Poetry Flashcards
(116 cards)
1
Q
What are two main types of form in poetry?
A
Rigid and structured, or less strict.
2
Q
What are examples of strict form?
A
Exposure - a strict ABBAC rhyme scheme, 8 stanzaz, all with 4 long lines one half line. This form reflects the monotonous existence of soldiers in the trenches, no hope of change for the men. The half lines reinforce this, gaps are left which emphasise the lack of action or hope.
War Photogragher - four six line stanzas, all similar length, ABBCDD rhyme scheme. Regularity shows the photograghers work, odered rows like “spools” in his dark room. Regular form echoes the methodical process he goes through. As the photographs put the suffering of war in “black and white”, the poem presents a dangerous and unpredictable work for the war photographer.
3
Q
What are examples of less rigid form?
A
Charge of the light brigade - irregular form reflects the chaos of war. Its made up of 6 unique stanzas. All with different amounts of lines and rhyme schemes.
There’s no regular rhyme schemes, lots of rhyme is there to drive the poem forwards like a galloping cavalry. Rhyming triplets such as ‘reply’ ‘why’ die’ create momentum, stopped by the next line like tha falling of shot horses.
Checking out me history - different stanza forms to seperate the humorous attacks on British culture and historcal figures from serious Carribean ones. British stanzas are all quadtrains, representing the restrictive education of the British.
4
Q
What can onomatopoeia be used for?
A
It mimics the noise of the battlefield.
E.g in ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ - verbs like “thunder’d” and “shatter’d” imitate the chaotic, deafening noise of battle. By replicating the powerful, threatening noise of the battlefield, Tennyson shows how frightening it must have been, emphasising their heroic actions in battle.
5
Q
How is onomatopoeia used in ‘Beyonet Charge’?
A
Verbs ‘smacking’ creates a loud and jarring effect with the harsh ‘Ck’ sound (plosive). Acts as a violent reminder of the dangers soldiers face.
‘Crackling air’ in the final stanza sounds dangerous and emphasises the fact the soldier is fully surrrounded by gun fire.
6
Q
How are repeated sounds used in ‘The Prelude’?
A
Repitition of sibilant sounds ‘struck’, ‘still’, ‘stars’ emphasises the sinester way that the mountain glides after the narrator.
Repition is gentle ‘L’ sounds ‘small”, ‘still’, ‘melted all’ creates consonance. A flowing effect, reflectimg gentle movements of the boat across a lake.
7
Q
What is the importance of Ozymandias being told by a narrator who hasn’t seen the statue?
A
“I met a traveller”, this shows how umimportant ozymandias is now.
8
Q
Where is irony shown in Ozymandis?
A
“Shattered visage lies” - Even a human so powerful cannot control the damaging effects of time, all is conquere by the nature of power.
He tells other rulers to ‘dispear’ because of the size of his works, they should dispear as their power is only temporary. However we clearly see Ozymandias’ power is also very much temporary.
“Of that colossal wreck”
9
Q
How can we see arrogance in ozymandias?
A
‘Sneer of cold command’ - the sculptor understood the arrogance which was shown by the ruler.
“King of kings” - He is arrogant and powerful, even challanging other leaders.
10
Q
What are the three main feelings in Ozymandias?
A
Pride - The ruler was proud of what he had achieved
Arrogance - the ruler truly believed that he was the most powerful in all the land, no one could compete with him.
Power - Human insignificance is great in comparison with the passing of time, art can preserve human power, but that (unlike nature) is also only temporary.
11
Q
What does the Form in Ozymandias show?
A
The volta on line 9 shows how time will pass and humans will lose power and be forgotten, but nature will stay.
It doesn’t follow a regular rhyme scheme, and this could prehaps reflect the way in which human powers and structures can be destroyed. Similarly, it is in iambic pentameter however this is also at times disruppted.
12
Q
How was the language of power shown in Ozymandias?
A
“Survive” and “lifeless” is on the same line, this antithesis shows how human power can survive temporarily but a statue can’t immortalise power.
“Boundless and bare, the lone and level Sands” these two examples of alliteration helps to emphasise the feeling of emptiness around the desert. By describing as boundless we can see how insignificant the statue of this ruler is.
13
Q
What does the structure of Ozymandias show?
A
The narrator builds up an image of the statute by focusing on different parts of it in turn. The poem ends by describing the enormous desert, which helps to sum up the insignificance of the statue
14
Q
How are senses used in the poem ‘London’?
A
First stanza is what he sees, ‘mark in every face I meet’ mark means notice.
The second stanza is about what he hears, ‘infants cry of fear’, ‘I hear’
Last two stanzas combine the visual and aural, ‘youthful harlot’s curse’ - he hears prosititutes swearing, but this could also mean he feels there’s a curse on London.
15
Q
How are contrasts used in ‘London’?
A
“Marriage hearse” - oxymoron links happiness with death, suggests everything has been destroyed.
“Blasts the new-born infant’s tear” - innocence of a new born is lost straight away, society damages its members.
“Youthful harlots” - innocence of the youth contrasted with prosititution.
