This is an analysis of the poem Forgotten Language that begins with:

Once I spoke the language of the flowers,
Once I understood each word the caterpillar said,...

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: AbXXbaXXcACC
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 12,
  • Closest metre: trochaic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 1110100010 1110111010101 11101010100010 110101000100 011 1111101010 0010 11010011010 101 1110100010 1001 1001
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 400
  • Average number of words per stanza: 75
  • Amount of lines: 12
  • 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.

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

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

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

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

  • summary of Forgotten Language;
  • 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