This is an analysis of the poem An Inscription (For A Proposed Monument In Washington) that begins with:

Erected to 'Boss' Shepherd by the dear
Good folk he lived and moved among in peace... 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: abba
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: enclosed rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: blank verse
  • Metre: 0100110101 0111110101 1011011001 0100011001
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 164
  • Average number of words per stanza: 32
  • Amount of lines: 4
  • 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; in is repeated.

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

  • summary of An Inscription (For A Proposed Monument In Washington);
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Ambrose Bierce