These show how all is affected by the negatives of London, nothing is pure or innocent.
16
Q
How is language used in London?
A
‘Wander’ - verb sounds powerless, like he can’t change what’s happening
Repetition of ‘marks’ and ‘every’ - these help to show the sheer number of people affected.
‘Chimney-sweeper’s cry’ - these were usually young boys, emotive language to show the image of child labour.
‘Blights with plagues’ - implies the suffering of London/weakness is uncontrollable and we can’t help the fact its destined to affect lots of people.
17
Q
What does London’s structure show?
A
Relentless images of downtrodden, deprived people. First two stanzas focus on what he sees/hears, but this then shifts is stanza three to what he feels is responsible. Final stanza returns to looking at people, showing how even newborn babies are affected.
18
Q
What does the form in ‘London’ show?
A
Its a dramatic monologue - first person narrator speaks passionately and personally about the suffering he sees. The rigid ABAB rhyme scheme shows how continous the suffering is and echos the relentless misery around the city.
19
Q
What does London show a semantic field of?
A
Lack of power - ‘cry of fear’, ‘weakness’, ‘blights with plagues’, ‘youthful harlots curse’
20
Q
What does form show in the prelude?
A
A first person narrative, it sounds personal and therefore decrives a turing point in someones life. The uses of blank verses makes it seem serious and important. The regular rhythm makes it sound like natural speech.
21
Q
What does the structure in the prelude show?
A
There are three main sections in the extract. The 1st has a tone which is light and carefree, but a distinct change happens when the mountains appear. The tone becomes darker and more fearful, in the final section, the narrator reflects on how the experience has changed him. We see these changes through voltas.
22
Q
What words/phrases show a semantic field of the beauty of nature in the prelude? (In the 1st half)
A
“Litte boat tied to a willow tree” , “small circles glittering”, “melted”, “light”
23
Q
How can we see confidence initially in The Prelude?
A
He was boating “like a swan” - this simile shows confidence in that fact he was gliding across the water.
“Proud of his skill” “with an unswerving line” - this shows him as confident and possibly slightly arrogant, which contrasts the feelings show later on.
“Act of stealth” “troubled pleasure” - the oxymoron of “troubled pleasure” hints to his guilt and the fact hes done something he shouldn’t of, however he isn’t afraid of what he’s done which once again shows his confidence.
24
Q
How can we then see fear in the prelude after the volta?
A
“The horizon’s bound, a huge peak, black and huge” - emotive language and also pathetic fallacy, where the atmosphere describes the darker mood now felt by the narrator.
“Upreared its head” - personifies the mountain to make it seem more powerful. These contrast the previous images of beauty, ‘swan’ and ‘elfin’.
Semantic field of fear - “towered”, “trembling”, “silent”, contrasts the earlier semantic fields of beauty.
25
What are the three main feelings and attitudes in the prelude?
Confidence - initially the narrator feels confident and in control, however after seeing the mountain this starts to change.
Fear - Nature is shown to be a lot more powerful than humans, and therefore the narrator is left with a feeling of awe and respect for nature.
Reflection - The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on how he's been changed by the event, still he is troubled by what he has experienced.
26
How do we see reflection at the end of the prelude?
"Trouble to my dreams" - image is unsettling, which helps us to symthasise with him.
"In grave and serious mood" - the event has clearly taken the fun and confidence out of him, grave has a double meaning which the reader can interpret of meaning serious, but it also can be seen as a reminder of his mortalilty.
Both of these allow the reader to feel PATHOS!!!!!!!!!!
27
What does the form in 'beynot charge' show us?
The poem uses enjambment and caesura, as well as lines of uneven length. This creates the irregular rhythm that mimics the soldier struggling through the mud.
By calling this soldier 'he' rather than naming, keeps the interpretation open that this could show the struggles any young soldier can go through.
28
What does the structure in 'beyonet charge' show?
The poem starts 'in media res', and covers the soldiers movement over a short period of time.
1st stanza - soldier acting on instinct
2nd stana - time appears to stand still in the second stanza, when he thinks of his situation
Final stanza, gives up with thoughts and seems to have lost his humanity.
29
How do we see violence in the poem 'Beyonet charge'?
"Bullets smacking the belly out of the air" - violent imagery and onomatopoeia describes the sound and impact of shots.
"A rifle as numb as a smashed arm" - rifle is useless, foreshadows the injuries he is likely to face later on.
"Open silent" - suggests fear and pain beyond expression.
30
How does language show fear and terror in "beyonet charge"?
"Patriotic tear" - oxymoron shows how the initial patriotism very quickly can change to fear.
"Sweating like molten iron in the centre of his chest" - patriotism has changed to fear and pain - heroic ideals have been replaced by a painful reality.
"In what cold clockwork of the stars and the nations" - emphasises the soldiers insignificance and lack of control. "Cold" shows the people in charge don't care what happens about individual soldiers. Uses pathos.
"King, honour, human dignity, etcetera" - the use of etcetera shows the reasons for war aren't even worth listing, all patriotism has been lost to fear.
