Read the title of the poem. What comes to your mind when you read the word 'concrete'? Does it have more than one meaning? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
The word 'concrete' has two meanings that are important to understand.
Literal meaning refers to a building material made of cement, sand, gravel, and water that hardens into a strong solid.
Figurative/Adjective meaning refers to something definite, clear, specific, or tangible — the opposite of abstract. For example, 'concrete evidence' means clear proof.
The title 'A Concrete Example' uses this wordplay — it refers both to the actual stones in Mrs. Jones's garden and to the poem providing a clear example of someone's unique perspective.
Explanation
This discussion introduces students to the concept of puns and multiple word meanings, which is central to understanding the poem's title. The chapter later explicitly explains puns as a figure of speech that uses words with multiple meanings for humorous effect.
Solution Steps
The word 'concrete' has two distinct meanings: literal and figurative
Literal meaning: a building material made of cement, sand, gravel, and water
Figurative meaning: something definite, clear, specific, or tangible (opposite of abstract)
Example: 'concrete evidence' means clear proof
The title 'A Concrete Example' uses wordplay by connecting both meanings