english reflection essay

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

My poem, “The City Drones,” was influenced by the Modernist literary movement, particularly its focus on alienation and disconnection in an urban setting. I chose to emulate Modernism because it captures feelings of isolation and uncertainty in a rapidly changing world. Modernist poets such as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound often explore the idea of individuals feeling lost in society, which I wanted to reflect in my poem. Their use of fragmented imagery, free verse, and themes of urban disconnection influenced the way I crafted my own depiction of city life. To achieve this, I incorporated stylistic features such as fragmented imagery, enjambment, and contrast to emphasize the disorienting and impersonal nature of the city.

Question 2

Body Paragraph 1

Answer 2

One of the main ideas in my poem is the overwhelming sense of anonymity and loss of identity in a big city. Modernist poets like T.S. Eliot often describe cities as cold and impersonal, which inspired my description of the crowd as an all-consuming force. In my poem, I write, “the city drones, a pulse that swallows all,” to show how the city feels mechanical and unfeeling. The word “drones” suggests a monotonous, never-ending hum, emphasizing how the city functions like a machine rather than a home. Comparing the city to a “pulse” further reinforces this idea, as it suggests an unstoppable, lifeless rhythm that people are forced to follow, making them feel insignificant. Similarly, the line “a million steps, but none seem to touch the ground” conveys a sense of disconnection, as if the people in the city are moving without purpose or presence. This highlights how the city’s overwhelming nature strips people of individuality, echoing Modernist concerns about urban life.

Question 3

Body Paragraph 2

Answer 3

I also used fragmented imagery and contrasts to reflect the chaotic and isolating experience of urban life, similar to T.S. Eliot’s poetry. The line “above me, the sky is concealed by steel, / beneath, the pavement cracks – yet none can feel” presents a stark contrast between the towering buildings and the broken pavement. The “sky concealed by steel” suggests that nature is completely blocked out, symbolizing how the city’s artificial structures overpower any sense of freedom. Meanwhile, “the pavement cracks – yet none can feel” highlights emotional numbness; even though the city is physically breaking down, its people remain indifferent, further reinforcing the theme of detachment. The final lines, “the crowd moves on, and still I wander lost, / an empty echo of what was once home,” reinforce the speaker’s sense of isolation. The phrase “empty echo” suggests that whatever once made the city feel like home has vanished, leaving behind only a hollow, meaningless version of what used to be. This reflects a key Modernist idea - the search for meaning in an overwhelming world where connection seems impossible.

Question 4

Conclusion

Answer 4

Overall, my poem explores the feeling of being lost in a city that never stops moving, emphasising the emotional distance between people. By using Modernist techniques such as fragmented imagery, contrasts, and enjambment, I aimed to create a poem that conveys the disorienting nature of city life. In “The City Drones”, the rapid growth of urbanisation and its dehumanising effects reveal the alienation that comes with losing our connection to one another and ourselves.

Question 5

Main points to be made in intro

Answer 5

• Influenced by Modernist movement and T.S Eliot and Ezra Pound
• Fragmented imagery, free verse, themes of urban disconnection
• Enjambent and contrast
• Captures feelings of isolation and uncertainty in a rapidly changing world

Question 6

Main points to be made in body paragraph 2

Answer 6

• Overwhelming sense of anonymity and loss of identity in big city
• T.S Eliot describes cities as cold and impersonal
• “the city drones…” drones suggests a monotonous hum emphasising how the city functions like a machine rather than a home
• “pulse” reinforces that idea as it suggests a lifeless rhythm people are forced to follow making them feel insignificant
• ” a million steps but none seem to touch the ground” conveys a sense of disconnection as if people are moving without a purpose or presence
• city strips people of individuality

Question 7

main point in body paragraph 2

Answer 7

• Fragmented imagery
• Similar to T.S Eliot
• “above me the sky is concealed by steel” suggests nature is completely blocked out
• “the pavement cracks - yet none can feel” highlights emotional numbness even though the city is breaking down but its people remain indifferent
• “empty echo” suggests that whatever once made the city feel like home has vanished leaving behind a hollow meaningless version of what it used to be
• lack of connection

Question 8

main points in conclusion

Answer 8

• explores the feeling of being lost in a city that never stops moving, emphasising the emotional distance between people
• modernist techniques eg. fragmented imagery, contrasts, and enjambment
• rapid growth of urbanisation and its dehumanising effects reveal the alienation that comes with losing our connection to oneself and another