31
How is natural imagery used in the "beyonet charge"?
"Green hedge" - contrasts with the violence and terror of war.
"Threshing circle" - in agricultural terms, it's used to suggest that nature is affected by war.
"Yellow hare" suggest not only soldiers and humans suffer, but nature as well,
32
What are the two main feelings and attitudes in "bayonet charge"?
Terror - The poem challenges patriotism and shows how desperate terrible come to the overriding emotion in battle. The soldiers driven forward by fear rather than any more noble motive.
Confusion - The soldier is physically disorientated by the gunfire, but he's also questioning what he's doing there at all.
33
What is the effecf of Remains starting in media res?
"On another occasion, we get sent out" - As we go straight into the action the reader is left initally confused about what is actually going on. This mirrors the confusion that the soldiers will feel whem chucked into battle, as they also don't know what's going to come next and don't know how to deal with the emotional affects of it.
34
What affect does the statement "probably armed, possibly not" create?
Suggests there's a slight chance that the looter wasn't armed and was innocent. The fact "probably" comes first suggests to us that he wants to believe this as justification for his killing. The anaphora of this shows the posibility of the killing being unjustified and the guilt which he feels.
35
What does the repition of hinting at three of them killing him show in 'Remains'?
"Myself and somebody else and somebody else" "all", "all three", through this we can see he desperately wants to show he wasn't the only one involved in the killing, this could once again show guilt,
36
What affect does grusome imagery have in remains?
"Sort of inside out, pain itself, the image of agony" this switch from colloquial to emotional language. The colloquial language comes from pretending that he isn't impacted. It could also suggest they're using colloquial language as they're so used to killing it doesn't affect them anymore.
37
How can we see they're used to killing in remains?
"Tosses his guts back into his body. Then he's carted off in the back of a lorry". The verb 'tosses' shows a lack of respect and treating the body like an object. Suggests this is an action they're used to. Writer uses a ryhme of "lorry" and "body" which adds fluidity and makes it seem more natural. This once again suggests its a routine which they're used to.
38
What is the volta in remains?
"End of story, expect not really", this is where it shifts to talking of the speaker's mood. "His blood shadow" has a double meaning. Yes his blood stains the street, but it also stains a persons conscience and memory.
39
How do we see PTSD in remains?
"I'm home on leave. but" - caesura shows this should be final. However the warzone impacts him and even though he's physically left it, mentally he hasn't.
"I blink and he bursts" - enjambment across the two stanzas emphasises how this memory sticks with him for so long. Lots of plosives of 'b' also imply the harsh realities of war.
40
What does "his bloody life in my bloody hands" show in the poem remains?
Adjective bloody could have a double meaning. He could be talking about the physical blood from the man, but could also be interpreted by the reader as being cursing with bloody. Now he takes full responsibility with 'my'. The affects of PTSD has lead him to feeling fully responsible.
41
What does the form in 'remains' show?
No regular rhyme length or rhyme scheme, makes it sound like someone telling a story. Starts in the first person plural 'we', however later becomes the first person singular 'I'. This makes it sound more personal, like a confession. Couplet in the final lines have the same meter, showing the final guilt will stay with the man.
42
What does the structure in remains show?
Initially the speaker tries making excuses for what he's done and claims it wasn't just him. However the volta shift in the 5th stanza shows him accept his role and responsibility with the affcets of PTSD, however he also takes the full blame through the guilt. Shows how PTSD can even change someones memories.
43
How is language used in 'war photographer' to show the affects of war?
"Spools of suffering set out in odered rows" - the photos symbolise the suffering of soldiers.
"Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Penh" - the plosives of these words of previous words sounds like gunshots. These contrats the sounds of 'rural england' in stanza two.
The final stanza showing the readers reaction in 'tears' and 'beers' shows the sadness of war but that's quicky washed away by a beer. This is backed up by the final line of "they don't care"
44
How does war photographer show the suffering of war?
"Strangers features.... twist before his eyes" - focusing on one photo shows the personal and great suffering of war.
"Blood stained into foreign dust" - reminds us this all happens somewhere else. "Stained" hints to the lasting impacts of war.
In rural england the fields "don't explode" and there isn't 'nightmare heat' - the fact he can only see rural england through its comaparitive lens of conflict shows how you war never leaves you once you've experienced it.
45
What does form show in 'war photographer'?
Tight form of six lines a stanza in ABBCDD rhyme schemes. The rigidity of this form odds with the chaos caused by the conflict and reflect the order of 'rural england'. This structure could also show nothing changes through out, and the little power war photographers actually have to make a difference.
46
What does the structure in 'war photographer' show?
A cyclical structure as the poem ends through the photographer returning to the warzone from "the areoplane". This cyclical structure shows that no matter the work of the war photographer, nothing has changed and this shows how 'he stares impassively at how he earns a living and no one cares.
Throughout the poem the images also become clearler and clearer until they end up in the newspaper, the description of the suffering of war also increase with this.
47
How is nature described as the real enemy in exposure?
