GCSE (9-1): Literature: Poetry: AQA Love and Relationships: Neutral Tones: Form

Form of 'Neutral Tones'

appears to be an elegy and possibly autobiographical

general definition of an elegy

a poem of lamentation and mourning for the dead; it can also express a feeling of loss in a broader sense, such as for a way of life or reflection of human morality

characteristics of an elegy in 'Neutral Tones'

the speaker is mourning the death of his relationship with a previously loved one

general characteristics of an elegy's language and structure

It uses formal language and structure and many different emotions can be expressed eg (anger or sadness)

how 'Neutral Tones' fits the linguistic and structural characteristics of an elegy

features a fairly consistent ABBA rhyme scheme, although it is not perfect rhyme and tries to maintain a consistent iambic pentameter but mostly fails

autobiographical definition

based on or involving the writer's own life

how 'Neutral Tones' fits the characteristics of an autobiographical poem

the poem is possibly based on one of Hardy's failed relationships