Structure

Question 1

A poison tree

Answer 1

Very simple structure (4 even stanzas, rhyming couplets, aabb rhythm) contrasts with the narrators complex emotions.

Question 2

The destruction of Sennacherib

Answer 2

The repeating AABB rhythm is thought to echo the sound of the soldiers hooves as they marched into battle. Also the 1st and 5th stanzas are complete opposites.

Question 3

Extract from the prelude

Answer 3

First stanza has positive language and is juxtaposed against the negative language used in the second stanza.

Question 4

The man he killed

Answer 4

The last stanza repeats the first stanza’s overall message in the last few lines. Shows the narrator is passionate on the subject.

Question 5

Cousin Kate

Answer 5

Each stanza contains many different emotions, the first and last have the most positive emotions- shows the narrator has moved on and has raised above the lord (metaphorically)

Question 6

Half-caste

Answer 6

Repetition of “explain yuself” shows the narrators confusion and need for answers- he is passionate and wants to know what is so wrong about him.

Question 7

Exposure

Answer 7

Repeats “but nothing happens” shows the pain and agony of waiting for something (probably something dangerous) to happen, shows war is not all about action.

Question 8

The charge of the light brigade

Answer 8

The repetition of “half a league, half a league, half a league onward” sets the rhythm and pace of the whole poem. The pace is like a marching pace showing the spirit of the soldiers marching into battle.

Question 9

Catrin

Answer 9

There are 2 large stanzas in the poem one (a memory) about the birth of Catrin and the second about (a present) incident in which Catrin asks to go skating- the gap can suggest the growing separation between mother and daughter as Catrin grows.

Question 10

War Photographer

Answer 10

The 2nd and 3rd stanzas are juxtaposed to clearly show the difference between the photographers two articles- emphasises inequality

Question 11

Belfast confetti

Answer 11

To show the narrator’s confusion the stanzas are irregular, many occurrences of enjambment and the poem beginning with “exclamation marks” and ending with “question marks” (the complete opposite of what usually happens)

Question 12

The class game

Answer 12

The poem is written in one long stanza, this presents the poem as one long continuous rant, showing the narrator’s passion for the subject.

Question 13

Poppies

Answer 13

Use of enjambment shows the mother’s struggle to compose herself and stay calm whilst telling the story. Also 4 stanzas shows the mother’s mixed emotions about her son leaving.

Question 14

No problem

Answer 14

Repetition of “i am not de problem” reinforces key idea.

2 stanzas shows separation between narrator and society.

Question 15

What were they like?

Answer 15

The questions and answer structure shows the suffering of the innocent peasant people living a dignified life in their awful conditions.