Is the poem in a fixed form or free verse?

Question

2. If the poem is in a fixed form, what fixed form is it?
3. What characteristics tell you about the form?
4. What is the poem about? What is its subject-matter?
How is the form of the poem used to structure the presentation
of the subject-matter?
6. What is the theme, the underlying philosophical idea of the
poem?
7. What is the dominant mood of the poem?
8. Which words convey this mood?
9. Does the mood alter in the course of the poem? If so, how and
why?
10. Explain how and why the diction of the poem is appropriate to
the subject-matter and the mood?
11. What poetic devices and figurative language does the poet use?
12. What is the purpose and effect of the figurative language and
poetic devices? Explain each one separately.
Is the rhythm constant or does it vary? How do we know?
14. What is the purpose and effect of this constant or varying
rhythm?
15. Is the rhythm appropriate to the mood/subject-matter of the
poem?
16. Is the poet’s attitude subjective (emotional) or objective
(rational)?
17. Which words, if any, convey emotion?
Which words have sensory appeal? What is the effect of such
appeal?
19. What feelings does the poem arouse in you? Which words
particularly affect you? Explain each one carefully.
20. Has the poet combined thoughts, feelings or diction in a new
way? Does he/she approach these ideas from a new perspective?
Does he/she give you a new depth of understanding of the subject?
Answer the above questions according to the following poem:
We stood by a pond that winter day,
And the sun was white, as though chidden of God,
And a few leaves lay on the starving sod,
--They had fallen from an ash, and were gray.

Your eyes on me were as eyes that rove
Over tedious riddles solved years ago;
And some words played between us to and fro
On which lost the more by our love.

The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing
Alive enough to have strength to die;
And a grin of bitterness swept thereby
Like an ominous bird a wing...

Since then, keen lessons that love deceives,
And wrings with wrong, have shaped to me
Your face, and the God curst sun, and a tree,
And a pond edged with grayish leaves.

Answer 1

Here's an analysis of the provided poem "Neutral Tones" by Thomas Hardy, addressing each of your questions:

1. Fixed form or free verse?
   The poem is in a fixed form, specifically a structured form with stanzas.

2. Fixed form identification:
   It consists of four quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABBA) in each stanza.

3. Characteristics of the form:
   The use of quatrains and a controlled rhyme scheme gives a sense of structure and order, contrasting with the themes of uncertainty and melancholy within the poem.

4. Subject-matter of the poem:
   The poem explores themes of lost love and emotional desolation. It captures a moment of reflection by a pond in winter, evoking feelings of nostalgia and sorrow.

5. Form’s contribution to the subject-matter:
   The rigid structure of the quatrains mirrors the speaker's feelings of entrapment in a painful memory, enhancing the sense of regret and longing through its orderly presentation.

6. Theme of the poem:
   The underlying philosophical idea revolves around the disillusionment of love and the bitterness that often accompanies it. It also reflects on the nature of memory and how it can be tainted by pain.

7. Dominant mood of the poem:
   The dominant mood is somber and melancholic, characterized by a sense of loss and resignation.

8. Words conveying mood:
   Words such as "starving," "gray," "deadest," "bitterness," and "omen" contribute significantly to the poem’s somber mood.

9. Mood alteration:
   While the poem maintains a generally melancholic tone, there is a slight variation in intensity, particularly in the transition from the moment by the pond to the reflections on the lessons learned from love.

10. Diction’s appropriateness:
    The diction is bleak and stark, reflecting the emotional weight of loss and disappointment. Words that evoke images of decay and barrenness enhance the mood of despair.

11. Poetic devices and figurative language:

• Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the pond, leaves, and the sun create a visual representation of the scene.
• Metaphor: The sun is described as "chidden of God," suggesting a loss of warmth or divine approval.
• Simile: “Your eyes on me were as eyes that rove” compares the gaze to something more evasive.

12. Purpose and effect of figurative language:

• Imagery immerses the reader in the setting, evoking emotional responses linked to nature.
• Metaphor deepens the perception of the sun, enhancing feelings of alienation.
• Simile illustrates emotional distance and the complexity of the speaker's feelings, emphasizing detachment.

13. Rhythm:
    The rhythm of the poem is mostly consistent, with an iambic beat that varies slightly for emphasis. This creates a musical quality while maintaining the serious mood.

14. Purpose and effect of rhythm:
    The consistent rhythm contributes to the contemplative quality of the poem, but the variations emphasize moments of emotional intensity, reflecting the complexity of the speaker's feelings.

15. Appropriateness of rhythm:
    Yes, the rhythm complements the mood of the poem, as its regularity provides a sense of order amidst chaotic emotions.

16. Artist’s attitude:
    The poet's attitude is subjective (emotional), driven by personal reflections and the weight of past experiences.

17. Emotion-conveying words:
    Words like "deadest," "bitterness," and "wrings" convey strong emotions, emphasizing themes of loss and pain.

18. Sensory appeal words:
    Descriptive terms like "starving," "grayish leaves," and "cold" provide sensory appeal, enhancing the visual and emotional landscape of the poem.

19. Personal feelings aroused:
    The poem evokes feelings of sadness, nostalgia, and empathy. For example, "starving" and "deadest" create vivid images of despair that resonate deeply.

20. New combinations and perspectives:
    Hardy combines nature with emotional reflection in a profound way, approaching themes of love and loss with a unique lens that resonates with universal experiences of heartbreak and disillusionment.

This detailed analysis provides insights into the poem's form, mood, and themes, as well as the effectiveness of its diction and figurative language.