Understanding the Poem
What health condition does the speaker have?
Asthma
What item does the speaker wear when he goes outside?
A straw hat
How does living by the river affect the speaker's health?
It seems to improve his asthma.
What is it called when a line runs into the next without punctuation? look ate the first three lines.
Enjambment
Where is the speaker’s house located?
by the river
What type of house does the speaker live in?
A thatched hut
How does the quiet environment make the speaker feel?
More rested and happy
The line “It is quiet too. No crowds” ends with a period. What type of line is this?
End-stopped
Who brings the speaker his straw hat?
his son
What natural feature near his home likely helps the speaker feel better?
The river
Why doesn’t the speaker feel bothered in his new home?
There are no crowds.
True or False: The poem has a lot of commas or pauses within lines.
False
What does the speaker gather from outside?
fresh vegetables
What does the speaker collect from nature?
fresh vegetables
What does the speaker mean when he says he feels “brighter” in this setting?
He feels more positive and uplifted by the peaceful, natural surroundings.
What effect does the period in “Long time.” have on the line?
It creates a pause, emphasizing how long he’s had asthma.
What word does the speaker use to describe how he gives the vegetables to others?
friendship
How does the speaker feel about the quietness of his home?
It makes him feel rested and happy.
What overall effect does nature have on the speaker’s life?
It brings him peace, helps his health, and makes him feel happier.
In the line “It is quiet too. No crowds,” what effect does the period between “too” and “No” create, and what is this type of pause called?
The period creates a brief pause that emphasizes the quietness and solitude, drawing attention to the absence of crowds. This type of pause within a line is called a caesura.