How does the structure of the poem contribute to its meaning? The long second stanza reveals the inner thoughts of the girls, while the short first and
third stanzas convey how others perceive them.
Each stanza develops a contrast between a city filled with life and the girls who are
quietly sitting and absorbing the surrounding energy.
The sense of peace established in the first stanza builds to a feeling of frenzy in the
second stanza as reflected in the actions of the girls.
O
The descriptions in all three stanzas reveal a chaotic community that overwhelms the
girls into retreating to the church.