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poetry > death of a naturalist > Flashcards

death of a naturalist Flashcards

1
Q

who is this poem written by?

A

seamus heaney

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2
Q

where is Seamus Heaney from?

A

Ireland

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3
Q

what upbringing does he have?

A

Roman Catholic

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4
Q

what community did Heaney come from?

A

a farming community- his work is heavily based on observations of the natural world

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5
Q

what does the first stanza show?

A

the wonder of nature- “best of all”, “and wait and watch”

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6
Q

how many stanzas does this poem have?

A

2 stanzas

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7
Q

in the first stanza how is foreshadowing used?

A

some negative language is used- foreshadows the change at the end of the stanza and the whole second stanza

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8
Q

what is the memory in the opening stanza?

A

the memory of collecting frog spawn as a child

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9
Q

what does the title mean?

A

naturalist- someone who studies the natural world and they are interested in exploring the environment
death of a naturalist- the naturalist is not interested in nature anymore due to understanding the darker side of nature

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10
Q

why is enjambment used in the poem?

A

to show the child’s enthusiasm and excitement about the frogs and nature

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11
Q

what person is the poem written in?

A

1st person

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12
Q

what is blank verse?

A

no rhyme

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13
Q

why is blank verse used?

A

makes it sound conversational and personal

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14
Q

what is the significance of the iambic pentameter not always being secure?

A

sometimes it runs over- spills into 11 syllables- reflecting on the abundance and richness of nature and also the unpredictable nature of change

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15
Q

what does the second stanza show?

A

the adult perspective of the danger and darkness of the natural world- the side of nature that was hidden and shielded by innocence when he was a child

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16
Q

why is contrast used in this poem?

A

to reveal the troubled relationship that develops with nature

17
Q

what is synaesthesia?

A

combining all the senses at once

18
Q

why is synaesthesia used?

A

the abundance of sensory imagery highlights the richness and abundance of nature- the vast variety of nature

19
Q

what religion was Heaney exposed to growing up?

A

Roman Catholic- links to sexual maturity- the initial naive description of the “mammy” and “daddy” frogs- contrasts with the grotesque imagery layer on- reflective of the church’s attitudes to sex and reproduction

20
Q

how are the frogs described in the second stanza?

A

“obscene threats”
“mud grenades”
“great slime kings were gathered there for vengeance”

21
Q

when is military imagery and personification used in the poem?

A

in the second stanza

22
Q

what is there a shift in between the first and second stanza?

A

a shift in tone- a volta

23
Q

what does the volta show in the poem?

A

shows a fractured relationship with nature- nature is unfamiliar and threatening

24
Q

how is foreshadowing shown in the first stanza?

A

“festered”
“rotted”
“sweltered”
“punishing sun”
“gargled”

25
Q

how is the first stanza laced with childhood innocence?

A

he is not scared by the flax- dam- even tho it festers and swelters, it captivates the child

26
Q

what does the juxtaposition of the “gargled delicately” do?

A

makes it seem like it is a chemistry experiment- does not scare the child- it is fascinating to him
“the clotted water”- seems like vampires and blood- all interesting and thrill-seeking to a child

27
Q

how is the child’s excitement conveyed?

A

by the superlative phrase- “but best of all was the warm thick slobber of frogspawn”

28
Q

what type of dialogue is used in the first stanza?

A

childish vernacular

29
Q

how does this poem link to Heaney’s Irish background??

A

the word “mammy”

30
Q

how does Heaney make the first stanza encapture a hot summer’s day on the farm?

A

uses alliteration and assonance so that the language almost feels heavy and sticky

31
Q

how does the second stanza start with?

A

a harsh monosyllabic line

32
Q

what is the effect of the hyperbole of “the great slime kings”?

A

it could sound humorous but then in the next like it says the word “vengeance” which shows how terrified the child is

poetry (16 decks)

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