Death of a fellaist Flashcards
learn this by monday lmaoo (yur cooked) (25 cards)
where does this poem take place vro
north ireland
What is the main theme of ‘Death of a Naturalist’ by Seamus Heaney?
The loss of childhood innocence and wonder
The poem explores the transformation of a young boy’s fascination with nature into disillusionment.
What literary devices are used in ‘Death of a Naturalist’?
- Alliteration
- Sibilance
- Onomatopoeia
- Personification
- Imagery
- Symbolism
How is the poem structured?
- Free verse
- Two stanzas of unequal length
What happens in the first stanza of the poem?
The speaker describes collecting frogspawn and the sounds and smells of the pond
The stanza ends with the teacher explaining frog reproduction.
What is the tone in the second stanza of ‘Death of a Naturalist’?
The tone shifts to one of fear and disillusionment
The frogs, once objects of wonder, now appear threatening.
What does the phrase ‘angry frogs invaded the flax-dam’ suggest?
A shift in perception from fascination to fear
This indicates the loss of innocence as the speaker views the frogs as threats.
Fill in the blank: The use of _______ in the poem recreates the sounds of the flax-dam.
[Onomatopoeia]
What is the significance of the word ‘slobber’ in the poem?
It foreshadows the speaker’s change in perception of nature
The term hints at the less appealing aspects of nature.
What does enjambment reflect in ‘Death of a Naturalist’?
The child’s stream of consciousness and the movement of nature.
What are the key themes explored in ‘Death of a Naturalist’?
- Innocence and youth
- Nature
- Passage of time
- Memory and reflection
How does Heaney’s use of colloquial language contribute to the poem?
It adds authenticity and realism to the speaker’s childhood experiences.
What is the historical context of Seamus Heaney’s work?
Heaney’s poetry reflects his experiences growing up in rural Ireland and explores themes of death, loss, and memory.
True or False: ‘Death of a Naturalist’ and ‘A Wife in London’ both explore the theme of loss.
True
What is the difference in how Heaney and Hardy present loss?
Heaney focuses on the loss of childhood innocence, while Hardy examines personal loss due to war.
What type of imagery is used to explore the theme of loss in both poems?
- Nature imagery
- Urban imagery
Fill in the blank: The poem is written in _______ reflecting the unstructured nature of childhood.
[Free verse]
What is the effect of the final line of the poem?
It has an elegiac quality, marking a sense of loss.
What does the phrase ‘the great slime kings’ imply?
A change in the speaker’s perception of frogs from innocent fascination to fear.
How does the structure of ‘Death of a Naturalist’ reflect the speaker’s transformation?
The two distinct parts mark the transition from childhood innocence to a more mature understanding.
What is the function of caesura in the poem?
To heighten key moments and emphasize the speaker’s changing feelings.
What does the imagery of ‘jellied specks’ convey?
The speaker’s childhood curiosity and fascination with frogspawn.
