Basking shark Flashcards
What are the main theme(s) in basking shark?
Ignorance of mankind
What happens in the first stanza in Basking shark?
The poet describes setting of rain on the sea and that he comes across a basking shark. His initial impression is that it is a monster
What happens in the rest of the poem (2-5) in basking shark?
As the poem progresses the poets view on the basking shark from a monster to an intelligent being that isn’t to far related if you believe in evolution. The poet relises that maybe humanity is the monster and we should look after the environment.
Name quotes that link to the theme of Basking shark.
“A rock” suggests a inanimate, stupid object which is how the poet first perceives the shark
“Room-sized monster with a matchbox brain” metaphor which contrasts something large with a small brain just as the shark is seen by the poet initially
“Shook the wrong branch of his family tree” métaphore the poet relises that the shark and him/ humanity shares a common ancestor if you believe in evolution.
“So who’s the monster?” Rhetorical question highlights the poets thoughts on the matter and that he has come to the conclusion that basking shark is only monterous because of it’s size and that in a metaphorical sense the poet now thinks that humanity is the monster.
