This is an analysis of the poem Maternity that begins with:

One wept whose only child was dead,
New-born, ten years ago.... full text

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: abab cccX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: ballad stanza
  • Metre: 11110111 111001 1011001011 1101001 100011101 011101 11100101 010010110
  • Amount of stanzas: 2
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 134
  • Average number of words per stanza: 25
  • Amount of lines: 8
  • Average number of symbols per line: 33 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

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

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

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Alice Meynell