Poetry Context Flashcards
(19 cards)
Death of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney
Grew up in rural Ireland on his family farm.
He describes his childhood as “an intimate, physical, creaturely existence.”
His younger brother died in 1953 at only 4 years old - poem experiences the loss of innocence
Henry became a father in 1966 which was when this poem was published.
Hawk Roosting by Ted Hughes
Spent much of his life ion rural areas; fishing hunting and enjoying the outdoors.
Fascinated by animals - was a retriever for his brother when he went shooting.
Was aware of the harsh realities of nature as he grew up in the countryside.
His father fought in WW1, almost died and so much of his poem reflects violent imagery and death.
Image of a bird sat in a tree was the “imperial eagle” symbol of the Nazi
Studied anthropology - study of humans, which is reflected in his poetry.
To Autumn by John Keats
Was a Romantic Poet
Both his parents died when he was young of tuberculosis - he knew his time was precious as he died at 25 of it as well
He found trouble with money when writing this poem - this poem was the final poem of his career as he needed money
Poem inspired by his walk along the River Itchen in September
Idea of Negative capability
What is a Romantic poet?
idea of glorifying and immersing oneself in nature
What is negative capability?
life is precious and live in the moment and enjoy what you have.
Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Browning
Lived in the early 19th century
Devout Christian, describing her faith as “the wild dreams of an enthusiast”
She was ill and frail for most of her life - she took mediation to help which may have led to her wild thoughts
She had a had time with her tyrannical father as he opposed her to marrying anyone and threatened to disown her if she did.
She married “Robert browning” after she became famous
They communicated by letter in secret so her father didn’t find out
They moved to Italy to get married
She published the poem in Portuguese so her father didn’t find out.
London by William Blake
Grew up in London during the industrial revolution
He was only educated up to the age of 10 which led to his peculiar views on life
He was an English dissents - protestant which didn’t believe in state interface
Initially supported the French revolution (idea of overthrowing the monarchy) but then critiqued it when it turned into chaos and violence.
Factories during the French Revolution where highly polluting and produced a thick black smog which covered London.
The Solider by Rupert Brooke
He enlisted to fight in WW1 but never got to fight because he died on a ship.
He was buried in Skyros (Greece)
Studied at Cambridge and was very popular and well known
He travelled widely but often got homesick
Poem became famous after he died and was used as propaganda to encourage people to enlist.
As Imperceptibly as Grief by Emily Dickson
Obsessed with and afraid of death - her best friend died of Titus so she moved to live with her grandparents in grief
Her bedroom looked out onto a graveyard - she sat in her room most of her life
She was a recluse - wrote loads of letters
This poem was written when her mother was dying
Her writing is very personal as there was not an intended audience
The Prelude by William Wordsworth
He was an English poet who lived in rural areas such as the lake district
He has a distant relationship with his father and his mother died at the age of 7 - he went to a boarding school
He lived with his maternal grandparents but they didn’t get on - he contemplated suicide.
He had a strong connection with nature, and believed it was a teacher.
He called it “spots of time” - the idea of appreciating the wider world - was a Romantic poet
Prelude focuses on his childhood and his connection with nature.
Loved to ice skate as a kid.
Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy
Her writing explores ideas about gender, oppressions and sexuality
She is a contemporary poet
She is openly part of the LGBTQ+ community
Valentine was written for a radio station for valentines day.
Became the first women Poet Laurette
She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron
“Mad, bad and dangerous to know” - considered
Romantic Poet
Involved in many sex scandals, even homosexual ones - homosexuality was illegal
His mothers boyfriend tried to make moves on him when he was younger
He is said to have got with his step sister
This poem is intended to be read with music
When Byron was at a party, he saw his cousins wife which made him write this poem about beauty.
Living Space by Imtiaz Dharker
Multicultural poet who lives in the UK and Mumbai
She uses her multicultural perspective throughout her writing
Her writing makes attempt at raising awareness of how people in other cultures live.
Mumbai slums have millions of people living in them - total population is unknown - extreme poverty
Limited access to food, water, education and electritiy.
Cozy Apologia by Rita Dove
her poem combines historical with personal
Married to Fred Viebah - who the poem is dedicated too
She lived in Virginia
Hurricane Floyd hit the east coast in 1999 - poem is set during the hurricane.
Hurricane caused $6.5 million damage and 76 people died
Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen
Enlisted to fight in 1915 aged 18
He was critical of his fellow troops calling them “expressionless lumps”
1916: He fell into a shell hole and suffered severe shell shock - he was left there for several days among the dead
Sieged Sassoon was another poet who inspired his to write this poem
He wrote direct opposition to WW1 propaganda at the time , didn’t want war glorified - poet Jessie pope was writing propaganda poems which Owen opposed against
Chlorine gas was a popular weapon in WW1
Anachronistic ideas
Mametz Wood by Owen Sheers
Raised in south wales
He focuses with the way people identify with land and country’s - focuses of “lost, separation and borders people create”
Wrote poem in 2005 when Mametz Wood was still being uncovered
Par of the battle of the Somme
Men were put into division on where they were from
36th Welsh division took over Mametz Wood - 400 men died in 1 day - due to bad leading in battle.
Anachronistic ideas
Ozymandias by Percy Shelley
Well educated - went to oxford and Eton - expelled from Oxford after a year for his atheists’ views
Troubled relationship with his father as he worked in parliament - why he had a negative view on people with power.
Parents rejected his political views and sexual freedom
He is a Romantic Poet
Ozymandias is also Rameses 2nd who was an Egyptian Pharaoh - one of the greatest ever and was considered “God on earth”
Had status built in his honor
Poem was written as after Shelley heard this statue had been found by an Italian explorer
Afternoons by Phillip Larkin
Homeschooled until he was 8 by his mother - he had few friends and little close relationships
Unsuccessful with love - he often had multiple relationships at once, his poems are about the woman he had loved.
Known for being solitary and fame hating - rejected a chance at the poet Laurette
His poems are observational and focus on everyday life and relationships. His poems are very somber and melancholy.
In the 1960’s gender roles were very defined - women had to stray at home and men had to work.
Governments were taking steps to get rid of old housing and replace with newer housing and green spaces,
A Wife in London by Thomas Hardy
Poet of the Victorian age (during industrial revolution)
Critical of much of Victorian society as he felt it limited lives and potential for happiness
Anti war (particularly Boer war)
Idea of fate features prominently in his work
Boer war - use of telegrams urgent news, and normal post too longer.
