Will it be so again? Flashcards
(17 cards)
Who is Cecil Day-Lewis?
A prominent poet, novelist, and educator born in Ireland in 1904, served as Poet Laureate of the U.K from 1968 until his death in 1972
Known for his involvement in the literary scene of the 1930s and for writing under the pseudonym Nicholas Blake.
What is the significance of the pseudonym ‘Nicholas Blake’?
It was used by Cecil Day-Lewis to protect the seriousness of his poetry
This allowed him to separate his literary work from his detective fiction.
What themes are prevalent in Cecil Day-Lewis’s poetry?
- Violence
- War and disillusionment
- Accountability
- Patriotism
His poetry evolved to focus on the natural world and personal issues as he matured.
What is a quintain in poetry?
A poetic form or stanza that contains five lines
Quintains can have any line length or meter.
What is the rhyme scheme of ‘Will it be so again?’?
ABABA ABABA
This rigid structure emphasizes the themes of the poem.
What type of poem is ‘Will it be so again?’?
An anti-war lament consisting of five stanzas
Each stanza contains quintains.
What is the effect of the refrain in ‘Will it be so again?’?
It emphasizes the cyclical nature of war and the relentless cycle of violence
The refrain is presented variably, framing the stanzas.
What does Cecil Day-Lewis’s poem reflect about politicians?
It critiques politicians as ‘empty’ and ‘scheming’, highlighting their deception
This reflects the speaker’s disdain towards political figures during wartime.
What impact did the Great Depression have on Cecil Day-Lewis’s views?
It contributed to his anti-capitalist, left-wing political views
He was affected by mass unemployment and the harsh treatment of protesters.
What does the metaphor ‘like seeds’ signify in the poem?
It symbolizes hope, potential, and nourishment for the future
This metaphor contrasts with the harsh realities of war.
What literary device is used in the line ‘Peace with no heart or mind to ensure it’?
Personification
This highlights the emptiness of peace that lacks true commitment.
What is the tone of ‘Will it be so again?’?
Disdain, irony, bitterness, adamance, and hope
The tone conveys a strong critique of war and its consequences.
What does the line ‘Call not upon the glorious dead’ imply?
It suggests that the living must take responsibility for preventing war
This emphasizes accountability among current leaders.
True or False: Cecil Day-Lewis was known for his political and social poems in his youth.
True
His early works often reflected his engagement with political and social issues.
What does the term ‘Auden group’ refer to?
A collective of poets from the 1930s, including Cecil Day-Lewis
This group is also known as ‘The Thirties poets’.
Fill in the blank: Cecil Day-Lewis served as Poet Laureate of the U.K from _______ until his death.
1968
His role included composing poems for significant national events.
What does the term ‘Biblical allusion’ refer to in the context of the poem?
References to Biblical themes, such as ‘sowing and reaping’
This allusion serves as a metaphor for the consequences of one’s actions.
