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

The times are not degenerate. Man’s faith
Mounts higher than of old. No crumbling creed... full text

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: abbXaa cccccc deedbb
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 6,6,6,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: enclosed rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: blank verse
  • Metre: 0111010011 11010111001 1100010101 0101010101 0101110011 1101110111 1111010101 1101010101 1101110101 1101010101 1101110001 1101110101 1101100101 11010011101 1011000111 1100110101 0101110111 1111011101
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 261
  • Average number of words per stanza: 48
  • Amount of lines: 18
  • Average number of symbols per line: 43 (strings are more long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 8
  • 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 The Times;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Ella Wheeler Wilcox