A lady Poem

Directions: Respond to these questions to the best of your ability. Answer the
questions completely. If you need more space, use the back or a separate sheet.
1. Identify two examples of simile: explain which two things are being compared in
each simile.
You are beautiful and faded
Like an old opera tune
Played upon a harpsichord;
Or like the sun-flooded silks
Of an eighteenth-century boudoir.
In these two similes, the lady is compared to an old opera tune played on a
harpsichord and the lady is also compared to sun-flooded silks or an eighteenth
century boudoir.
2. Identify two examples of metaphor: explain which two things are being compared
in each metaphor.
In your eyes / Smoulder the fallen roses of outlived minutes: in this example, time
passed is compared to fallen roses.
My vigor is a new-minted penny: compares the speaker's vigor to a penny.
And the perfume of your soul / Is vague and suffusing / With the pungence of sealed
spice-jars: students may interpret the perfume of the soul line to be a metaphor. I
believe that it is an example of personification, but I would give them credit for it. In
both cases, when she compares it to the pungence of sealed spice-jars, that is a
metaphor.
3. Identify one example of personification: explain what is being personified and
how.
the perfume of your soul Is vague and suffusing: the soul is being personified, as it
cannot wear perfume.
Students may also interpret the phrase "outlived minutes" to be an example of
personification.
4. Identify one example of hyperbole: explain what is being exaggerated.
And I grow mad with gazing / at your blent colors::the speaker is exaggerating the
effect of gazing at the lady. The speaker is not literally going mad.

5. What is the subject of this poem? What is this poem about? Explain your
response.
This poem is about a vigorous young woman staring at an old lady. The speaker is
quite intrigued by the appearance of the old lady, and she hope that the old woman is
amused by her as well.
6. What is the tone of this poem? How does the speaker treat the subject of the
poem? Refer to text.
The speaker is intrigued by the old woman and does not hesitate to compliment her.
She is mainly respectful, but perhaps a bit untactfully honest. This is shown in lines
like: "You are beautiful and faded." It is nice to call her beautiful, but I don't think
anyone would like to be called faded, even if it is an acurate statement.
7. What is the mood of this poem? How does this poem make you feel? Refer to
text in your response.
The mood of the poem is still and calm. It feels as though I am waiting. Like the
speaker, the old woman and I are all waiting around at a retirement home or
something. Phrases like this: "And I grow mad with gazing," make me feel like we
have all been waiting around for a while.