Analysis of What Fifty Said..

Robert Frost 1874 (San Francisco) – 1963 (Boston)



When I was young my teachers were the old.
I gave up fire for form till I was cold.
I suffered like a metal being cast.
I went to school to age to learn the past.

Now when I am old my teachers are the young.
What can't be molded must be cracked and sprung.
I strain at lessons fit to start a suture.
I got to school to youth to learn the future.


Scheme AABB CCDD
Poetic Form Quatrain 
Metre 1111110001 11110111111 1101010101 1111111101 11111110101 1111011101 11110111010 11111111010
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 346
Words 76
Sentences 9
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 4, 4
Lines Amount 8
Letters per line (avg) 33
Words per line (avg) 9
Letters per stanza (avg) 132
Words per stanza (avg) 37
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on May 02, 2023

23 sec read
698

Robert Frost

Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. His work was initially published in England before it was published in America. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. more…

All Robert Frost poems | Robert Frost Books

153 fans

Discuss this Robert Frost poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "What Fifty Said.." Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/30951/what-fifty-said..>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    days
    3
    hours
    48
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    Which of these famous poems is written in villanelle form?
    A Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
    B Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening
    C Funeral Blues
    D The Owl And The Pussycat