He Never Expected Much

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

Three Stanza poem with a consistent rhyme scheme

Question 2

“While some have shown contempt of me / Till they dropped underground”

Answer 2

• A similar ending for everyone - despite their attitudes toward life.
• Everyone dies at the end, so be neutral towards life’s happenings.

Question 3

“Well world, you have kept faith with me, kept faith with me”

Answer 3

-sing-songy, repetitive diction is a direct contrast to the bleak outlook provided.
-echo, reflection: age and wisdom
-reassurance in the meeting of expectations.

Question 4

“In that mysterious voice you shed / From clouds and hills around”

Answer 4

-“You” is an apostrophe, referring to the world.
-the world is imbued in nature, all around us.
-“mysterious” shows a lack of understanding to how the world works.

Question 5

“Just neutral-tinted haps and such”

Answer 5

Monochromatic, seems relaxed. Shows the neutral attitude poet has towards life. Words like “haps” are colloquial and makes the poem seem more casual

Question 6

Form

Answer 6

Three stanzas are separated into sets of eight lines, known as octaves. These octaves follow a simple and consistent rhyme scheme of AAABCCCB.

Question 6

Time Period

Answer 6

Victorian era. had a class based society, growing economy in Britain, mo