GCSE (9-1): Literature: Poetry: AQA Love and Relationships: Sonnet 29 - 'I Think of Thee: Structure

point of view definition

the type of narrator in the text

4 types of points of view in literature

first-person point of view (I), second-person point of view (you), third-person point of view, limited ("he" or "she") - the narrator is outside of the story and relating the experiences of a specific character - and third-person point of view, omniscient. The story is still about "he" or "she," but the narrator has full access to the thoughts and experiences of all characters in the story.

point of view in 'Sonnet 29 - 'I think of thee!'

mainly first-person point of view, but also second person point of view

effect of the first person point of view in 'Sonnet 29 - 'I think of thee!'

gives us access to the speaker's thoughts, emotions, experiences and memories - we see the world through her eyes as reflected in the extended metaphor of nature

effect of the second person point of view in 'Sonnet 29 - 'I think of thee!'

emphasises that this poem is a direct emotional appeal to the reader; Shelley may have directed this poem to someone in particular

cyclical structure definition

ending with the same topic the text begins with

evidence of the cyclical structure in 'Sonnet 29 - 'I think of thee!'

the poem starts with 'I think of thee!' and ends with 'I do not think of thee'

effect of the cyclical structure in 'Sonnet 29 - 'I think of thee!'

the change of wording from 'I think of thee!' to 'I do not think of thee' suggests a resolution

enjambment

the continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line, eg, the first sentence of the poem flows over the first three lines.

effects of enjambment in 'Sonnet 29 - 'I think of thee!'

enjambment: the lines often flow onto the next line, reflecting the overwhelming need to express her thoughts eg, 'I will not have my thoughts instead of thee / Who art dearer, better!'

Setting

The physical location as well as time period in which the story takes place

setting in 'Sonnet 29 - 'I think of thee!'

no established setting in the poem; instead, the poet creates natural scenes which work as metaphors for human companionship, eg, 'Renew thy presence; as a strong tree should,'

allusion

a reference to earlier pieces of literature or, sometimes, history

allusion in 'Sonnet 29 - 'I think of thee!'

as wild vines, about a tree,' is possibly an allusion to the gospel of John, chapter 15, verse 15, which claims that Jesus said: 'I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing'

effects of allusion in ''Sonnet 29 - 'I think of thee!'

the gospel of John, chapter 15, verse 15 suggests that humans can do nothing if not connected to God and Barrett-Browning compares this idea to her feelings about her future husband, that she cannot be without him