This is an analysis of the poem The Meaning that begins with:

Alas, that we are deaf and blind
To meanings all about us hid !...

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: aaaa baab caac
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,4,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: rondeau rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 01111111 01010111 11010101 11001101 11010101 11010101 01110101 01010100 01011111 11111101 10010001 11110111
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 140
  • Average number of words per stanza: 26
  • Amount of lines: 12
  • Average number of symbols per line: 34 (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; of, and are repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same words what, the are repeated.

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

  • summary of The Meaning;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Clark Ashton Smith