"Merciless iced east winds that knive us" - personification but also sibillance of the sound of wind with all the 's'.
The actual conflict is "less deadly than the aie that shudders black with show" once again personifying the weather. Also deathlike connotations of the word black.
Weather is made more significant by the litotes of war through auditory imagery in 'gunnery rumbles" and "dull rumour of some other war".
48
How is the reality of war shown in exposure?
Passage of time changes in seasons - "snow-dazed" to "sun-dozes" with "blossoms". Shows the boredom and how long they're just waiting.
Also shown in anaphora of "but nothing happens" at the ends of stanzas.
Suffering is shown by negatively personifying the winds - "mad gusts tugging on the wire like twitching agonies"
49
What do rhetorical questions show in exposure they doubt why they're actually there?
"What are we doing here?" - doubt why they're actually there
"Is it that we're dying?" - a second question possibly answering the first, showing how they feel there's no point in suffering if they're there to die.
50
How are religious references used in exposure?
Owen presents the soldiers to be carrying out their moral duties to save the innocent at home. "For love of God seems dying". Connotations can be made to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross to save humanity, with the acceptance of "we turn our backs to dying".
51
What does the form show in exposure?
First person plural - 'our' 'we' 'us', the collective voice shows how the experience was shared by many soldiers in war.
Regular ABBAC rhyme scheme shows the boredom and similarity of every day going by with no fighting. However regular half rhymes express discomfort, and that the soldiers could never actually reach a point of relaxation.
52
What does the structure show in exposure?
8 stanzas but no advancements really happen, like in the war. This is further emphasised by the cyclical structure in the 1st and the final stanza which both end in 'but nothing happens'.
53
What does the repetiton in "Charge of the light brigade" show?
Epistrophe of 'rode the six hundered' emphasises the fact at just how many of them are involved in the war.
"Theirs is not to make reply/ reason why/ do and die" - shows obedience (desirable victorian trait), but also the fact they're almost certaintly going to die. Makes the audience admire their bravery but also the lack of invidualism.
54
What do euphemisms show in "Charge of the Light Bridage"?
"Horse and hero fell" - these are said in order to soften the brutal impact of the battle. This fallng of the soldiers is also accompanied by the falling rythm of the dactylic dimeter. He was told to avoid showing the reality of battle.
55
How are metaphors used in "Charge of the Light Bridage"?
To create negative connotations for the reader.
"Jaws of death" - "Jaws" has claustrophobic connotations, which imply the soldiers will be 'eaten up' by or shredded by bullets.
"Mouth of hell" created the impression there's no escape from the valley once you enter it.
56
How is symbolism used in "Charge of the Light Bridage"?
"Valley of death" is a biblical allusion which refers to the protection provided by God, so this is highly ironic in the contect which its used. Could be a criticism that those of higher ranks should have done more to protect the light brigade.
"From the mouth of hell" links to when Jesus went to hell to save the souls of those who were there. Similarly how these soldiers are sacrificing themselves in order to give freedom to those back at home.
57
Where do we see sibilance in 'charge of the light bridage"?
Repetition of "flash'd" and "storm'd at with shot and shell"
58
What does the form show in ""Charge of the Light Bridage"?
3rd person narrative makes it sound like a story telling the bravery of these soldiers. The regular and relentless rythm creates a fast, rhyming couplets and triplets drive the poem forward. However this is broken down by the irregular rhyme scheme as the six hundered begin to fall apart.
Dactylic dimeter is also used which mirrors the rythm of the horse running into battle, which if further backed up by opening "half a league, half a league, half a league" which sounds like horses galloping. This in media res created a harsh atmosphere.
59
What context is there for "Charge of the Light Bridage"?
Tennyson was a laureate, meaning his role was to glorify war to the british public as much as he could through poetry.
Happened during the Crimean war, and the British public wasn't happy that they were getting involved to stop Russia expanding further.
60
What does the dual structure and ryhme scheme show in "Checking out me history"?
Division between the stanzas through Agard's use of italics shows the seperation between the history he was taught and black history.
The rhyme scheme ties together the sections concerning white and black history, showing how Agard is attempting to end segregation through literary unification.
61
What does the stanza organisation show in "checking out me history"?
Each stanza ends with a reference to a black historical figure which shows their significance to Agard. However the fact its at the end of the stanza could also show how they're given less prominence. The stanzas of British education all follow a rigid 4 line structure, showing how restrictive it is, but the random and complicated structure of black history could suggest to us beauty and complex nature of black history.
62
What does enjambment and repeition show is "checking out me history"?
The repetition of "Dem tell me" mirrors rote learning and it could be inferred that Agard had to rote to learn the history he was taught as it wasn't personal to him. As each stanza starts with "dem tell me", it shows how the the education system has dominated his knowledge of history, the same way this line dominates in the poem.
The enjambment following the connective "but" ties together the black and white history implying that they cannot be ignored. Overflowing sentances also show that the speaker is expressing to much emotional to be held by one single line, emphasising how much Agard cared about the subject matter.
