This is an analysis of the poem To The States that begins with:

WHY reclining, interrogating? Why myself and all drowsing?
What deepening twilight! scum floating atop of the waters!... full text

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: XaXbXXXbaXcc
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 12,
  • Closest metre: trochaic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 1010010101111110 110011110010010 111111111000100 10101000111101111 1010 1110100110110010 101 110101111111111 10 0100101001011011 11001 111111111101001
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 637
  • Average number of words per stanza: 95
  • Amount of lines: 12
  • Average number of symbols per line: 52 (very long strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 8
  • 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.

    The speaker asks many questions. Perhaps, he or she is in confusion.

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

  • summary of To The States;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Walt Whitman