This is an analysis of the poem A Leave-Taking that begins with:

She will not smile;
She will not stir;... 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: aXaXbcbc debeffff fgfghdhd
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 8,8,8,
  • Closest metre: iambic trimeter
  • Сlosest rhyme: rima
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 1011 1011 1101 1110 01110 1011 010010 0101 0111 0101 1100 1111 11010 110 11010 1111 1101 1101 1011 0101 11110 1111 10010 111
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 140
  • Average number of words per stanza: 29
  • Amount of lines: 24
  • Average number of symbols per line: 17 (very short strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 4
  • 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; her, hair are repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same words she, i, her are repeated.

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

  • summary of A Leave-Taking;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by James Whitcomb Riley