Prayer before birth

Question 1

O hear me

Answer 1

Emotive affect of the child’s appeal to god, to receive protection, symbolise innocent in the world no are often unheard

Question 2

Or…or…or in the first 3 lines

Answer 2

Polysyndeton emphasises the sheer number of threats the facing the unborn child.

Question 3

Wise lies

Answer 3

Oxymoron are lies ever wise?implies it’s easier to believe lies rather than face the truth of humanity’s own evil-emphasises seductive power of lies

Question 4

Grass to grow

Answer 4

Water, grass, trees, sky and birds need to be nurtured not threatened. This shows utiopian imagery which contrasts the dystopian imagery

Question 5

When they speak me, my thoughts when they think me

Answer 5

Unusual syntax because the speaker/child has no agency are being controlled, context link to propaganda and dictatorship-nations being told what to say and think

Question 6

Rehearse me

Answer 6

Reference to Shakespeares play as you like it. Implies social roles we play are not innate, they are a result of social conditioning. Society can shape the unformed individual for better or worse

Question 7

I am not yet born

Answer 7

Repition-emphasises Childs innocence and vulnerability, creating pathos

Question 8

Make me a stone

Answer 8

Stone-afraid that society will make him emotionally hard and lacking compassion and empathy for others. But also it wants to possess a definite identity.