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Created by Annie Loizides
over 7 years ago
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Lord Byron : -Romantic Poet, hugely popular -Early life of poverty , but inherited riches at the age of 10 -Extremely popular with women and conducted a vast number of affairs with women of high status and, rumours suggested, his half sister -Based on a relationship -Focuses on human nature rather than natural world -Lyric poem - no story/ emotions -perceived at deceitful -aware of how he was perceived in the public eye-painted idea as he was perfect gentleman and the treacherous women broke his heart-victimizes himself
- example of accentual verse - 2 stresses syllable counts -line 5 ,7 break this rule (contain 3 stressed syllables) Describes moment when rejected by his lover . Broken and rejected, thus the poem structure is broken too. breaking of structure reflects shock. -sensory description 'colder' , relationship sensory pleasure -Ambiguity , 'half-broken hearted'; either was was broken hearted and the other had little interest, or both were partially broken hearted. Theme of relationship being unequal. -Paints himself passive victim- Byron broken hearted (interpretation) -rhyme scheme follows that of a sonnet (love poetry) The poem begins with the rhyme scheme of a sonnet but falls out of this structure , " Thy vows are all broken" , previous line '.'- sudden break to suggest the two had a loving relationship worthy of a sonnet form before heard of latest infidelity. same quote -present tense Shift in tense backs up idea that things changed since latest information. Felt strongly toward his lover prior to hearing about her latest infidelity- cheated, feeling of love disappeared. Present tense- moment discovers her affair- broken vows full stop- stop to his feelings Vows- Vows they made to each other, language of marriage to suggest their love as sacred as marriage relationship. Knell -bell at funeral. When he hears about her cheat- emotionally broken Structure -3 different time frames suggest that the pain inflicted on him will last forever- painted as victim 'thee' - Ancient language ( love is timeless- sacred love poet supposedly felt) Archaic word felt out of fashion in 17th cent Ending Ends in similar fashion to that it began Final line, meeting in silence direct repetition of opening sentence of the parting reflects cyclical nature of poets feeling cannot get over love and stuck in emotions Anaphora in final verse in secret we met in silence we grieve repetition doomed to repetitive nature, feelings of loss and grief structure similar to opening line stuck in stuck in inescapable, repetitive, cyclical nature of relationship Grammatical "In silence I grieve" Poetic inversion - varied word order ordering of words greater emphasis on silence Reaction is silence -poem to be made silent ( greatest sign of distress, loses ability to communicate- clearly broken )
Percy Shelley - Romantic Poet -Was expelled from University for writing in favour of atheism -Wrote exclusively for himself rather than the public -Pacifist Poem - focuses entirely on the natural world -Fits into the romantic poetry theme (nothing in the world is on its own) Structured as a two part argument final line- questioning why Cohesively persuading his lover to be physical Lyric poem or dramatic monologue Lyric: emotional not telling story- expressing thoughts and feelings No progression it is one main idea Shelley uses religious imagery in a satirical way- against religion Dramatic monologue: Single person talking to someone else - silent listener follows form - speaker talking directly to someone who is a silent listener ask question- demanding domineering no reply- seems like it is unimportant
Structure: formal argument 5 clear assertions in each stanza List of factual statements Rhetorical question- the weight of the argument is stronger, main point is accurate which is backed up my the facts previously made Repeats argument- demanding, will not take no for an answer almost as though the first stanza was not successful The speaker becomes more desperate as the poem progresses earth based imagery -stanza 1 more celstial, wider imagery, outside of the earth- stanza, ' sunlight' widening scope of imagery reflects a desperation in the speaker verb uses begin gentle , 'mix' ,'mingle' clasp and kiss language reflects the speaker's growing frustration and a sense of urgency The rhyme scheme - a combination of masculine and feminine rhyme 'river and ever' - masc. ocean and emotion- fem. these alternating lines of feminine and masculine rhyme mingles together just like the speaker would like himself and his lover to mingle together The rhyme scheme reflects the mingling of masc and fem deliberate choice of the poem
Semi colon argument linked just like nature is linked and him and his lover should be togetherall the same ? indicates her hesitation stops the natural way the poem is flowing and how things should be from the speaker's point of view
Natural imagery;Personification ' winds with sweet emotion' Human attributes Back up line of argument speaker wants to draw parallels with what is happening in nature and the relationship personification forces parallel over use shows desperation from the speaker it also shows the natural world giving, receiving and benefiting from love. Emphasizes how love itself is natural and necessary
Focuses on Attitude to Victorian women Often focused on morbid, twisted and psychological states Mental health was misunderstood at the time
It is suggested that Porphyria is of a higher class as it means the colour purple which represents royalty. Dramatic monologue- style
Stanza 1 language to suggest he is a psychopathic lover The poet establishes the speakers mood before Porphyria arrives Personification of the weather, sullen, spiteful Pathetic fallacy - setting reflect mood paints the speaker as irrational the weather is aggressive, against him The imablance and paranoia in the speaker Dramatic shifts in language from negative to positive 'glides' - angelic, supernatural contrast the negativity which proceeds it poetic inversion - " When glided in Porphyria" focus on glided through poetic inversion irrational throughts of the speaker
" and, last, she sat down by my side" Last- surrounded by bracketing commas Punctuation emphasizes last, how the speaker is cross at the fact that he is last in her thoughtsLast- frustration of not being first in her list of priorities 'Looked up at her' -symbolises respect, as though he is frustrated at the fact that she is too powerful in their relationship, consumed
REverse in order of actions " and ,stooping, made my cheek lie there" He is obeying her, he is passive whilst she is active and dominant This is reversed once the speaker kills her " I propped her head up as before, / only,this time my shoulder bore " her actions have a profound effect on the speaker, he is too passive Attitude to women- The women begins to become dominant over the man He sees himself as weak due to his dependency on her
Objectify her ' little' Infantile tone and diminishes her importance After he kills his lover the change is from ' she' to 'it' - objectify, distances the speaker from his loved one, becoming his possession Ambiguity: Dramatic monologue- speaker (one voice) No other view point, hear the side of the story from a psychopathic speaker
Rhyme scheme almost entirely masculine rhyme - final syllable Male dominance over women, overpowering use of masculine rhyme Poem about male dominance over women, Precise and controlled rhyme scheme, tight control reflected through the speaker, Porphyria is controlled Enjambment: "Untied her hat and let the damp hair fall" - Lack of control, uncontrollable outbursts of a psychotic speaker sprawls through the speaker The whole poem is made of one long sprawling verse the speaker does not stop to comprehend, overwhelmed- the speaker himself shows a lack of control
Iambic tetrameter; The speaker employs an abnormal thought process Each line is shorter, breathless, overwhelming I listened with heart fit to break - breaks out of the iambic tetrameter, speaker loses control of emotions Unable to control
Porphyria as a name does not fit in with the iambic tetrameter as though the murderer cannot name his lover without losing control of the tight control he is attempting to maintain
Extra notes:- BY killing her, the narrator makes Porphyria completely passive. She is also passive during her murder- perhaps the narrator chose not to report any struggle, as to him it was a perfect moment.- ' And yet God has not said a word!'- The speaker either believes that he has had a lucky escape, or that he hasn't committed a sin. He justifies his actions and builds an argument to himself. He reflects on his actions by interpreting her thoughts.
