Page 208 - 100 Best Loved Poems - Teaching Unit

“The Red Wheelbarrow”
by William Carlos Williams, page 87

Vocabulary
[none]

1. Although we would call this a free verse poem, each strophe is precisely arranged in the same
way as the others. What “form” do the strophes take?

2. Why do you think Williams does not go into greater detail when describing the wheelbarrow
and chickens? Why only tell us one thing about them (in this case, their colors)?

3. “Wheelbarrow” is written as one word in the title, but divided in the second strophe. Why does
Williams divide it in the body of the poem?

4. What is your interpretation of the poem?

“The River-Merchant’s Wife: A Letter”
by Ezra Pound, pages 87-88

Vocabulary
eddies – currents

1. The first strophe of this poem ends with “Two small people, without dislike or suspicion.” The
second begins with “At fourteen I married My Lord you.” Comment on the transition. What
has changed about their relationship in addition to their getting married?

2. How do the butterflies “hurt” the river-merchant’s wife?

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