This is an analysis of the poem Sale By Auction that begins with:

I went to an auction
To bid for a chair;...

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: Abcb AaXX Aded Afef XXdd adXd Acec baXa
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,4,4,4,4,4,4,
  • Closest metre: iambic trimeter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 110110 01101 110110 01011 110110 01001 110010 1101 110110 11011 111110 01101 110110 01101 111110 01001 110110 110100 111110 01011 1110100 11001 1000111 11101 110110 01001 01001000 1001 0011111 11011 110010 11001
  • Amount of stanzas: 8
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 88
  • Average number of words per stanza: 17
  • Amount of lines: 32
  • Average number of symbols per line: 21 (very short strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 4
  • 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 Sale By Auction;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Cicely Fox Smith