Outline

· What is or are the theme(s) of the poem?

· Is there a literal setting or situation in the poem? What lines from the poem tell the reader this information? What details does the author include?

· Is the setting symbolic?

· How would you describe the mood of the poem? What elements contribute to this mood?

· Is the title significant to the poem’s content or meaning? How?

· What major literary devices and figures of speech does the poet use to communicate the theme(s)?

· How are rhyme and other metrical devices used in the poem? Do they support the poem’s overall meaning? Why or why not?

· Is the identity of the poem’s narrator clear? How would you describe this person? What information, if any, does the author provide about him or her?

· Does the narrator seem to have a certain opinion of or attitude about the poem’s subject matter? How can you tell?