This is an analysis of the poem Denial that begins with:

I'd like to give 'em all they ask—it hurts to have to answer, 'No,'
And say they cannot have the things they tell me they are wanting so;...

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: XXaabbccccddeebb
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 16,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: couplets
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: heroic couplets
  • Metre: 1101011101010101 1111010111111101 1111111111110001 11110101110101011 1101110111011001 11001111100011111 1011110101011101 1101110100110001 1101110101010111 1111011111010101 1110100111011101 0111110001010111 0111010111111101 1111011101001101 1101001111111101 1111011111111101
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 1065
  • Average number of words per stanza: 218
  • Amount of lines: 16
  • Average number of symbols per line: 66 (very long strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 14
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; they, to, and, i, them, we are repeated.

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

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

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

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Edgar Albert Guest