63
What does the form show in "Checking out me history"?
Mixture of stanza forms, which suggest he's breaking the rules which he's been taught (like expanding his history knowledge). Carribean history has shorter lines with more broken syntax making it seem more serious. British sections have simple rhymes which makes it seem more childish.
64
What is the context for "checking out me history"?
Agard was born in Guyana but recieved a British education due to colonisation. The poem was inspired by reading British textbooks, claiming West Indian history began with Colombus. Was in a peom book aimed at people who were living under oppression and denied their cultural identity.
65
How are metaphors used in "Checking out me history"?
Violent metaphors are used to show the cruelty of colonialism - "blind me to me own identity". This emphasises his education changes the way he views the worlds history now, and the deliberate nature of the abuse inflicted by colonial control.
"Carving out me identity" - present participle verb suggests this is an ongoing process, and carving also suggests this is a painful process through its connotations. He feels pain having his identity hiden from him for so long.
66
What does the coloquial language show in "checking out me history"?
"Dem", "de" , "bout" - This shows how the speaker is resisting the traditions of the English language and the restrictions imposed by colonial rule. Agard’s use of phonetic spelling emphasises that that this poem is a form of oral poetry. Normally Agard writes in standard English so this makes this poem stand out in the collection. This also suggests the pride which he has in his background.
67
How is imagery of light a key feature in "checking out me history"?
"Bandage up me eye with me own history" - ironic as a bandage should cause healing, but here its caused blindness.
"Beacon" and "with vision" in a carribean history stanza. This light imagery contrasts the blindness created by the british education system.
68
What does the structure of "Kamikaze" show?
The poem is structured into tightly controlled stanza lengths of 6 lines, which perhaps relfects the order and obedience expected of a soldier. However this is juxtaposed and undermined by the free verse and enjambment.
Through this attempt at freedom within the strict stanzas, it suggests her father had his own desires, and individuality against the Japanese government.
However it could also show that he's starting to doubt his obedience and realised he wants to persue the unrestrained life.
69
What does the last word in Kamikaze show?
"Die" - suggests the soldier is destined to die one way or another, and he had inevitable fate. Reader will also reflect on their own mortality and life which will end the same way as the soldiers. Suggests conflict and patriotism denies humanity the enjoyment of life and nature. Cyclical structure is also shown starting with a one way trip to death, and ends with 'die'. However one is a heroic way to die and the other contrasts this is death based on shame and guilt.
70
What does the form show in "Kamikaze"?
There is a shift in narration from the third person to the first person, where the fathers return is discussed and this acts as the volta.
This dramatic shift from external to internal shows the impact war has had on her. It does however return to 3rd person in the final line, which signifies how she's detached from the culture which gave him the option of dying as a Kamikaze pilot, or how she's so ashamed of her father shes detaching herself from him.
71
What are the constrasts in semantic fields in "Kamikaze"?
The initial semantic field of patriotism and heriocy through "samurai sword", "a shaven head", "one way journey", however this is contrasted in the second + third stanza with a semantic field of peace and happiness. "Little fishing boats" "bunting" "shoals of fishes.... bellies swivelled towards the sun"
72
What is the context behind Kamikaze?
Garland wrote the peom as she was inspired into looking into the motivation to why people want to die for their country.
During WW2, Japanese pilots would be on suicide missions into targets, and they used planes filled with explosives. Well trained pilots initially volunteered, but towards the end people would be recruited and those who refused were shun (ignored/rejected in society).
73
How does the father see patriotism through nature in Kamikaze?
The fish are "like a huge flag", this simile shows that the father and his family is indoctrinated by Japanese culture.
However he also sees peace through nature, "feathery prawns" and "cloud marked mackerel". "Feathery" and "cloud marked" have heavenly connotations, and suggets why the father rejected death in this way.
74
How do we wee patriotic imagery in Kamikaze?
"Embarked at sunrise", Japan is the land of the rising sun. However instead of a day full of hope, he's potentially heading to death.
"Embark" also means to begin something, how he starts he new life after rejecting his role as a kamikaze pilot.
75
What is the context of "storm on the island"?
Heaney was an Northern Irish poet who wrote mostly about rural life in Ireland.
Storm on the Island is a part of a three poem segment. They were focused on the Aran islands and how nature shows its power there. These islands are tradiontionally used in Irish Poetry as a symbol of Irish Culture.
76
How is Iambic penatmeter used in "Storm in the Island"
Using iambic pentameter maintains a constant rythm which could argue to reflect a conversational tone. Alongside conversational tags like "you might think" "but no" and "you know what I mean" helps the reader to feel more engaged.
77
What does the ryhme scheme show in "Stom on the island"?
No consistent rhyme scheme which reflects the idea that no order can be placed upon nature. Its more powerful than humans so humans have no way to control it. Also related to the omnipotence of nature. Contrasts the very controlled rythm, this works to show the human power resisting power and chaos of tue storm.
Some half rhymes suggest that nature only allows for partial organisation, humans can only half control nature.
78
What does the cyclical structure show in "Storm on the Island"?
