Structure stanzas •6 represents a significant stage of the relationship •Each -between the skaters -between the individuals reader can easily trace the development and demise of the rel. by viewing the opening words •The of each stanza: 1.“At first…” 2.“At first…” 4.“Later…” *Note the poets careful choice 5.“Last of all…” of words 6.“Last of all…” Mood and Tone mood is quite high-spirited and exciting at the beginning of the poem but changes to become •The quite low-spirited and sad towards the end. is a hint of inevitability from beg. to end and a strong sense of regret and sadness. •There tone is sometimes quite scheming in nature, hence the poet’s deliberate use of brackets to •The indicate private thoughts: secretly I’ll be hoping…)”, secretly perhaps we may be “(Though “(Though hoping…)” Language yet effective •Simple, chosen words and phrases e.g. thaw”, cracks”, •Carefully “scramble”, “steady “creeping the ice” “acquaintance”, “jealous”, “break
Structure •6 stanzas •Each represents a significant stage of the relationship -between the skaters -between the individuals •The reader can easily trace the development and demise of the rel. by viewing the opening words of each stanza: 1.“At first…” 2.“At first…” 4.“Later…” *Note the poets careful choice 5.“Last of all…” of words 6.“Last of all…” Mood and Tone •The mood is quite high-spirited and exciting at the beginning of the poem but changes to become quite low-spirited and sad towards the end. •There is a hint of inevitability from beg. to end and a strong sense of regret and sadness. •The tone is sometimes quite scheming in nature, hence the poet’s deliberate use of brackets to indicate private thoughts: “(Though secretly I’ll be hoping…)”, “(Though secretly perhaps we may be hoping…)” Language •Simple, yet effective •Carefully chosen words and phrases e.g. “scramble”, “steady thaw”, “creeping cracks”, “acquaintance”, “jealous”, “break the ice”