This is an analysis of the poem The Ruffian that begins with:

IN the splendid casket of its scarlet lining
His two and thirty teeth's enamel is shining....

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: aabccX ccbddb eefcXf XXXcXe X
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 6,6,6,6,1,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: couplets
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: heroic couplets
  • Metre: 001010001010 011101010010 0111110101 1001001101 1100100001 1101110100 01011001110 01011101110 1011001101 0100011001 1001010101 1011011001 1100011001 10010111101 0111010101 0101111111 1101010110 1101110101 11010111010 1010010011010 11000110001 01111101010 111011011010 11010100101 01011010
  • Amount of stanzas: 5
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 224
  • Average number of words per stanza: 39
  • Amount of lines: 25
  • Average number of symbols per line: 44 (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.

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

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

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

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

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Jean Moréas