This is an analysis of the poem Alfred Moir that begins with:

Why was I not devoured by self-contempt,
And rotted down by indifference...

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: XabacdbceffdeXXXXcX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 19,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: enclosed rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 11110101101 110110100 110001110101 10101101 011010101 111111101 101001101001 010100101 11111111 100101111 110110101 1101 10111001001 1110100111 1101101010 111001010010 0010101011 1101101001 111010110
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 699
  • Average number of words per stanza: 148
  • Amount of lines: 19
  • Average number of symbols per line: 36 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 8
  • 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, i, to are repeated.

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

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

  • summary of Alfred Moir;
  • 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 Lee Masters