literary analysis: rhyme
One method poets have for creating sounds that appeal to
readers and listeners is to use rhyme. Rhyme is the repetition
of sounds at the ends of words. A poet may develop a
pattern of rhyme that stays much the same throughout a
poem. In this example from “The Village Blacksmith,” lines
that rhyme are labeled with the same letter:
Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands;
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands;
a
b
a
b
As you read “Sea-Fever” and “The Village Blacksmith,” record
rhyming words in a log like the one shown.
“Sea-Fever”
“The Village Blacksmith”
•
tree/he
reading skill: recognize rhythm
Poems and songs often have a distinct rhythm, or beat. It
is created by putting stress, or emphasis, on some syllables
and not on others. Read the first line of “Sea-Fever.” Notice
the pattern of stressed ( ) and unstressed ( ) syllables.
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and
the sky,
As you read the following poems, notice their patterns of
rhythm.
Review: Paraphrase
vocabulary in context
The poets use the following words in their poems about
work. Match each numbered word or phrase with the
vocabulary word that is closest in meaning.
word
list
brawny
1. strong and muscular
2. lean and tough
repose
sinewy
vagrant
3. moving from place to place
4. freedom from work
John Masefield:
Poet of the Sea
John Masefield’s
love of the
ocean began in
childhood. He
received part of
his education at
a floating school,
on a ship called
John Masefield
the HMS Conway.
1878–1967
His first job was a
position on the crew of an ocean liner.
An illness eventually forced him to
return to dry land, but his love of the
water continued to play an important
role in his life and his writing.
Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow:
American Original
Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow got
an early start on
college—at age
14. By graduation,
he had published
nearly 40 poems.
Henry Wadsworth
Poems such as
Longfellow
“The Song of
1807–1882
Hiawatha” and
“Paul Revere’s Ride” made Longfellow
one of the most popular American
poets of his time. When he died, the
British government gave Longfellow
a memorial in Westminster Abbey’s
Poets’ Corner, where the greatest
British poets are buried. He was the
first American to receive this honor.
more about the author
For more on these poets, visit the
Literature Center at ClassZone.com.
559