This is an analysis of the poem A Dead House that begins with:

When the clock hath ceased to tick
Soul-like in the gloomy hall;...

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: ababcdcd efeffgfg hdhdigig bgbgjeje
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 8,8,8,8,
  • Closest metre: iambic trimeter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 1011101 1100101 1011111 1100111 1111101 1110101 1110101 1011101 1111111 1010101 1110111 1011101 1011101 11101001 1010101 1010111 1010101 0110101 0010101 1010001 0011101 0010101 1110111 1010101 1001101 10101001 1111111 1010111 1111101 1010111 1100101 0011111
  • Amount of stanzas: 4
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 262
  • Average number of words per stanza: 48
  • Amount of lines: 32
  • Average number of symbols per line: 32 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    There are many exclamation marks in the poem. The speaker is excited. He or she has strong feelings on the subject that is described in the poem.

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

  • summary of A Dead House;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by George MacDonald