Little Boy Found (experience)

Question 1

Give an overview

Answer 1

• The little boy is rescued by God from the confusions and danger symbolised by the will-o-the wisp
• He is returned safely to his weeping mother

Question 2

Define Fen

Answer 2

• A low and marshy or frequently flooded area of land.

Question 3

Define dale

Answer 3

Valley

Question 3

Symbolic interpretation of the poem

Answer 3

• Theological considerations on the nature and characteristics of God
• Representation of innocence, naiviety and fear
• Idea of being rescued from sin and experience

Question 4

Describe the structure of the poem

Answer 4

• 2 quatrains
• ABCB/ DEFE
• Internal rhyme
• trochaic tetrameter

Question 5

“The little boy lost in the lonely fen”

Answer 5

-“The little boy lost” impersonal determiner= could be applicable to any instance of innocence
- “Little boy” adj Vulnerability
- “Lost” adj physical displacement, abandonment, existentialist questioning diconnected from purpose, meaning or belonging.
- “Lonley fen” psychological landscape

Question 6

“Led by the wandering light”

Answer 6

• Either could be the deceptive vapour misguiding the boy into sin or the growing presence of God
• “Light” juxaposes the “vapour”
• “Light” is much more substantial, meaningful. Biblical allusion as it symbolises god throughout scripture.
• “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it”

Question 7

“Began to cry, but God, never nigh”

Answer 7

• Fragmented syntax
• Signals the presence of God that meaningfully disrupts the narrative of the poem and leads the poem to resolution.
• Proxitmity between “cry” and “God” reflects proximity of God in moments of crisis

Question 8

“Appeared like his father, in white.”

Answer 8

• Similie: The divine when it appears does so in the form of others.
• Failure of the natural father.
  -Reference to the Holy Trinity “Father God” representing the limitations of Father Church
• Subversive representation of God, not apperearing before a prophet but a helpless boy (Nobodaddy)
• “White” white garments are promised to thoes who overcome symbolising their rhiteousness before God/ victory over sin

Question 9

“He kissed the child and by the hand led/ And to his mother brought”

Answer 9

• Reference to the “Holy Kiss” mentioned 5 times in the New Testemant.
• “Greet one another with a holy kiss”Cultivating love and intimacy is holy
• “Mother” dichotomous could be a representation of Father God and perhaps Mother nature. Which perhaps suggest the communion and connection that spirituality has with nature and perhaps that spirituality is incomplete without a meaningful connection with nature. The boy is essentially saved by nature, God and intimacy.

Question 10

“Who is sorrow pale, through the lonely dale/ Her little boy weeping sought.”

Answer 10

• How ones fears can shape their perceptions
• “Dale” Valley/ death/journery and discovery
• Alternativley, represents the limiations of the earthly parent
• “Weeping” could represent a transformation; this could be happy tears as the boy is finally safe and is offered protection and guidance. There has been a little emotional “death” that has now been healed by this reunion.