This Winter coming - Karen Press Flashcards
Learn possible exam questions (20 cards)
Comment on the poet’s word choice of the word “thick” in line 2 (2)
This word relates to the rain- it is thick, like a blanket; textured - a heavy rain
How does line 2 create an ominous tone? Refer to the extended metaphor in your answer (3)
This figurative winter symbolises oppression from the apartheid laws. “only just entered” suggests that the oppression will only get worse. Things will get far worse before they get better. There is an allusion to possible violence/ uprising against the oppression
Who is the speaker addressing in line 3? What is the effect of this address? (2)
All readers, in fact, all South Africans. All people should be afraid of the Resistance. There will be violence in response to the oppression
How is a sense of violence portrayed in lines 4-5? (2)
The sea is described as “swollen, churning in broken waves” - this is a destructive ocean, not a peaceful and serene one. It is a dangerous place to be
Comment on the inclusion of the word “shroud” in line 7 (3)
A shroud is a cloth traditionally used to cover dead bodies in preparation for a funeral. The word intensifies the feelings of fear, anger and helplessness in the face of the weather conditions. This rain and cold can kill those unprotected from it.
Suggest a reason why people would fear winter? Refer to the literal and figurative meanings of the word meanings of the word (3)
Homeless people or people living in shacks would fear winter because it exposes them to all the elements all the time. It is cold and wet. They could fall ill and possibly die. This is the literal interpretation. This figurative element compares winter to a time of political and social hardship in South Africa. Those left unprotected (the non-whites) will be exposed to hardship and possibly death.
Identify and explain the figurative speech in “these women are a tide of sadness” (3)
Metaphor- the amount of sadness is so great that if it were in liquid form, it would make up a sea. It would drown everything in its path
Explain the effectiveness of the metaphor, “tombstones/ engraved with open eyes”. (2)
The stillness of the men is such that they seemed to be carved from stone. They have become so hardened that they seem dead, if it were not for the open eyes. They look dead but are alive
How does the reaction of the children differ from the adults (2)
The adults are fearful, but the children run wildly; they are active and alive. They use fire to warm themselves, because they are so thin. Here, the rain is positive despite being portrayed as negative throughout of the whole poem.
To what does the “raging fire of dead children” (line 27) refer? (3)
This seems to refer to the children who died in violent uprisings (like Sharpeville and Soweto etc.) The word “raging” suggests the passion of the children and the ugliness of the system oppressing them. Children died when trying to bring about change in the Apartheid era
Discuss how the “sky” has changed throughout the poem. What is the implication of it in line line 28 (3)
Rain comes from the sky and is now “collapsing under the centuries of rain”. At first, the sky is just that —a sky. It then intensifies to a sky “tolling like a black bell” and in the final stanza it is falling. The Apartheid system has become unbearable. The time for change has arrived, BUT things are going to get worse before they get better during the Apartheid era.
Comment on the effectiveness of the anaphora (“who is not frightened?”) in the poem (2)
Includes all readers and South Africans. It serves as an emphasised warning to the oppressors - a revolution is coming and things must change
The two last lines of the poem breaks the ‘pattern’ of the rest of the poem. Why did the poet write these lines differently to the anaphora in the rest of the poems? (3)
At first, the anaphora was one line (“who is not frightened?”). Now it is extended over two lines. This adds to the idea that the ‘winter’ is about to arrive. It is ominous. It acts as a warning of what is to come.
What does line 2 (‘of this winter we have only just entered’) imply about the nature of this metaphorical season? (2)
This ‘season’ has just started. Winter is a metaphor for upcoming violence or social change. Metaphorically, things are going to get a lot worse than they are now, like winter gets colder/ worse as the season progresses
Discuss the effectiveness of the description of the women, dogs and children in lines 9-11 (2)
There seems to be a prevailing sadness- women are sad, children are crying and dogs are barking (which symbolises chaos or threat of violence). It’s not just one woman, child and dog, but it is plural, which emphasises the far-reaching oppression/sadness.
Explain how the anaphora (repetition) creates the overall tone of the poem (3)
The repetition of the phrase “who is not frightened” creates a sense of urgency/panic/caution/warning/fear. The speaker makes a point that ALL people should be frightened of the impending change/ violence/ uprising/ transition. Things are going to get violent when the oppressive system is fought and eventually, hopefully beaten/ overthrown. The tone is ominous/ cautionary/ fearful/ advisory/ anxious
Explain the effectiveness of the anaphora throughout of the poem (2)
This line emphasises the fear - not only of the harsh winter approaching, but also the figurative season of suffering. The repetition highlights the helplessness of those suffering the harsh conditions OR their fear of the approaching ‘winter’.
Refer to line 14: ‘the sky is tolling like a black bell’. Identify the figure of speech used in this line. (1)
Simile
Refer to line 14: ‘the sky is tolling like a black bell’. Comment on the effectiveness of this image (2)
By comparing the sky to a black bell, we are reminded of the heavy, dark cloud cover. The reference to a funeral bell (‘tolling’) reinforces the women’s despairing mood.
Refer to lines 28-31: ‘and the sky … upon us now?’ Critically discuss how these lines convey the central message of the poem (3)
The message is that the ongoing oppression has become untenable. There is a growing body of resistance. The sky is ‘collapsing’ and the wind is ‘crying’ - there is a suggestion that the oppression might fall in the face of the opposition. There is a pervading sense of fear of the upcoming violence.
