This is an analysis of the poem The Search-Light, Kimberley, 1899-1900 that begins with:

Dark night upon the leaguered town,
And on the hidden foe;...

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: abXbcdcd XeeeXaXa XbabcXbd
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 8,8,8,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: ballad stanza
  • Metre: 110101001 110101 10010101 110111 11010101 0100111 01110111 110101 11010101 101101 01111101 101101 11010001 011111 11010001 111101 110101001 110111 110001001 110001 11010111 111101 11111111 111111
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 261
  • Average number of words per stanza: 49
  • Amount of lines: 24
  • Average number of symbols per line: 32 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    There are many exclamation marks in the poem. The speaker is excited. He or she has strong feelings on the subject that is described in the poem.

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

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; of, it are repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same word how is repeated.

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

  • summary of The Search-Light, Kimberley, 1899-1900;
  • 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