Analysis

Stanza 1:

The first line in the poem is “Loveliest of trees, the cherry now.” For this reason, I think that this poem is most likely about the beauty of a cherry tree in the spring, since the cherry tree is notorious for its beautiful blooms in spring. I also think that the cherry tree might represent good fortune, which will soon disappear.  The next line in the stanza is: “Is hung with bloom along the bough.” Since the blooms and beauty of the cherry tree represents good fortune and wealth, I think that this line means that good fortune is beautiful and plentiful when you have it. The next line of the stanza is: “And stands about the woodland ride.” I think that this means that the cherry tree itself is plentiful, along the path of a forest, where horses can ride. The final line in the stanza is: “Wearing white for Eastertide.” I think that this line is a reference to the white blossoms of the cherry tree near the Easter season, which is in the Spring, near the time the tree’s blossoms peak. I think that this line means that at certain times of the year, good fortune is more plentiful and even more beautiful.

 

Stanza 2:

The first line in this stanza is: “Now, of my threescore years and ten.” This line only makes sense when the context is used in addition to the the next line, which is “Twenty will not come again.” I think that these two lines mean that you cannot get time back. This line fits the phrase “Carpe Diem” because it shows that once time has passed, you cannot get it back. The next line in the stanza is: “And take from seventy springs a score, It only leaves me fifty more.” This line shows that time has passed, and that it cannot be lived again. Since the springtime is when the cherry tree grows best, and the cherry tree represents good fortune, the absence of springs to come may represent a shortfall in good fortune and wealth.

 

Stanza 3:

The first line of this stanza is: “And since to look at things in bloom, Fifty springs are little room.” Since good fortune is represented by the bloom, I think that these lines mean that things do not get better quickly; things get better more slowly.  

The next two lines form a sentence, which is: “About the woodlands I will go to see the cherry hung with snow.” Since the blooms of the cherry tree represent good fortune, the fact that the branches are covered in snow probably means that the good fortune has come to an end. However, the seasons are an endless cycle, so that may symbolize that the good fortune will come again.

 

Figuarative Language:

Personification: "And stands about the woodland ride wearing white for Eastertide."

This is an example of personification becuase a cherry tree is being given the human-like qualities of wearing Eastertide. In the text, this example of personification is being used to show the beauty of the cherry trees in the forest. Due to the symbolsim between the cherry tree and good things in life, I can interpret this example of personification to show the beauty of things in life. 

 

Tone:

In this text, the tone is positive and encouraging. This is because the author uses many words that phrases that are ancouraging to readers. Also, the author is encouraging readers with a positive attitude. The phrases that the author uses include: "Loveliest of trees, the cherry now, And take from seventy springs a score, it leaves me only fifty more," "And since to look at things in bloom" and "Fifty springs are little room."

 

Mood:

The mood of this text is encouraged and positive. This is becuase when I read this poem for the first time, I felt not only encouraged to use my time better in life, but the appreciate what I have and look at life with a positive attitude. There are also many phrases that prove my claim, including "Loveliest of trees, the cherry now, And take from seventy springs a score, it leaves me only fifty more," "And since to look at things in bloom" and "Fifty springs are little room."