This is an analysis of the poem The Mystery that begins with:

I seldom hear a thoughtful Briton speak
But he will start complaining of the State:...

Elements of the verse: questions and answers

The information we provided is prepared by means of a special computer program. Use the criteria sheet to understand greatest poems or improve your poetry analysis essay.

  • Rhyme scheme: XXXXXXXXaaX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 11,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: blank verse
  • Metre: 1101010101 1101010001 1101010101 11010101010 1101010101 1100010110 1101010001 110111010110 1101011101 0101110011 11
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 447
  • Average number of words per stanza: 84
  • Amount of lines: 11
  • Average number of symbols per line: 40 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 8
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; state, 'the are repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same word 'the is repeated.

If you write a school or university poetry essay, you should Include in your explanation of the poem:

  • summary of The Mystery;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by A. P. Herbert