This is an analysis of the poem To Eva Descending The Stair that begins with:

Clocks cry: stillness is a lie, my dear;
The wheels revolve, the universe keeps running....

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: AbA abA abA abA abAXabAA
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 3,3,3,3,8,
  • Closest metre: trochaic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: rondeau rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 111000111 01010101110 111010101 0101110001 11010110010 111000111 1001011011 101010001010 111010101 101110101 01010101110 111000111 10010100001 11010001010 111010101 1001010101 010010100010 111000111 111010101
  • Amount of stanzas: 6
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 131
  • Average number of words per stanza: 23
  • Amount of lines: 19
  • Average number of symbols per line: 41 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 7
  • 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 To Eva Descending The Stair;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Sylvia Plath