5. Explanation of stanza 3 from the poem "The Shed"

Explanation:

 

The third stanza of the poem introduces a new character: the speaker's brother. The poet's brother had told the speaker that there is a ghost inside the shed. The ghost is not visible to everyone's eyes as it is hidden under the floor. Also, the brother had warned the speaker that the ghost would jump out of its hiding place and pounce on him the moment he steps inside. Additionally, the brother said that the ghost would chop his head off if it sees him entering the shed.

 

The very idea of a ghost would probably have thrown the seed of fear in the speaker. Also, the shed’s appearance (the old, mysterious, and dusty look) would have built the same.

Again, the stanza ends with a modified refrain. The speaker is evidently scared of setting his foot inside the shed, so he says that would take a peep someday. Neither is he going to open the doors and nor is he going to look secretly through the windows. On the other hand, he will take a quick look, and more likely from a safe distance. Though the speaker is afraid, he also has the desire to see and explore the shed.