Author: Ano Sensei
Format: Video
Structure: Dactylic metre, Irregular
Related content:
Thomas Hardy, "The Voice": Reading and in-depth analysis
What's covered:
Dactylic meter (DUM di di pattern) and how to scan rhythm
Rhyme scheme analysis (ABAB pattern with variations)
Half-rhyme and three-syllable rhyme techniques
How irregularities create emphasis and emotional effect
The shift in the final stanza and what it reveals
Who it's for:
For students learning to analyze poetic technique, A-Level/university literature courses, or anyone who wants to understand how form creates meaning in poetry.
0:00 Intro
0:15 First stanza: Reading
0:34 Alliteration (for emphasis): "Woman much missed"
0:57 Repetition: "call to me, call to me"
1:09 Three-syllable rhyme (echo effect): "all to me"
1:22 Rhyme and rhythm in the first stanza
2:20 A detailed analysis of the rhythm: Missing weak syllable at the end of line 4
4:38 A detailed analysis of the rhyme: Half-rhyme of "were" and "fair"
5:26 A detailed analysis of the irregularities in the rhythm and rhyme in line 4
6:19 The negative tone of the opening stanza
6:29 The complicated time line
6:51 The switch to a positive tone through the word "fair"
7:11 A rhythmic "foot": The relationship between technique and tone
7:39 Second and third stanzas: Reading
6: 24 Analysis of the second and third stanzas
8:36 The irregular last lines of both stanzas: What effect does the irregularity have?
9:30 The final stanza: Reading
9:48 The complete change of rhythm; the "faltering" rhythm mirrors the faltering poet
10:18 The change in the focus of the poem and the way that is reflected by changes in technique
11:05 The way in which the technique sets the tone of the poem
Rhyme and rhythm in Hardy's short poem "The Voice". Subscribe to "Ano sensei!" and never miss another video!
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18 Comments
0:00 Intro
0:15 First stanza: Reading
0:34 Alliteration (for emphasis): “Woman much missed”
0:57 Repetition: “call to me, call to me”
1:09 Three-syllable rhyme (echo effect): “all to me”
1:22 Rhyme and rhythm in the first stanza
2:20 A detailed analysis of the rhythm: Missing weak syllable at the end of line 4
4:38 A detailed analysis of the rhyme: Half-rhyme of “were” and “fair”
5:26 A detailed analysis of the irregularities in the rhythm and rhyme in line 4
6:19 The negative tone of the opening stanza
6:29 The complicated time line
6:51 The switch to a positive tone through the word “fair”
7:11 A rhythmic “foot”: The relationship between technique and tone
7:39 Second and third stanzas: Reading
6: 24 Analysis of the second and third stanzas
8:36 The irregular last lines of both stanzas: What effect does the irregularity have?
9:30 The final stanza: Reading
9:48 The complete change of rhythm; the “faltering” rhythm mirrors the faltering poet
10:18 The change in the focus of the poem and the way that is reflected by changes in technique
11:05 The way in which the technique sets the tone of the poem
life saver thank you❤️
Any time!
Thank you so much. We studied this poem for English A level in 1978. I had a wonderful teacher who brought English literature alive for me and gave me a lifelong joy. I’m now 64 and have lived in Germany longer than I lived in England. Your explanation brought back fond memories and the joy of discovering literature.
Thank you so much for the feedback. I too have spent more of my life outside England (in Spain and Japan) than I have in it! Hardy’s poetry takes me back to family holidays in Dorset many years ago.
rocks. thanks.
You’re welcome!
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thank you! you helped with my essay!
I’m glad you found it useful!
@anosensei Thank you so much I got a 96!!!! I am going to subscribe to your channel. Arigato!!!!!
Congratulations!! I have quite a busy schedule, but if there are any particular poems you’d like me to explain let me know & I’ll see what I can do!
@anosensei All right sir. I do not have any specific requests for now but I would like you to continue your hard work by making these amazing videos!
Will do!
You’ve clearly differentiated rhyme and rhythm. Great!
I’m glad you like it!
Thank you!Very helpful!
I’m glad you found it useful. I’m planning some more poetry analysis videos, but I keep getting distracted by other projects!