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

A rock, for ages, stern and high,
Stood frowning 'gainst the earth and sky, ... 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: aabbbbcc bbbbddbb ddcceebbcc ddccddffgghhii
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 8,8,10,14,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: couplets
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 01110111 11010111 11010101 11010111 11000101 11010101 11011001 01011101 11010101 11100101 10010111 11010101 11110111 11110101 110101001 11010101 11010101 01011101 110011111 11010101 01011101 10010111 11000111 01011101 11000101 010111001 11010001 11010101 11010101 11100101 01010101 100110101 111101001 11010101 01100101 11010101 11011101 01010111 110010101 01011101
  • Amount of stanzas: 4
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 375
  • Average number of words per stanza: 67
  • Amount of lines: 41
  • Average number of symbols per line: 36 (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; and, his, of are repeated.

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

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

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper