Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is generally a nondramatic style of poetry in which the author tells a story. In “Fiddler Crab,” Jacobsen tells a story about the life of a fiddler crab on a beach. The construction of the narrative is simple. Jacobsen witnesses the crab's activities and motion on the beach, battling the surf. She describes the beauty of the water, the rocks, and the frothing waves. Jacobsen brings herself into the narrative, imitating the crab with her hand and casting a shadow across the beach. In addition, Jacobsen introduces another character—the Spanish-Chinese boy—who is ultimately responsible for the crab's demise. Although Jacobsen uses the poem to deliver a message about life and God, “Fiddler Crab” is still an example of narrative poetry.

Personification

In “Fiddler Crab,” the crab takes on human qualities, showing the similarities between Jacobsen and the crab. The crab's “body glides” and...