Winter swans 𦢠Flashcards
1
Q
What can you tell me about the rhyme of Winter swans?
A
- The poem uses free verse + does this perhaps symbolise that the couple were beginning to distance themselves [with their relationship reaching something thatâs difficult to overcome- a lack of communication-] ?
- I= Alternatively, Sheersâ decision of writing his poem in free verse might also suggest that if people are going to decide to stay together, their decisiom should be done freely, without obligation.
2
Q
What can you tell me about the structure of stanza 3?
A
- stanza 3 has a Volta, as it begins with the word âuntilâ- this shows a change in their relationship; the Volta is the point at which the two witness the swans.
3
Q
What is the effect of enjambement between the two final stanzas?
A
- Between the two final stanzas, there is enjambement which structurally reflects their renewed connection after being emotionally separate.
- I= ; the enjambement could also link to the symbolism of swans- they are devoted to each other, as they mate for life. Sheers use of this enjambement, reinforces the idea of something that it built to last/stay.
4
Q
What can you tell me about the caesura in stanzas 2 and 5?
A
- The two most notable use of caesura [in stanza 2: â, silent and apartâ and stanza 5: âstilling water.â ] appears during a moment of silence which add tension to the relationship; this climax in stanza 6: âI noticed our handsâ.
- I= Alternatively, the use of this caesura might also reflect the break in the couplesâ relationship
- R= which forces the reader to pause, as the caesura reflects the struggles/promblems that are in the twoâs relationship.
5
Q
Whatâs the symbolism of swans?
A
- Swans are connected with water + water symbolically represents dreaming.
- its believed that when swans appear in oneâs life, they point our dreamier depths to our feelings that are not yet explored-
- [something that is beyond the surface, which we dream or desire to have]- in stanzas 3, there is a volta âuntilâ when the couple see the swans, does this perhaps tap in their desire to make this relationship last?
6
Q
Whatâs the symbolism of swans?
Hint: đŚ
A
- Moreover, swans also symbolise transform + the protection of what we love- their relationship transform, but the couple protect what they have.
- This idea of transformation links to the theme of dreams, as the theme of transformation is also seen in the tale of the ugly duckling (by Hans Christian). A fairytale where a duckling was misconceived; the duckling lived his life with a swan.
- Furthermore, after the ducking grew under the good-natured humans, the duckling is free + sees that it has transformed into a beautiful swan, after seeing its reflection in water.
- Ultimately, this fairytale reminds us to have faith- to have faith of what we love + in each other- likewise couple love each other and their relationship can last.
6
Q
Whatâs the symbolism of swans?
Hint: đŚ
A
- Moreover, swans also symbolise transform + the protection of what we love- their relationship transform, but the couple protect what they have.
- This idea of transformation links to the theme of dreams tale of the ugly duckling (by Hans Christian)
7
Q
What can you tell me about the title of âWinter Swans?â
A
- the title âwinter swansâ creates an atmosphere of coldness; it also shows us an image of swans- does this title refer to the two as the âwinter swansâ?
- In this poem, the swans are symbol of a relationship that is linked back to the symbolism of swans, therefore foreshadowing that the couple will restore their relationships.
- As the swans are the cataylsts, for the couple to be regenerated since winter is the ancestor to spring where hope is renewed; winter is the season where life is dormant but must hapen for spring to come, so on a metaphorical level, is this the regeneration of the couple?
8
Q
âThe clouds have given their allâ
A
- L= use of personification, coupled with pathetic fallacy of the weather to describe the clouds- sets an image of a battle + clouds who have finally lost- theyâve given everything; they havenât triumphed yet- maybe this reflects how their couple are on the verge of giving up on their relationship.
- I= perhaps the use of pathetic fallacy also reflects the couplesâ emotions as well
- I= Alternatively, the use of personification of the clouds could also suggest thereâs exterior forces at play, with motives that are negatively harming/affecting the coupleâs relationship- perhaps this exterior force is God and the natural world who are against the speaker + maybe their relationship?
9
Q
âthe waterlogged earthâ âgulping for breathâ
A
- L= personification of the earth, coupled with the use of imagery takes on a tone of struggle- the struggle of the relationship is metaphorically reflected/shown in this image of the drowned + waterlogged earth.
- This also reflects the mood of the couples relationship as it implies the relationship is stifling them.
- This takes on the theme that maybe all relationships are difficult, but true love will succeed as the earth is also beginning to struggle, likewise with the couple.
- C= This is contextually important because. It reflects Sheersâ message about love and relationships: in modern society were divorce is high, itâs worth working at relationships + not giving up [because true love will succeed.]
10
Q
âicebergs of white featherâ
Hint: âŹď¸
A
- L= a metaphor describes the swans because they are white + shaped like icebergs when tipped in water.
- D= On a deeper level, with icebergs there is more beneath the surface- implying there is more beneath the surface, than in visible in the couples relationship
- which further implies, their relationship has a hidden + emotional depth that the couple needs to explore. There are hidden layers to this relationship .
- icebergs are also linked to the title of the poem âwinter swansâ- something that is cold, in this fourth stanzas, it appears that the world is literally upside down; it rights itself. [are the couples world upside down aswell?]
10
Q
âicebergs of white featherâ
A
- L= a metaphor describes the swans because they are white + shaped like icebergs when tipped in water.
- D= On a deeper level, with icebergs there is more beneath the surface- implying there is more beneath the surface, than in visible in the couples relationship
- which further implies, their relationship has a hidden + emotional depth that the couple needs to explore. There are hidden layers to this relationship .
- icebergs are also linked to the title of the poem âwinter swansâ- something that is cold, in this fourth stanzas, it appears that the world is literally upside down; it rights itself. [are the couples world upside down aswell?]
11
Q
âporcelain over the stilling water.â
A
- L= adjective- âstillingâ- implies the emotional storm has passes + the mood bewteen the two are calmer.
- L= metaphor- this metaphor is used to describe the swans, as porcelain is vulnerable + is easy to be broken, implying their relationship is fragile, yet it can still be mended.
- I= perhaps, they are on the of breaking + therefore this is the couples most fragile moment.
12
Q
On a deeper level, what else can we say about the quote âporcelain over the stilling waterâ ?
A
- D= On a deeper level, working with porcelain takes patience as well as skill. Similarly, the same can be said for relationships as you have to take time with them and work with them.
- Furthermore, with porcelain, the smallest drop of water can change the texture of it unlike clay. If someone works with clay, you are able to manage being rough with it; the same cannot be said with porcelain.
- But if itâs maid correctly, clay is never as strong as porcelain. So symbolically, if relationships are nurtured/nourished correctly, they will withstand any problems. Does this reflect that their state of delicacy actually holds strength?
13
Q
âslow-steppingâ⌠âshingle and sandâ
A
- L= use of sibilance replicates the slime of movement through shingle; it also unites the couple + slows the pace of the the poem because there is an emphasis being placed that the two are physically together.
- Additionally, sand and shingle are hard to walk on, so does this reflect how difficult it is to walk through conflict + how both people have to put an extreme amount of effort, to fix the situation?
