Question

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.

I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.

I have passed by the watchman on his beat

And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

When far away an interrupted cry

Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;

And further still at an unearthly height,

One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.

I have been one acquainted with the night

Who is the speaker in this poem? What kind of person is he or she?

To whom is the speaker speaking, or in other words, who is the audience?

What are the situation and setting in time (era) and place?

What is the purpose of the poem?

State the poem’s central idea or theme in a singular sentence.

Describe the structure of the poem. How does this relate to content?

What is the tone of the poem? How is it achieved?

Notice the poem’s diction. Discuss any words which seem especially well-chosen.

Are there predominant usages of figurative language? What is the effect?

Metaphors

Similes

Imagery

Allusions

Personification

Sumbols

Explain the use of any sound devices and whether or not they aid in conveying tone or theme.

Answer 1

1. ‘Acquainted With the Night’ is written by Robert Frost. The speaker of the poem is a lonely depressed person who is unable to find comfort. He is an isolated person who does not express his feelings.
2. Audience is any speaker who dwells in to their life’s journey.
3. Setting: likely set in early 20^th century, it’s a late night and a quiet city lane. Night symbolises darkness, depression and loneliness. Recently the narrator has walked in the rain and he is now walking alone and depressed, he did meet a watchman on his way however he is unable to explain him his situation.

4)Purpose: To make the audience see through the eyes of speaker who often meanders through the night, trying to escape his loneliness.

5) Themes: Isolation, man and natural world, time, and dissatisfaction

6) Central idea: dark side of human psyche and his life’s journey

7) Terza rima in Iambic pentameter. Structure parallels the speaker journey

8) Tone of the poem is shifting between loneliness, hopelessness an