste and touch
2 Personification  ‘Red is a show-off’
a. God’s Creation  Poet gives
God has created the colour red to make the inanimate (non-
world bright, beautiful and colourful. On the living) things or
objects human
other hand, He has also created the colour
qualities.
red as to show of anger, passion, bravery and
3 Alliteration  ‘red rose’
embarrassment.
 The poet repeats  ‘fire-cracker, fire
b. Appreciation of the surroundings the consonant engine fire flicker’
The colour red has made our surroundings a sounds at the  ‘circus cart’
difference. Appreciate what the colour red beginning of
words that
has to offer to each and every one of us.
produces a
3. Moral Values rhythmic and
musical effect.
a. Appreciate God’s creation 4 Repetition  The expression
We need to appreciate God’s creation of the  Words or phrases ‘Red is…’ is used
colour red. There are so many things in this that are repeated twelve times to
world that have that colour. Without the to emphasise emphasise the
colour red, the world would be dull, placid ideas. colour red.
and monotonous place. The poet shows an
appreciation for the colour red in the poem
connecting the colour to a spectrum of
physical and non-physical things.

b. Be sensitive to colours, especially to red

We must be sensitive to colours because they
can be a warning of ill health, emotion and
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Exercise: Answer the questions below. 12. List down words mentioning parts of the body in
the poem.
1. Red is a signal,
a. __________________________________
That says: ‘Watch out!’
b. __________________________________
c. __________________________________
What do the lines above mean?
d. __________________________________
13. List down words describing feelings in the poem.
a. __________________________________
b. __________________________________
2. List one thing the poet thinks about when she c. __________________________________
sees red? 14. List down sounds that can be heard in the poem.
_________________________________________ a. __________________________________
b. __________________________________
3. When can you see red is a symbol of blood? c. __________________________________
_________________________________________ d. __________________________________
15. List down things which are red in this poem.
a. __________________________________
4. Which word in the poem refers to a type of b. __________________________________
vehicle? c. __________________________________
_________________________________________ d. __________________________________
e. __________________________________
5. ‘When you are embarrassed f. __________________________________
And want to hide.’ g. __________________________________
h. __________________________________
What does the poet want to convey in the two i. __________________________________
lines above? j. __________________________________
k. __________________________________
l. __________________________________
6. Do you like this poem? Give reasons for your m. __________________________________
response.
Response: _______________________________
Reason: _______________________________

7. ‘But can you imagine

Living without it’

What does it refer to?

8. What does the “spot on your nose” refer to?

_________________________________________

9. Which phrase signifies love?

_________________________________________

10. Which line refers to blood?

_________________________________________

11. List down words mentioning people in this poem

a. _____________________________________
b. _____________________________________
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