This is an analysis of the poem This Solemn Day that begins with:

When, as returns this solemn day,
Man comes to meet his maker God,... 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: ababccXXbdbd
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 12,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: rima
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 11010101 11010101 11110111 110100101 01011101 11010011 11111101 01010101 1101101 110100111 11111111 11011101
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 438
  • Average number of words per stanza: 76
  • Amount of lines: 12
  • Average number of symbols per line: 36 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The speaker asks many questions. Perhaps, he or she is in confusion.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; and is repeated.

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

  • summary of This Solemn Day;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Anna Laetitia Barbauld