Death of a naturalist by Seamus Heany

Question 1

Who wrote This poem

Answer 1

Seamus Heaney

Question 2

when was this published

Answer 2

1966

Question 3

where was Heaney from?

Answer 3

North Ireland

Question 4

what did Seamus Heaney usually write about?

Answer 4

childhood
nature
politics

Question 5

what kind of poet was Seamus Heaney?

Answer 5

regional poet
also a traditionalist

Question 6

Themes

Answer 6

nature
death
struggles of his Irish upbringing
the rural life
getting older
strong emotions
love
memory
attitudes to others

Question 7

what person is this poem written in

Answer 7

First person Narrative- reflecting on their childhood

Question 8

what does the blank verse (unrhymed) communicate

Answer 8

makes the poem sound more conversational

Question 9

what does the lack of rhyme highlight

Answer 9

that change is not always predictable

Question 10

how many stanzas does this poem have

Answer 10

2

Question 11

what happens between stanza one and two

Answer 11

volta- change in tone
each stanza has different attitudes

Question 12

summary of stanza one

Answer 12

slight reference to decay
childish enthusiasm
relationship with nature seem secure

Question 13

summary of stanza two

Answer 13

change of tone
relationship with nature becomes troubled
nature is presented as unfamiliar and threatening

Question 14

what does the use of sensory imagery do?

Answer 14

lets the reader become immersed in the poem and focuses their attention on the poem’s setting

Question 15

How does Heaney uses contrast to communicate meaning?

Answer 15

The poem uses contrasts to show how the narrator’s views on nature have changed

Question 16

what is the meaning behind the title?

Answer 16

Death of a naturalist isa juxtaposition in the poem’s title shows that the poem is about life and death

Question 17

what happens to the poets interest in nature?

Answer 17

interest in living creatures comes to an end

Question 18

what language does Heaney use in stanza two?

Answer 18

Military language
military references which creates a threatening atmosphere
innocence of the narrator has been lost they now see nature as dark and potentially harmful.

Question 19

what are two moods and feelings in this poem

Answer 19

fascination and disgust

Question 20

summary

Answer 20

The narrator remembers how they used to love frogspawn from a flax dam
they were enthusiastic about nature and frogspawn
This attitude changes as they grow up they now find them disgusting

Question 21

what does the shift of the narrators attitude to frogspawn show

Answer 21

The shift in the narrators perception of nature highlights the way that people views change as they grow up.