nettles

Question 1

brief summary

Answer 1

the speakers son falls into a nettle bed. seeking revenge the speaker destroys the nettle bed but naturally it grows back exposing the parents futile efforts. the poem reflects how parents protect their children through life

Question 2

context

Answer 2

scannell served in the army so he would be familiar with the horrors of the words and he would want to protect his children from it

Question 3

analyse

“my son aged three fell in the nettle bed”

Answer 3

draws attention to how fragile and vulnerable the child is

Question 4

analyse

“it was no place for rest. with sobs and tears”

Answer 4

the speaker sees the world as a constant threat so they have no time for “rest”

Question 5

analyse

“we soothed him till his pain was not so raw”

Answer 5

shows the affection between a child and their parent

Question 6

analyse

“my son would often feel the sharp wounds again”

Answer 6

speaker admits he is unable to protect his son from the struggles of life

Question 7

structure

Answer 7

there are two narratives that run through the poem the obvious one being a a parent comforting their child. the more subtle narrative tackles with the themes of death war and pain