half-past two

Question 1

Half-past two big ideas

Answer 1

time is relative, as a child we only have time for events. time on a clock is just a concept. We have freedom in being unaware of time
life is experienced differently as a child
the control exerted by adults over children is explored - teacher is gently being mocked
fanhorpe has fun with language, creating compound words to represent the child’s lack of understanding

Question 2

half-past two structure

Answer 2

three line stanzas
the story of the child develops chronologically across stanzas 2,7,8,9,10, narrative leads us through the punishment for something so trivial it has been forgotten by the author
stanzas 1,3,4,5,6 give exposition about the boy
stanza 11 reflects on the experience, about being free from time

Question 3

half past two form

Answer 3

open form, only 1 rhyme but not irregular enough to be free verse.
its narrative in that it tells the story of the boy’s detention
a philosophical poem calling into question of the concept of time
childhood poem - a phenomenon only experience in childhood
a humorous poem mocking the teacher and the child’s naivety