long poems that tell a story

They usually contain unexpected twists and turns. For example, in 'The Raven', the repeated appearance of the raven and its single word response 'Nevermore' is quite unexpected and adds to the darkly humorous nature of the story. The element of surprise keeps the reader engaged and amused throughout the long poem.

One example is 'The Hunting of the Snark' by Lewis Carroll. It's a long and humorous poem filled with absurd characters and a strange adventure. The characters embark on a quest to find the Snark, and throughout the journey, all kinds of comical situations unfold.

A good long poems story often has rich imagery. For example, in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the detailed descriptions of the sea and the strange events create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. It also usually has a strong narrative arc, like in 'Paradise Lost' where the story of the fall of man unfolds in a very structured way.

One characteristic is a clear narrative arc. Just like in a short story or a novel, there is a beginning, middle, and end. For example, in 'The Highwayman', it starts with introducing the highwayman and his love for Bess, then there's the conflict when the redcoats come, and finally the tragic end. Another characteristic is the use of vivid imagery to bring the story to life. In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the descriptions of the sea, the ice, and the strange creatures make the story more engaging. Also, there is often a central character or characters that the story revolves around.

Well, these poems usually have a plot. Just like in a short story, there is a problem or conflict. In 'Casey at the Bat', the conflict is Casey's need to hit the ball to win the game. They also tend to have a narrative arc. Starting from an introduction, like in 'Paul Revere's Ride' where we are introduced to Paul Revere, then rising action such as his ride through the night, a climax when he warns the people, and a resolution. Moreover, the language is often descriptive to bring the story to life, for instance, the vivid descriptions in 'Goblin Market' of the goblin fruits.

Yes, some lyric poems can tell a story, but not all. Some focus more on expressing emotions and inner thoughts rather than following a clear narrative.

Yes, they can. Poems have the power to convey complex emotions and events in a condensed and evocative way.

One characteristic is rich symbolism. For example, in T. S. Eliot's 'The Waste Land', various symbols are used to tell a complex story about the desolation of modern society. Another characteristic is the use of vivid imagery. It helps to bring the story to life, like in Sylvia Plath's poems where her detailed descriptions make the stories she tells more engaging.

One characteristic is that they have a plot. Just like in a regular story, there's a sequence of events. For example, in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', the mariner's actions lead to different situations and consequences. Another characteristic is the presence of characters. These can be complex, like the Mariner himself or the various pilgrims in 'The Canterbury Tales'. Also, they often have a setting which helps to create the mood and context for the story, such as the sea in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' or the journey in 'The Canterbury Tales'.

Character development is another characteristic. In 'The Odyssey' by Homer, Odysseus goes through many trials and his character evolves from a war hero to a more complex, wiser man. The poem uses vivid language to describe his adventures and the people he meets, which is also a common trait. It makes the story come alive for the readers.