Typically, they often have a gloomy and dark mood. For example, in 'The Raven', the setting is a lonely chamber at midnight, which sets a spooky tone. Another characteristic is the use of disturbing imagery. Like in 'The Conqueror Worm', the image of the worm devouring the mimes is very disquieting. They may also involve themes of death, madness, and the supernatural.
One of the main characteristics is the ability to evoke fear in the reader. They do this by presenting situations that are out of the ordinary or against nature. In 'Goblin Market', the goblin men and their fruits are not normal, and it creates a sense of danger. Also, there is often a sense of isolation in these poems. The narrator in 'Lenore' seems alone in his grief and his encounter with the supernatural. And there's a tendency to play with the boundaries between life and death, reality and the dream world, which is very evident in Poe's works about horror.
They often have a strong emotional core. For example, they can be filled with love, like in a poem about a mother's love for her children. They also tend to be relatable as most people have family experiences. And they usually show the relationships between family members, whether it's the closeness or the conflicts.
They often have a gloomy or dark setting. For example, like in 'The Raven', the setting is a dreary chamber at midnight, which immediately sets a spooky mood. Another characteristic is the use of the supernatural. Poems might include ghosts, demons, or other otherworldly elements like in 'Annabel Lee' where the idea of love beyond the grave has a supernatural tinge. They also usually have a sense of unease or foreboding. The reader should feel a bit on edge while reading the poem.
Another characteristic is the use of dialogue or monologue. In some narrative poems, characters speak directly. Take 'My Last Duchess' by Robert Browning. The duke's monologue reveals a lot about his character and the story of his relationship with his late duchess.
They often have heroic figures. For example, in 'The Odyssey', Odysseus is a hero with extraordinary intelligence and courage. His journey back home is filled with larger - than - life challenges like facing the Cyclops. Another characteristic is the use of grand language. Poets use rich vocabulary and complex sentence structures to convey the magnitude of the story.
Poems that tell stories often have a clear narrative arc. They start with a situation or character, something happens in the middle like a conflict or change, and then there's usually a resolution at the end. For example, in 'The Highwayman', we start with the introduction of the highwayman and Bess, then there's the conflict when the soldiers come, and finally the tragic resolution. Another characteristic is vivid imagery. In 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', Coleridge uses amazing imagery to describe the sea, the albatross, and the strange events on the ship. Also, these poems may use dialogue. In 'Paul Revere's Ride', Longfellow uses dialogue to make the story more engaging.
Many poems about the Christmas story often have a sense of wonder and joy. They might describe the star that led the wise men in the story of Jesus' birth, for example. The language is usually quite vivid to create a magical atmosphere.
Victorian Christmas poems and stories often had a strong sense of morality. For example, in 'A Christmas Carol', Scrooge's journey is a moral lesson. They also tended to be quite sentimental. Victorian poets and writers liked to evoke emotions like nostalgia and warmth during Christmas. Christmas was seen as a time for family and togetherness, and this was reflected in their works.
They often involve themes of love. For example, in many Christmas stories, family members show their love for each other during the holiday season. In poems, it might be expressed as love for the Christmas traditions.
Good love poems often use vivid imagery. For example, they might compare a lover to a flower or a star. They also have strong emotions. In a love story, the characters are well - developed. You can understand their motives and feelings. Like in 'Gone with the Wind', Scarlett's love for Ashley and Rhett is complex and makes the story engaging.
Christmas poems and short stories often have a strong sense of the holiday spirit. They usually feature elements like snow, Christmas trees, and Santa Claus. For example, in many poems, the description of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree adds to the festive mood.