Poetry Analysis

1. Read the poem. Highlight AND label 3 poetry techniques that the author uses in the
poem. Use the comment feature on Google Docs to comment right next to a particular
part of the text. (10 points)
2. Then, answer the questions under the poem about tone. Be sure to be as specific as
possible. (20 points)

Alone
Maya Angelou, 1928 - 2014

Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone

czuvia30289 4/30/15 10:46 PM

Comment [1]: Home and stone are all
rhyming. Rhyming means to end in the
same vowel sound.

I came up with one thing

And I dont believe Im wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.

czuvia30289 4/30/15 10:53 PM

Comment [2]: When the author says,
"Can make it out here alone," s/he uses
repetition. Repetition is the recurrence of
words, phrases, lines and groups of lines.

Alone, all alone

Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
There are some millionaires
With money they cant use
Their wives run round like banshees
Their children sing the blues
Theyve got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone.
But nobody
No, nobody

czuvia30289 4/30/15 10:53 PM

Comment [3]: When the author says
"Their wives run round like banshees," she
is using simile. Simile compares to things
by using words like: "like" or "as". In this
cause, the author uses the word "like".

Can make it out here alone.

Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Now if you listen closely
Ill tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

What is the tone of the poem?

The author creates the tone of the poem darker and not upbeat.

HOW does the author create that particular tone? Be specific and be sure to
thoughtfully explain the specific textual evidence that points to a particular tone.
The author creates the tone of the poem darker and not upbeat by using sensory details such as
Storm clouds are gathering, the wind is gonna blow. This technique helps create the tone
because I can imagine the setting slowly getting darker. When I am happy, I think of the sun
bursting light through a flower meadow. In this case, I imagine a huge storm coming with no
sunlight to cheer me up. Therefore, I know that the tone is darker because there are no bright

czuvia30289 4/30/15 10:56 PM

Comment [4]: The author uses more
than just 3 techniques. S/he also uses
sensory details. Sensory details give the
reader an image of what is happening in
the poem.

colors.

TOTAL SCORE: 30/30 points

Excellent use of the techniques to clearly explain how the author created a tone of
loneliness. Awesome! Just be sure you keep in mind that darker is not quite an attitude,
but rather an adjective.