Form and Structure

• First person narrative – creates a sense that it is a personal poem.
• The extract can be split into three sections, each with a different tone to reflect his shifting mood: Lines 1-20: (rowing) carefree and confident Lines 21-31: (the mountain appears) dark and fearful. Lines 32-44: (following days) reflective and troubled
• Contrasts in tone: ‘lustily I dipped my oars into the silent lake’ versus ‘I struck and struck again’ and ‘with trembling oars I turned’.
• The regular rhythm and enjambment add to the effect of natural speech and a personal voice.