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

When I look back upon my life nigh spent,
Nigh spent, although the stream as yet flows on,...

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: ababbcbc
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 8,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: blank verse
  • Metre: 1111011111 1111011111 1101010101 1110111101 0111011101 1100100001 10011011111 0111100101
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 350
  • Average number of words per stanza: 66
  • Amount of lines: 8
  • 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 A Prayer;
  • 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