Close Analysis: Winter Poems
Directions: Please answer the following analysis questions about “The Snow Man” and
“Desert Places” in your composition books.
The Snow Man:
1. Positive Portrayal of Winter: Find words or phrases from the poem that depict
winter in a positive light. Analyze your quote by considering the following
questions: what do these words suggest about winter? What connotations / other
associations do we make with these words?
2. Negative Portrayal of Winter: Find words or phrases from the poem that depict
winter in a negative light. Analyze your quote by considering the following
questions: what do these words suggest about winter? What connotations / other
associations do we make with these words?
3. Final Stanza: Look at the final stanza of the poem and pay specific attention to
the repetition of the word “nothing.” What do you think this stanza mean? What
do you think the final line of the poem means?
4. Overall Depiction: In general, does this seem to be a positive or a negative
depiction of winter? Explain your reasoning.
Desert Places:
5. Positive Portrayal of Winter: Find words or phrases from the poem that depict
winter in a positive light. Analyze your quote by considering the following
questions: what do these words suggest about winter? What connotations / other
associations do we make with these words?
6. Negative Portrayal of Winter: Find words or phrases from the poem that depict
winter in a negative light. Analyze your quote by considering the following
questions: what do these words suggest about winter? What connotations / other
associations do we make with these words?
7. Repetition: Pick out words that are repeated in the poem. What seems to be the
significance of these repeated words?
8. Overall Depiction: In general, does this seem to be a positive or a negative
depiction of winter? Explain your reasoning.
Overview:
9. Compare and Contrast: Describe the similarities and differences between the
poems.
10. Ethan Frome: Compare and contrast the description of winter in the poems with
the portrayal of winter in Ethan Frome.