The half rhyme between the first and last couplets "houses squat"/"good slate" and "the empty air"/"nothing huge that we fear". Gives a cyclical structure connecting the preperation before the storm and the fear of the storms power at the end.
This cyclical structure also shows the resilience of the islanders. The cycle of preperation continues and the storm and recovery never truly ends.
79
What does the volta and enjambment show in "Storm on the island"?
The poem begins optimistically but then shifts to a tone of fear. This shift could reflect the final calm before the storm, and also the inability for the islanders to prepare for it properly as they can't see it coming.
Lines overflowing with enjambment is like the constant barrage of information, like the barrage of the storm. The poem being one single stanza mirrors how overwhelming the storm is. The breathless feel for the reader felt by the enjambment mimics the overwhelming feel the islanders have preparing for the storm.
80
What's the significance of "Storm on the island" being a dramatic monologue?
Through setting his poem here Heaney is using the poem as an autobiography of irish culture. This is demonstrated by his depiction of a collective experience of an island by using the pronoun "we".
The dramatic monologue structure means the poem is like a one way conversation which reflects the position of the islanders who have no one to help during the storm because they are isolated and alone.
81
What does the semantic field and colloquialisms in "storm on the island" show?
Heaney refers to military terms in the poem, e.g "strafes" "salvos" and the plosives of "blows full blast" which sounds like the harsh wind but also like gunshots. By comparing this to the military it suggests that they're under attack by nature.
Colloquial conversational tags like "you might think" "but no" "you know what I mean", draws the reader in and includes them in the poem. Suggests everyone can experience the impact of nature.
82
How are similes and semantic fields used in "storm on the island"?
"Spits like a tame cat//turned savage" - seems oxymoromic as a tame cat shouldn't be aggressive. Cat is a simile for nature, Heaney is suggesting nature has a take and docile side so isn't always rough.
Nature is personified through "pummels" and "bombarded by" which implies that the storm has a malicious intent to harm and damage.
83
How is isolation vs community a theme in "storm on the island"?
Contrast between the unification of a community and the isolation of the island is heightened by the structure of the poem. As it is written in dramatic monologue there is no reply to the speaker and this emphasises the isolation on the island. However in contrast to this poem is written in a collective voice (1st person plural).
84
What is the conext behind "Poppies"?
Weir was born in 1963 and lived in Northern Ireland during the troubles in the 1980’s. She has two sons which may have influenced her desire to explore what caused young boys to go to war and fight.
The poem comes from the collection commissioned by Carol Ann Duffy called “exit wounds”. Poppies grew in battlefields and became a symbol of remembrance in 1921
85
What does the form show in "Poppies"
The poem takes the form of a dramatic monologue. The speaker uses a first person narrative to directly adress their son but he never replies. This creates a sense of death and loss.
86
What does the structure in "Poppies" show?
No rhyme scheme or meter as well as a large variety in stanza length. This shows these are the speakers uncensored thoughts through which she desperately tries to make sense of the situation.
The use of free verse also creates the sense that this is an outpour of emotion. Chaotic structure also represents the speakers lack of control over her emotions.
87
What does the enjambment in 'poppies' show?
Weir’s use of enjambment is seen in “rolled, turned into felt // slowly melting” which gives the sentences a fragmented feeling. This alludes to the narrator having to grasp at incomplete memories. This breaking of the structure also corresponds to the emotional breaking of the mother.
88
How can we see the blending on domestic with conflict in 'Poppies'?
"Without a winter coat or reinforcements of scarf, gloves". Interweaves domestic imagery with violent military metaphors. Lack of protection from the cold implies violence has left marks on everyday life. Could also imply she needs reinforcement to face seeing the memorial for her son as it is still difficult to face a reality of her situation.
"Graze my nose across the tip of your nose" - affection is juxtaposed against the rough, injury connotations of 'graze'. Weir shows how war prevents people having a normal life.
89
What does the unconventional bravery show in "poppies"?
Weir explores emotional suffering as opposed to physical pain. "I was brave" opposes conventional ideas of bravery associated with fighting and risk taking.
"Poppies" the narrator is acting bravely by carrying on with daily life despite what she is suffering. She is also brave as despite the fear of losing her son to war, she still lets him go.
90
How can we see imagery in "poppies"
"Gelled blackthorns of your hair" - this could allude to the crown of thorns when Jesus was crucified. Suggests how the son has sacrificed himself to save others. Religious imagery
"Spasms" "bandaged" - "bandaged" suggests the idea of being wounded. However this has a double meaning, the mother could be emotionally damaged through the death of her son, but he may also be wounded in war.
91
What does the opening symbolise in "poppies"?
A tone of rememberance is set right from the start. Weir sets the scene of the poem at a memorial service to show the reader that the speaker and her son, who made the ultimate sacrifice, are victims of war.
"Three days before Armistice sunday".
92
What is the context behind "Tissue"?
Imtiaz Dharker was born in Pakistan but grew up in Glasgow. Most of her poems concentrate on identity and home.
