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

What is the central passion
of a life?...

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: abcdacefcXf aefXfXeXgad gaXXXadb
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 11,11,8,
  • Closest metre: iambic trimeter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 1001010 001 011010 010111100 010100011 1000100 0101011 11110 1111110 1 1101 10010 111 1011 011 010101 11 0111 010001 010100 11 110 1011 010 111101 011100 100110 10 01
  • Amount of stanzas: 4
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 141
  • Average number of words per stanza: 27
  • Amount of lines: 29
  • Average number of symbols per line: 19 (very short strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 4
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The speaker asks many questions. Perhaps, he or she is in confusion.

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

  • summary of The Central Passion;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Erica Jong