Poem Analysis

Somethings to keep in mind:

1. Unpack what the poem is
about. Think about the
mood and tone set by the
author.
2. Pay attention to the
rhythm.
3. Look for enjambment.
4. Consider the Poetic Form.

Poems Analysis
Prayer for the
21st Century
John Marsden
Prayer for the 21st
Century
May the road be free for the journey
May it lead where it promised it would
May the stars that gave ancient bearing
Be seen, still be understood.
May every aircraft fly safely,
May every traveler be found,
May sailors in crossing the ocean
Not hear the cries of the drowned.
Prayer for the 21st
Century
May gardens be wild, like jungles,
May nature never be tamed,
May dangers create of us heroes,
May fears always have names.
May the mountains stand to remind us
Of what it means to be young,
May we be outlived by our daughters
May we be outlived by our sons.
Prayer for the 21st
Century
May the bombs rust away in the bunkers,
And the doomsday clock not be rewound,
May the solitary scientists working,
Remember the holes in the ground.
May the knife remain in the holder,
May the bullet stay in the gun,
May those who live in the shadows
Be seen by those in the sun.​
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7GjMw0zs-I

What do you realise about the rhythm?

Rhythm and
Rhyme
What can you tell me about the structure of the
poem?
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7GjMw0zs-I

What do you realise about the rhythm?

Rhythm and There is a line break after every two lines. We
Rhyme know this, as the author has connected every two
lines with a theme or idea.
What can you tell me about the structure of the
poem?
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7GjMw0zs-I

What do you realise about the rhythm?

Rhythm and There is a line break after every two lines. We know
this, as the author has connected every two lines with a
Rhyme theme or idea.

What can you tell me about the structure of the poem?

Every stanza has 8 lines.
The rhyming pattern for each stanza is ABACDEDF.
 3 Stanzas: Each stanza has a theme or idea
that it portrays.

1st Stanza: The Journey.

Poetic
Structure
2nd Stanza: Dangers and the past.

3rd Stanza: The future built upon the

mistakes of the past.
Activity
1. I will assign a stanza to you. Remember your stanza!
2. Go get your English Workbook. You will be working
individually.
3. Write down the Title: Poem Analysis of “Prayer for
the 21st Century”
4. Paste the poem into your book underneath the title.
5. In your own words, explain to me what the author is
trying to express. By connecting your interpretation
to the lines on the copy of the poem.
6. I will choose randomly, students to give me their
interpretation, so have them ready. You will be given
15 minutes at most.
Activity 2

1. In your workbook.
2. Draw your interpretation of 2 enjambed lines your stanza.
Things to consider:
• Colour: Your colours will set your mood and tone. Darker colours give a heavier
feeling. E.g. A black atmosphere can represent danger or oppression.
• Themes: What themes are represented. Show me your representation of the
lines through pictures or words, an example; a long winding road leading to
the distance. You might also include the actual lines themselves to reinforce
meaning behind your images.
• Representation can be both literal and metaphorical, the choice is yours.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPqM9Nseyj0