~The River is about the gentle and harsh facets of the river. The poem clearly clearly describes about the features, functions and destructive power of the river.
~ The poet gives the river human characteristics. Some of these characterisitics include being a wanderer, a nomad, a tramp, a hoarder, a baby, a singer and finally a monster that will 'swallow you next'.
~ The poem contains a variety of verbs to indicate how the river moves. The river is said to be a winder and thus twists and turns. In addition, it also gurgles and hurms like a baby. Interestingly, it also sings, dances, gobbles and swallows.
~The poem has been clearly and systematically written because each stanza describes one feature and function of the river as it meanders downstream.
~In the first stanza, the river is constantly moving and 'doesn't choose one place'. In fact, it is likened to be 'a wanderer, a nomad, a tramp'.
~In the following stanza, the river flows downstream and travels 'Through valley and hill'. In the process it becomes 'a hoarder, And he buries down deep those little treasures'.~ In Stanzas 4 and 5, the river becomes gentle as it is described as both a baby and singer where 'he gurgles and hums' and 'dances along'.
~ In the final stanza, the destructive side of the river is portrayed as it can become 'a monster, hungry and vexed' and can easily gobble up trees as well as human beings.
