A wife in London - About

Question 1

what is the poem about

Answer 1

a wife receives a telegram that her husband has been killed in war, however the next day she receives another letter from him about what is going to happen when he arrives home

Question 2

what is the form of the poem

Answer 2

irregular rhythm and dashes make the reader focus on the tragedy

Question 3

what is the structure of the poem

Answer 3

divided into 2 parts

Question 4

what imagery is used

Answer 4

visual image of the fog shows the wife’s sorrow
images are presented as lacking warmth

Question 5

how is irony used

Answer 5

irony is created in the final stanza as the husband talks about his hopes and dreams for when he returns home but he will never get to

Question 6

what feelings and attitudes are shown throughout the poem

Answer 6

loss and hope

Question 7

how is loss used

Answer 7

the wife’s grief is anticipated however it becomes more poignant and the poet uses the husband’s death to show the futility of war

Question 8

how is hope used

Answer 8

there is youthful optimism and excitement in the husband’s letter