Poem Overview
What is the title of the poem
The Editor’s Ex."
This term describes the use of vivid language to evoke sensory experiences.
What is imagery?
How does the speaker feel about reading romance novels now that her partner is gone?
She finds them boring or unfulfilling.
This character name, ‘Sir Maximus,’ is an exaggerated version of what common romance archetype?
The idealized or heroic male lover.
In what year was ‘The Editor’s Ex’ published
2017
Who is the author of this poem
Caitlin Doyle
the line ‘His sword grows dull while she goes on and on’ is an example of this type of humor that contrasts reality with expectations.
What is irony?
What is the tone of the poem—nostalgic, satirical, or angry?
Satirical, with undertones of nostalgia.
in romance novels, swords and scabbards often symbolize what?
Passion or masculinity.
What professional field is implied by the character who criticizes the speaker’s choice of novels?
Editing or publishing.
What genre of book does the speaker take to bed in the poem
Romance.
this device is used when the poem references ‘The Flame of Passion’ as a representation of romance clichés.
what is symbolism?
what major theme is suggested by the speaker’s boredom with the romance novel after her partner has left?
The limitations of fantasy or escapism in dealing with real grief or loss.
the phrase ‘The Flame of Passion’ is an example of what common feature in romance novels?
A dramatic or clichéd title.
What does the red ink in the editor’s office symbolize
the critical nature of the editor’s profession and perhaps his judgment of romance novels.
What phrase is used in the poem to represent the romance genre’s main character?
Sir Maximus.
This type of figurative language is used when describing “Sir Maximus” with a “scabbard at his thigh” to hint at typical romance tropes.
What is metaphor?
True or False: The speaker believes that romance novels accurately reflect real relationships
False
: How does the speaker's view of romance novels change after her partner is gone?
She sees them as superficial and finds them boring, hinting that they lack the depth of real relationships.
What is the significance of the speaker hoarding romance novels in secret?
It implies she feels judged or misunderstood by her partner and has to hide her escapist interests.
what is the title of the book the speaker tries to read
The Flame of Passion
This literary device is used to subtly criticize or mock romance tropes by portraying them as unrealistic or dull.
What is satire?
Describe the speaker’s relationship with romance novels before and after her partner’s departure.
Before, she secretly enjoyed them; now, they feel empty and unappealing.
The speaker’s statement that she would ‘write another ending’ suggests what about her feelings toward romance tropes?
She finds them insufficient for true expression of love and loss.
Why might the speaker’s partner have called the romance genre “dead”
As an editor, he likely views romance novels as outdated or lacking literary value.