The Farrier (Gender + pride)

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

• Stanza’s set into tercets (typical of welsh poetry)
• The stanza’s are enjambed which creates a flow and pushes the poem forwards.
• Largly monosyllabic which conveys the simple work that the farrier is doing.
• It is a Vignette (a poem which captures a short period of time).
• 2nd person perspective, the reader is an observer.
• Extended metaphor of complex male and female friendships.

Question 2

Context

Answer 2

• Owning horses was common
• The farrier is a specialist in the care of horses hooves.
• Strong culture of farming in wales.

Question 3

‘Blessing himself with his apron’

Answer 3

• Religous imagery conveys how he views his job as sacred and important. Preist like worship = he holds the power.

Question 4

‘For the mare to be led from the feild to the yard’

Answer 4

• Around the mare there is passive language. Conveys how the farrier is in complete control of the mare. Metaphor for marriage and the relationship between men and women.

Question 5

‘the smoke slow-turning from his mouth’

Answer 5

• Sibilance followed by assonance makes the word seem fast then suddenly slow. Reflects his practiced movements.

Question 6

‘as he runs his hand / the length of her neck’

Answer 6

• Enjambment used to create sensual imagery. Active language around him.

Question 7

‘Twisting his sideburns in its fingers’

Answer 7

• Masculine appearance

Question 8

‘a romantic lead dropping to the lips of his lover’

Answer 8

• Showing respect for her?

Question 9

‘cutting moon silver clippings, excavating […] filing […] branding’

Answer 9

• Use of active language to show him doing work. Masculine.

Question 10

‘Branding on a shoe […] a seamstress pinning the dress of the bride’

Answer 10

• Ownership?
• Making the horse his and his only.
• Reflects on a lack of autonomy women have.

Question 11

‘The sound of his steel, biting at her heels’

Answer 11

• Sibilance + repeated ‘s’ to covney the horse walking away.