First, READ the poem and ANNOTATE it thoroughly.
Remember the big 5 -- start with your PURPOSE: what is the poet trying to convey?
Note various types of imagery, repetition, types of punctuation, and other stylistic and literary features and HOW they convey the poet's meaning.
Close analysis
1. Read the poem aloud to yourself. Does it have a clear RHYTHM and RHYME? How do the rhythm and rhyme relate to the message(s) of the poem?
2. What is the TONE of the poem? What words help to create this tone?
3. To whom is the poem addressed, do you think?
4. What IMAGERY does Brooke use? What is the reader encouraged to visualize? What effect do these have?
5. How does Brooke feel about England? How does he describe the country and for what effect (consider phrases, words, and what devices are used)?
6. What does he mean by ‘a richer dust’?
7. What ideas does Brooke express about death?
8. Note the PUNCTUATION - enjambment, end-stopping, and caesura. Pick 1 use of one of these types of punctuation and explain WHY the poet has used this, and HOW it helps convey his message.