Poem comes from the collection "Terrorist at my Table", which focuses global politics, terrorism and extremism. She presents the idea humans don't have the right attitude to life, and we simply see it as an oppurtunity to gain power.
93
What does the form show us in "Tissue"?
The poem takes the form of an allegory which has the hidden meaning of revealing the transience of life. This could cause the reader to let go of a materialistic life and instead focus on the people around them and God. It ends with the direct address “your skin” to cement this message in the readers’ minds that they should consider their own actions.
94
What does the stanza length show in "Tissue"? (Structure)
The whole poem is written in quadtrains, this provides a consistent structure to show how restrictive human power and control can be.
However the final line is a single line stanza. Thus emphasises and isolates its meaning. Shows it breaking free from the controlling structure, the same way humans need to break free from the control of human power.
95
What does the free verse and enjambment show in "Tissue"?
The regularity of the fixed stanza length is undermined by the use of free verse and enjambment. These loose structural features show the idea freedom can still be found within the restrictive institution.
However they also show the most powerful presentations of power are underpinned by chaos and significance. The enjambment unifies lines, showing how humans should be united, regardless of power. The lack of control shown by these devices could be mocking those who believe they have a lot of power.
96
What do the extended metaphors in "Tissue" show?
Tissue paper is used to liken surrounding objects to human life. "Maps too", like a map, people can have many different cultures and backgrounds within them.
The Koran (Islamic sacred book) is also paper, but also a collection of lives, its power comes not from the paper but its influence on peoples lives.
"Might fly our lives like paper kites" - power of paper once again shown. If money in given too much power, it can also govern our lives; "fly them".
97
How is religion shown in "Tissue"?
Symbol of light is a recurring theme in the poem. "Paper that lets the light shine through". Light is a symbol of truth and enlightenment to show how the world should actually be used, not just an opportunity to gain power.
The poem could be interpreted to also be a source of enlightenment to the listener of a new way of living in which God is able to permeate through life and materialism.
98
How is society shown in the poem "Tissue"?
Dharker sets out what would make an ideal society. Metaphor of buildings "falling away on sigh", how they should be able to be changed and adapted easily. Buildings are a symbol of permenance which should be abolished. Society should be more open to change in the harsh alliteration of "turned transparent"
99
How is human power shown in the poem "tissue"?
Dharker explores what humans deem to be truly important based on what they put down on paper (religious truths, buildings (compared to paper), borders, money etc). This leads the reader to questioning is these are the right things to be vesting into. Symbolism in “Koran”, “borderlines”, “mountain folds”, “fine slips”, “what was paid by the credit card” and “capitals and monoliths” demonstrates all the symbols of human power are also causes of division between people.
100
What does the opening in "Tissue" show?
Title has a double meaning, if could be reffering to tissue as thin paper which can easily be destroyed, or it could be human tissue which ages and eventually dies.Society can be viewed as a tissue as it is made from a collection of cells and is intrinsically fragile but it could also become more like tissue by becoming more flexible.
The line “Paper that lets the light shine through” is ironic as despite it being translucent, it is able to exert great influence. Religious books are an example of paper with power which have a large influence on the way people act.
101
What is the context behind "The Emigreé"?
Carol Rumens was born in London but also lived in Belfast and Wales, and travelling through Russia and Eastern Europe. This is reflected in the writing, the majority of which is written about foreign customs, culture and language.
The poem is written in a collection centred around political consciousness in Russia and East Europe. Culture and identity also are a focus in this collection.
102
What does the repetition show in "The Emigreé"?
Repetition of "they" creates the aggressive and accusatory tone to make the city seem threatening and hostile. This reflects the aggression aimed at her from the citizens of her new city due to their racism - "accuse me of being dark". New threat, not now physical but social. Feels she doesn't belong in the new city as she doesn't share the culture/identity.
She can't however return to her native country, so she's in an odd position of experiencing no "sunlight". The segregation is further emphasised through repition of "their city".
103
What does the last stanza show in "The Emigreé"?
It can be interpreted as a description of the new city. Rumens uses enjambment in "through the city// of walls" to seperate "walls" from the rest of the text. This causes the reader to see walls as an isolated idea, with connotations of entrapment.
The final stanza also contaims caesura and free verse to create a sense of chaos which could conversely be interpreted as indicative of freedom. The chaos could also smybolise the chaos of this place she loves. The final stanza is also the longest (8 lines, 8 lines, 9 lines), this stanza focuses on the speakers love for the place which implies just how much she liked it. It also suggests the fact the doesn't want to leave, and is dragging the memory on as long as possible.
104
What does the form show in "The Emigreé"?
The poem is in free verse with no rythm or rhyme. This could represent the choas and lack of control over a country with no stable government. This juxtaposes the positive imagery in the poem so the form could be more likely presenting freedom.
105
What does the epistrophe show in "The Emigreé"?
The repeated use of a word at the end of a stanza or sentance. In this poem, every stanza ends with a reference to sunlight. This is juxtaposed with the negative connotation of "branded" in "but I am branded by the impression of sunlight". This shows how her love for her country will always overrule any feelings of pain caused by it.
