neutral tones

Question 1

We stood by a pond that winter day

Answer 1

‘stood’- lack of physical movement contributes to lifeless atmosphere. ‘winter’ reflects their feeling - emotionally cold towards each other

Question 2

And the sun was white, as though chidden of God

Answer 2

The sun is drained of warmth and colour- reflects relationship. Imagines that God has scolded the sun, adding to the bleak mood of the poem.

Question 3

A few leaves lay on the starving sod

Answer 3

Alliteration and personification emphasise the impression of suffering - the lifeless ground reflects their dying relationship

Question 4

Your eyes on me were the things that rove over tedious riddles of years ago

Answer 4

the ‘eyes’ are shown to be negative here unlike traditional love poems. ‘rove over’ - enjambment - reflects the boredom that she feels.

Question 5

The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing

Answer 5

Oxymoron as smiles are supposed to be happy - emphasises her lack of feeling towards him.

Question 6

Like an ominous bird a-wing

Answer 6

Simile, suggests the end of the relationship

Question 7

And a pond edged with greyish leaves

Answer 7

Poem begins and ends with the pond - shows how the memory stills affects him. The leaves are grey because they’re rotting - reflects the decaying of their love.