This is an analysis of the poem Do Not Expect that begins with:

Do not expect that if your book falls open
to a certain page, that any phrase...

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: abXXaX XaXXaaXcdXdXXacb
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 6,16,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: blank verse
  • Metre: 11011011110 001011101 1101010001 1101011101 101110101 1101010101 1101111110 1100011101 1111011101 10111110101 0101000101 1101 1111010101 1101010101 1001000100 1000111001 0100011111 0111010101 110101 11111101 0100010001
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 263
  • Average number of words per stanza: 49
  • Amount of lines: 21
  • Average number of symbols per line: 37 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 7
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

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

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

  • summary of Do Not Expect;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Dana Gioia