106
How do we see the imagery of light in "The Emigreé"?
Semantic field of positivity - "sunlight", "every coloured molecule", "bright", "glow". This the overriding feel this is a beautiful place.
Gustatory imagery of "it tastes like sunlight". This positivity is also shown in the juxtaposition between darkness and light in "my shadow falls as evidence of sunlight".
The fact "sunlight" is the final word in the poem makes the reader also leave with a reminder of the positivity surrounding the city.
107
What extended metaphor is used in "The Emigreé"?
The poem acts as an extended metaphor for a lost childhood. "I comb its hair and love its shining eyes" suggests that she treats the city like shes a mother to it with her unconditional love. "My city hides behind me", she defends the city like she would defend her child, from the criticism of the outside world.
108
What is the context behind "My last duchess"?
Browning was born in London, but spent most of life in Italy, and eventually died in Venice. He disliked school so was homeschooled, but was also fluent in many languages.
My Last Duchess was set in another era and country, but contains a political message and a criticism of society. Changing the setting of the poem helped to disguise the criticism and makes the readers more open to accepting the message.
109
What was the inspiration for "My Last Duchess"?
Duke of Ferrara - was also known as Alfonzo II and served as the fifth duke of Ferraro. He is widely considered to be the inspiration for the poem as the poem set in Ferrara and Browning was fascinated and obsessed with the story of his life. Alfronzo II’s first wife died under suspicious circumstances, and the duke was believed to have been a murder. He went on to have other wives later.
110
What does the form of "My Last Duchess" show?
This poem is an example of a persona poem. Here the speaker is taking on the persona of the Duke of Ferra. This allows Browning to give an idea of the wider context at that time. The first person, present tense narrative gives the speaker a great deal of power over the text as he can control what he tells the reader. This reflects the power the Duke holds over women and his subjects.
111
What does the dramatic monologue show in "My Last Duchess"?
The choice of this perspective shows the domineering presence of the Duke, who dominates a conversation and won’t let anyone else talk because he tends to take control of everything. The dramatic monologue means readers are exclusively exposed to his perspective. This provides the reader with a biased account of the narrative.
There is no female side to the story, andthis mirrors how there was no female side
to the narrative of Victorian society either.
Women had no right to vote or hold power
outside of the home so were politically silenced.
112
What does the opening in "My Last Duchess" show?
The reader’s interest is invoked from the title and initial phrase in the first lines, "My Last Duchess", because it raises questions such as: why is it his “last Duchess”? Is she dead? If so, how has she died?.
The line "I call that piece a wonder" is ominous as it suggests the Duke viewing the subject of his dead wife as a piece of art rather than sentimentally as his wife. This immediately suggests she was only ever a possession to him.
The Duke forces his visitor to sit down with the rhetorical question "will’t please you sit and look at her?”, which implies that the Duke is in sole control of who sees her. The opening immediately sets up a sinister tone for the piece.
113
What does the iambic pentameter and single verse show in "My Last Duchess"?
The iambic pentameter reflects how the Duke holds traditional and conservative views of women, especially seeing as the poem is set in the past. It also demonstrates the Duke’s sense of pride and superiority, because the meter has a very tight control of rhythm and rhyme.
The use of only one single verse to structure the poem makes it feel overwhelming and tiring. This structure mirrors the Duke’s power, suggesting his presence is overwhelming as he dominates the room and the poem. The no-stanza structure of the piece also gives it a sense of being like a stream of consciousness of the Duke’s unadulterated thoughts and feelings. The stream of consciousness suggests the speaker lacks censorship, thus demonstrating a lack of control over himself.
114
What does the enjambment and ceasura show in "My Last Duchess"?
Browning’s use of enjambment allows the poem to flow and seem more like a natural conversation. This natural narration is reinforced by the fact that the rhyming couplets aren’t obvious. The enjambment also presents him as weak and unbalanced, as he is getting carried away. It could also imply that he is overcome by emotion and anger and this is why he lacks control over his speech and actions. Therefore, he has control/power over himself but not over others.
Browning’s use of caesura shows his speech as poorly planned or formed as he keeps interrupting himself. The caesura makes the poem seem rambling and breaks up rhythm, so that it is not pleasant to listen to.
115
What do the possessive pronouns show in "My Last Duchess"?
The speaker makes use of possessive pronouns such as “my” to show that he has ownership of the Duchess, and shows that she is a possession not an individual. The speaker refers to her as "my duchess", not "my wife", which shows a lack of affection or emotion. This furthers the image that she is an accessory not a partner, as well as showing his complete power over her.
116
How is symbolism used in "My Last Duchess"?
By portraying the character as a painting Browning is displaying the Duchess’ complete objectification; she is something to be admired and looked at as well as something to control. "none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you but I".
The statue of Neptune also creates parallels to the Duke who has attempted to use his domestic power to “tame” a wife that was “too easily impressed”. He transformed her from a “sea-horse” with free will into a painting that is controlled by him and a possession equal in status to other statues
