Matt's questions

1. What does Collins really think about his poem's subject? Does he really love her or is it just a sarcastic slant on love poems that compare the beloved to objects in nature using meaningless metaphors?

Collins absolutely does not love his beloved and the entire poem is just a slant on love poems. The meaningless silly metaphors show how he is in now way serious about anything he is saying. To me, being told everything that I'm not isn't flattering at all.

2. How does he really feel about himself? Is the second half of the poem purely sarcastic?

The second part of the poem is purely sarcastic. Collins goes on to talk about himself instead of his beloved. He compliments himself with what seems to be flattering metaphors. There is no way he is serious about being the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table. That isn't even a compliment. This poem is a joke to Collins.

3. Does Collins really dislike poems based in comparison and imagery or was he just trying to be humorous in his parody?

I think he was just trying to be funny. Comparison love poems like the one he is making fun of were very popular. Instead of praising the poems he is making fun of them. Just a change of pace.

4. How would the original poem's author feel about Collins' adaptation.

The original author would probably feel insulted as Collins turned his entire poem into a joke, even though Collins' version is probably better. He would probably consider it plagiarism as well.

5. Is Collins' poem a love poem?

I think Collins' poem is based off a love poem, however, I would not consider it one. I would probably never compare someone I liked to a goblet of wine or a bird pooping on a statue.

6. What is the meaning behind the uncertain terms Collins uses, such as "maybe", "however", and "somehow"?

Collins uses these terms to change the subject of his poetry. When he says "however," he goes from comparing his beloved to things she is, to comparing his beloved to things she is not. When he uses "maybe," it seems like he isn't sure whether the woman is the pigeon on the general's head. "Somehow" is used to bring the subject back to comparing the beloved to the bread and the knife.