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

To govern simply by statute and to maintain order by means of penalties is to
render the people evasive and devoid of a sense of shame....

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: XX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 2,
  • Closest metre: trochaic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 0101011010011011010000 1001001010100101
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 136
  • Average number of words per stanza: 26
  • Amount of lines: 2
  • Average number of symbols per line: 68 (very long strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 13
  • 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 To Govern;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Confucius