Summary
The poem 'Funeral Blues' by W.H. Auden explores themes of grief and loss through its structure and elements.
- Form — The poem is an elegy with 16 lines divided into four quatrains. Example: It uses rhyming couplets (AABB) and is broadly in iambic pentameter, known as 'heroic couplets'.
- Metre and Rhyme Scheme — The poem uses iambic pentameter and sometimes iambic hexameter. Example: The rhyme scheme is AABB, creating a song-like quality.
- Speaker — The speaker is in mourning, expressing intense grief. Example: The speaker's identity is universal, focusing on the emotion of grief.
- Setting — The poem lacks a specific setting to emphasize universality. Example: It suggests a city environment but remains non-specific to highlight the universal experience of loss.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Elegy: A poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.
- Heroic Couplets: Pairs of rhymed lines in iambic pentameter.
Common Confusions
- Confusing the poem's metre as strictly iambic pentameter without recognizing variations.
- Assuming the poem has a specific setting when it is meant to be universal.
Typical Exam Questions
- What is the form of 'Funeral Blues'? The poem is an elegy with rhyming couplets.
- How does the metre contribute to the poem's theme? The variations in metre reflect the speaker's emotional turmoil.
- Why is the setting of 'Funeral Blues' non-specific? To emphasize the universal nature of grief.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Understanding of the poem's structure and form.
- Ability to analyze the impact of metre and rhyme on the poem's mood.
- Interpretation of the speaker's emotions and the poem's universal themes.