This is an analysis of the poem In The Harbour: Sundown that begins with:

The summer sun is sinking low;
Only the tree-tops redden and glow:... 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: aabXa ccddc bXeeb
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 5,5,5,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: enclosed rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: rondeau
  • Metre: 01010101 100111011 100100101 001001001010 1001101 110010101 1111011001 1111111 11101100 11111 101011111 0010111110 101100101 1001010111 110101
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 171
  • Average number of words per stanza: 34
  • Amount of lines: 15
  • Average number of symbols per line: 34 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 7
  • 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.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; and is repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same word only is repeated.

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

  • summary of In The Harbour: Sundown;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow