A Red, Red Rose | Exercise With Summary | Grade 11 | English
0In "A Red, Red Rose," Robert Burns uses vivid imagery and rich language to express his passionate love for his beloved. Here's a summary:
The poem begins with the speaker proclaiming that his love for his beloved is as beautiful and enduring as a "red, red rose." Red is used to symbolize the depth and intensity of his feelings.
He compares his love to other beautiful things in nature, such as "the melodie" (song) of the lark, "the dew that lies" (on) the gowan (daisy), and "the heather" (a purple-flowered plant) that blooms on the hill.
The speaker emphasizes the permanence of his love by comparing it to "the sun" that shines in the sky and "the moon and stars" that shine at night. These celestial bodies are depicted as enduring and unchanging, mirroring the unchanging nature of his love.
He underscores the strength of his love by stating that "the seas may ebb and flow," but his love will never falter. The ebb and flow of the seas represent the changing tides of life, but the speaker's love remains constant and unwavering.
What is the tone of the poem?
The tone of the poem is predominantly one of passion, intensity, and unwavering devotion. The speaker's use of vivid imagery and strong language conveys the depth of his love and his unwavering commitment to it.
What does the speaker compare his love to?
The speaker compares his love to various beautiful and enduring things in nature, such as a red rose, the melodie of the lark, the dew on the gowan, the heather on the hill, the sun in the sky, and the moon and stars at night.
What does the speaker say about the permanence of his love?
The speaker emphasizes the permanence of his love by comparing it to the sun, the moon, and the stars, which are celestial bodies that are perceived as enduring and unchanging.
What does the speaker say about the strength of his love?
The speaker underscores the strength of his love by stating that it will never falter, even if the seas were to ebb and flow. This metaphor suggests that his love is unwavering and resilient, capable of withstanding life's challenges.