The poem describes a Sunday afternoon in July in Nebraska and this is mentioned in the third stanza of the poem all the other descriptive language in the poem is used to explain this setting.
The very first paragraph is a compound complex sentence. The purpose of this is to slow the pace of the poem. In the first line the gravel road rides, the road is being personified, further description of telephone lines is given to create the image of a long monotones. A visual image below of dust and redwing blackbirds exposes the reader to another visual image that of contrasting red birds and brown dust. These colors have been used in the visual image to create a more vivid picture in the reader’s mind of Nebraska. Also the gravel road rides here consonance has been used to impart a sing like quality to the poem. In this stanza kinesthetic has also been used so that the reader can understand that some kind of movement is being discussed. In the second stanza of the poem, which is also, a compound complex sentence extended metaphor has been made to the old ladies where they have been compared to loosening barns. Here the emphasis on loosening suggests to the reader that they are not in a good condition, probably because of neglect. Their eyes have been further compared to little windows, which are dulled by cataracts of hay and cobwebs. Here the word cataract suggests disease and the word cobweb creates a visual image of abandonment or neglect. Further the metaphor the broken tractors has been used for their legs to further emphasis their old age and weakness. In the first line the word The epithet “dear” makes the reader sympathize with the old ladies. The entire description of the old ladies contributes to the setting and atmosphere of the poem
The third stanza