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

The prophets sons, in time of old,
Though to appearance poor;... 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: abab caca dede fcfc aaaa bgbg hchcXdfdf
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,4,4,4,4,9,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: rima
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 01010101 100101 01010101 1100101 01110111 110101 11011001 111101 01010111 110111 10110101 110101 11110001 110011 11010101 011111 01011111 111100 10011111 010111 01010101 010001 01010101 010101 11110001 111111 01111111 100101 11010101 010101 01100101 110101
  • Amount of stanzas: 8
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 122
  • Average number of words per stanza: 23
  • Amount of lines: 32
  • Average number of symbols per line: 30 (strings are less long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; and, his are repeated.

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

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

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by John Newton