This is an analysis of the poem Silent Letter that begins with:

It's what you don't hear
that says struggle...

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: abXb bXcX acXd eedXXe
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,4,6,
  • Closest metre: iambic trimeter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 01111 1110 10111 1111110 010010 0011 10010010 10110 101011 1101010 00101001 11111 111010 1001 110101 11111 110
  • Amount of stanzas: 5
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 78
  • Average number of words per stanza: 16
  • Amount of lines: 17
  • Average number of symbols per line: 22 (very short strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 5
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

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

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

  • summary of Silent Letter;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Katha Pollitt