This is an analysis of the poem Destroying Themselves that begins with:

Each one was given an ax.
To clear the debris on paths they chose....

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: abXcdbefb XX bd bX eeee XXafXX gf XfeXbeeXXcfg
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 9,2,2,2,4,6,2,12,
  • Closest metre: trochaic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 1111011 010011111 1010010 11110001 0010110101 010100 11101011 001111111 0011111001 1111011 1110100011 10001 11101001001 11101001 1111001 1101001010 001011101010 1110010 1101011010 1 1 11111101011 11001111010 1010 11001001111000 101110100010 11001 1111001 01000111 100100010011 111110010010 1100101011 1010 10111010 0100101010100 1 101 001010010
  • Amount of stanzas: 9
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 140
  • Average number of words per stanza: 24
  • Amount of lines: 38
  • Average number of symbols per line: 32 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

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

  • summary of Destroying Themselves;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Lawrence S. Pertillar