: third person narrator who is anonymous and detached, sense of a recorder of events, use of voices engaged in a debate, philosophical, confrontational, varied tones throughout the poem – detached, urgent , angry, provocative, defiant, ironic/ use
1 of 9
setting,
, seemingly a rural setting, possible hints of industrial landscape with the furnaces,
2 of 9
ballad style
use of abcb rhyme scheme, use of quatrains,The poem offers symbolic names and metaphorical situations that seem to reveal a sense of doom. There are many cryptic references. It uses speech, questions and answers. It ends on a sense of abandonment.
3 of 9
direct opening with direct speech,
no formal introduction, sequence of questions from various speakers or perhaps one, use of three stanzas for particular questions, final stanza – a sequence of replies, final line the omniscient enigmatic narrator - a story about an overheard conv
4 of 9
use of
natural imagery, use of contrast, use of speech, use of repetition, use of alliteration/ sound echoes, use of grim images – fatal, midden, grave, horror, disease, use of abstract nouns, significance of the title
5 of 9
Summary:
A series of cryptically labelled characters engage in questions and answers that suggest that something bad is about to happen. The last stanza suggests that those who were first questioned turn the tables on the questioners and leave them t
6 of 9
Links to Other Poems
It is like “O What is that Sound” in its use of questions and in its sense of approaching threat. It shares a pessimistic view of life with most of the other poems. It is structured in a repetitive, self-referential way, like “If I Could Tell You.” I
7 of 9
Themes
Deals with a sense of impending doom and a wish to escape. It seems to offer wisdom, but in a cryptic and ultimately depressing form. Style:
8 of 9
Aspects of Narrative:
It has no clear narrative. It suggests a range of possible stories, which are hinted at in fragments.
9 of 9
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
, seemingly a rural setting, possible hints of industrial landscape with the furnaces,
Back
setting,
Card 3
Front
use of abcb rhyme scheme, use of quatrains,The poem offers symbolic names and metaphorical situations that seem to reveal a sense of doom. There are many cryptic references. It uses speech, questions and answers. It ends on a sense of abandonment.
Back
Card 4
Front
no formal introduction, sequence of questions from various speakers or perhaps one, use of three stanzas for particular questions, final stanza – a sequence of replies, final line the omniscient enigmatic narrator - a story about an overheard conv
Back
Card 5
Front
natural imagery, use of contrast, use of speech, use of repetition, use of alliteration/ sound echoes, use of grim images – fatal, midden, grave, horror, disease, use of abstract nouns, significance of the title
Comments
No comments have yet been made