Page 44 - 100 Best Loved Poems - Teaching Unit

6. What is the rhyme of lines 29 and 31 more commonly known as?

The two lines, ending with “toil” and “smile,” respectively, exemplify half-rhyme.

7. What does the speaker say about the paths of glory in lines 33-36?

The speaker asserts that the paths of glory, or all human achievement, inevitably lead to
death, or “the grave.”

8. In lines 55-60, to what or whom does the speaker compare a flower in the desert? Does the
metaphor succeed? Why or why not?

The speaker compares a flower in the desert to the dead in the graveyard. Answers to part
two may vary. Example: The metaphor succeeds because both the flower and the men
represent life and beauty in an otherwise desolate landscape.

9. Living a simple life has its drawbacks, but doing so also has its positive side. According to
lines 65-68, what positive side of living a simple life is pointed out?

The simple life allows for one to remain untainted by the turmoil and troubles associated
with the ruling classes. Simpletons also benefit from the advantage of being able to keep to
their own ways.

10. What made the lives to which the speaker refers in lines 73-74 special?

The lives referred to by the speaker are special because they remained true to their
intentions and they “kept the noiseless tenor of their way.”

11. In line 80, what causes the speaker to sigh?

Answers may vary. Example: The speaker sighs out of respect and tribute to those who
maintained their strength and courage through life and death. It is a sigh of awe.

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