This is an analysis of the poem Daddy What If? that begins with:

(Daddy what if the sun stop shinin' what would happen then?)
If the sun stopped shinin' you'd be so surprised...

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:
  • Stanza lengths (in strings):
  • Closest metre:
  • Сlosest rhyme:
  • Сlosest stanza type:
  • Guessed form:
  • Metre:
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 1209
  • Average number of words per stanza: 229
  • Amount of lines: 22
  • Average number of symbols per line: 54 (very long strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 10
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; and, would, grass, you, again, stop, lovin', me are repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same words and, you are repeated.

    There is a poetic device epiphora at the end of some neighboring lines again is repeated).

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

  • summary of Daddy What If?;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Shel Silverstein