An Easy Passage

Question 1

The poem begins with the time marker “___”, indicating that the long, single stanza encompasses a singular moment of observation. (An Easy Passage)

Answer 1

“Once”

Question 2

The speaker watches two girls, one “___” which immediately indicates her innocence, as she remains unaware of her premature sexualisation contrasting her childhood naivety. (An Easy Passage)

Answer 2

“crouched in her bikini”

Question 3

Her sexualisation is later revisited in the mention of her “___” which “___”. (An Easy Passage)

Answer 3

“tiny breasts” which “rest lightly on her thighs”

Question 4

She is on the “___”, “___”, suggesting nervous anticipation for her passage into the house through the window, which may symbolise her transition into womanhood. (An Easy Passage)

Answer 4

“porch roof”, “trembling”

Question 5

Copus uses the “___” of the house as an extended metaphor for maturing throughout her poem, using the window as the threshold between girl and woman. (An Easy Passage)

Answer 5

“narrow windowsill”

Question 6

The “___” illustrates the perception of the girl that her transition into adulthood is something to be feared, emphasised by the use of ___. (An Easy Passage)

Answer 6

“sharp drop of the stairwell;”, use of caesura “;”

Question 7

Her perspective is reinforced to be naive through the innocence of her relationship with the friend “___”, suggesting her understanding of complex relationships and romantic attractions are not fully formed, therefore her fears for adulthood are unfounded. (An Easy Passage)

Answer 7

“whom she is half in love”