This is an analysis of the poem Learning To Swim that begins with:

At forty-eight, to be given water,
which is most of the world, given life...

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: aXb bXX cXa XXX cbX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 3,3,3,3,3,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: rondeau
  • Metre: 1101001010 101001101 01010101101 1010111111 110110001 1011011010 011011111 101111 010101101110 1010101011 01011111 0110100011101 001000100111 1100101 101101
  • Amount of stanzas: 5
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 112
  • Average number of words per stanza: 23
  • Amount of lines: 15
  • Average number of symbols per line: 37 (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; given, which, most, of, you, if are repeated.

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

  • summary of Learning To Swim;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Bob Hicok