“The Charge of the Light Brigade†by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Summary The poem tells the story of a brigade consisting of 600 soldiers who rode on horseback into the “valley of death†for about one and a half miles. The soldiers were obeying a command to charge the enemy forces that had been seizing their … Read more
“I Hear America Singing†by Walt Whitman Vocabulary blithe – lighthearted; carefree robust – healthy and energetic Questions and Answers 1. This poem proceeds roughly in the form of a list. What is the literary term for such a poem? Catalogue verse is the literary term for this form. 2. Describe the overall tone of … Read more
“America Singing.” “O, Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman Vocabulary keel – the body of a ship rack – in this case, stress or torture Questions and Answers 1. Refer to the introduction to Walt Whitman’s poem and explain who the captain is in this poem. The introduction to Walt Whitman’s poetry reveals that this … Read more
A Noiseless Patient Spider by Walt Whitman Vocabulary promontory – part of land that projects out, as into water ductile – in this case, capable of being drawn out into threads gossamer – delicate; gauzy Questions and Answers 1. Why do you think Whitman uses the repetition of “filament, filament, filament†in the fourth line, … Read more
Lucifer in Starlight by George Meredith Questions and Answers 1. What poetic form does “Lucifer in Starlight†follow? The poem is a Petrarchan or Italian sonnet. 2. To what does the allusion, “the old revolt from Awe†refer? The allusion is to the biblical tale of Lucifer’s losing battle with God. Upon his defeat, Lucifer … Read more
“I’m Nobody! Who Are You?†by Emily Dickinson Vocabulary bog – a wet, spongy area of ground, where one is likely to sink, and where frogs live. Questions and Answers 1. Describe the over-all tone of this poem. Answers may vary. Example: The tone is both intimate, drawing the reader into a circle with the … Read more
The Chambered Nautilus by Oliver Wendell Holmes Vocabulary gauze – sewn cloth irised – eye-like Questions and Answers 1. Rather than describe them as sails, Holmes writes, “webs of living gauze.†In what ways are the sails of a ship “living gauzeâ€? Answers may vary. Example: The sails, when being used during a journey, appear … Read more
Requiem by Robert Loius Stevenson 1. Read the introduction to this writer’s life. What is significant about this particular poem? This poem is carved into Stevenson’s gravestone in Samoa. It serves as his epitaph. 2. What does the repetition of “glad†and “I†suggest the tone of the poem to be? The repetition of “glad†… Read more
To an Athlete Dying Young by A.E.Housman Vocabulary threshold – doorway rout – to poke lintel – door frame Questions and Answers 1. What is posited as eternal in Housman’s poem? The poem posits that memories of the athlete’s triumphs will last eternally, though his life was brief. 2. The poem’s first two stanzas are … Read more
Gunga Din by Rudyard Kipling 1. Who is the speaker of the poem? The poem’s speaker is a soldier of the English army fighting in India. 2. What is Gunga Din’s job? How do the others treat him? Gunga Din is the water-boy for the army. The other soldiers seem to treat him as a … Read more
“Recessional†by Rudyard Kipling Vocabulary contrite – remorseful, apologetic pomp – splendor Questions and Answers 1. The poem, an ode, takes the form of a prayer by the speaker. For what is the speaker praying? The speaker is praying for companionship with God during times of war and turmoil. 2. What is the ancient sacrifice … Read more
The Lake Isle of Innisfree by William Butler Yeats Vocabulary wattles – twigs, reeds, and branches linnet – a small bird Questions and Answers 1. The poem is written in hexameter, with the last line of each stanza in tetrameter. How many syllables are in each of the poem’s lines? What is its rhyme scheme? … Read more