When I was One-and-Twenty Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

  1. Do you think that this poem is supposed to be ironic? Why or why not?
  2. How would you describe the speaker's tone? How does the rhyme scheme underscore the tone of the poem?
  3. Do you think that the speaker is recounting his own experiences or exploring a "universal" experience? What helps you come to this conclusion?
  4. Do you think that the speaker believes that love exists?
  5. Do you buy the wise man's advice? Why or why not?