This is an analysis of the poem This Direction Taken... that begins with:

Do or don't...
Whatever! ...

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: AbCADEEFA afbXeeda AbCADEEFA acafefXdaX
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 9,8,9,10,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: rondeau rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 111 110 1010101 01010101 1110011 1110101001 0101 0011001 101001 111011 0111 011010 1110101 00100111 10101110 0010101010 11011111 111 110 1010101 01010101 1110011 1110101001 0101 0011001 101001 0111110010 10111101001001 1100011 1111011 111010100 110101 1101111011 001010 0111110010 110111101
  • Amount of stanzas: 4
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 262
  • Average number of words per stanza: 47
  • Amount of lines: 36
  • Average number of symbols per line: 28 (strings are less long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 5
  • 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.

    There are many three dots in the poem. Readers should think of the author's idea together with the pensive speaker.

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

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

  • summary of This Direction Taken...;
  • 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