Petrarchan sonnet Did not use Shakespearean sonnet form Relate more/ more appropriate for her love Old form of love poetry- love is timeless
'out broad leaves' - slips out of iambic pentameter- suggets how powerful and intense her thoughts are love is overwhelming- loses control, bot only herself but poetic form breaks rule of sonnet- form of perfect love refuses to follow form perfectly and it will not be until the two are together unable to use the form correctly- intensity of feeling overpower
Sexual- conceit - metaphor which appears throughout the entirety of a poem Conceit is that of the poet's thoughts being greenery the imagery of nature represents love (flourishing, alive) spiritual and sexual love Love is consuming expression of powerful love vine- wrap around a tree intertwines grows out of control, explores intense and uncontrollable passion 'my thoughts do twine and bud about thee, as wild vines, about a tree' - twine is used as a verb, to interweave, interlocking 'wild' uncontrollable passion Suffocated by her thoughts sensual imagery
Spiritual - 'my thoughts do twine and bud about thee, as wild vines, about a tree'Trees, branches, vine - biblical connotations, imagery Spiritual correctness, strong like between the poem and the bible religious references, 'thee' used by the poet almost 200 years later, used just like the Petrachan form, notion that their love is timelessUse of word- reinforces notion that her love is sacred, expresses intimacy
Victorian Women- How does it present women? - 'conceit' - someways presents women as weak, vine is weak and needs stability to grow against something, man is the solid tree, not in a strong light, dependent on men - Conceit- alternative interpretation , wooden trunk re imagines the sex act, reversal of roles. women engulfs the man, female empowerment - sonnets were epitome of appropriate for women to write, loving and expressing sentience of love, dependence on a man
FORM- This sonnet is loosely written in the Petrarchan form, with 8 lines (an octave) followed by six lines ( a sestet). The ocatve usually presents concerns and questioning , and the sestet provides a solution, however a solution is reached in the middle of line 7 - the fact that it is early and in the middle of a line, emphasizes her impatience to see her lover. ' Who art dearer, better!' - caesura creates a volta, as her thoughts deviate Nature 'wild vines, about a tree' - (refer to conceit) emphasized by the internal rhyme of 'thee' and ' tree' Her thoughts are constantly growing and unrestrained 'Tree' needs his strong physicality to be grounded Her thoughts suffocate the reality, she has an altered perception Excited language- - '!'- the poet takes joy in thinking about her lover and a sensse of excitement at the prospect of being with him - plosive sounds, 'burst' , and dynamic verbs emphasize how much she wants to be with her lover structure- (ending) teh transition from the problem to solution reflects the difference between thinking about her lover and by being with him. This is emphasized by the reversal of the first and last lines, ' I think of thee', ' i do not think of thee'. This repetition creates a cyclical ending and a need to draw him closer to him.
Neutral - indifferent- no strong feature Whilst this matches the thoughts of the woman, they differ for the speaker Nature looks on uninterested as to what is happening Nature is indifferent, unmoved and uninvolved Hardy challenges the convention of romantic poetry which gloried nature as being highly significant Setting changes as the speaker's memory of it changes 'grey'- neutral, lack of emotion Nature is uninvolved Winter has harsh and relentless conditions- metaphor for the final season of a relationship sun is white- colourless, monochrome colour scheme description is visual, lack of colour in landscape like lack of emotion in relationship
The poet wants to forget the experience but cannot The form of the poem is a historical form of poetry from past just as the speaker is unable to stop looking back and escape the past
The structure is cyclical No sense of closure The setting remains the same Cyclical structure in rhyme scheme Verses The first line rhyms with the last in each stanza, signifying that there is no escape or sense of closure Chidden- not commonly used word at the time - deliberate use - outdated, reflect how the speaker is equally stuck in the past ' The deadest thing alive' - oxymoron reflects how the relationship, contrasting words, contrast with lovers The lack of colour represents the nature's indifference but the speaker is not neutral (angry, frustrated because stuck in inescapable, emotional turmoil Repetition of 'and' - Reflects an angry outburst, unable to control his emotions, reflect frustration negative poem about the destructive power of relationships
General message -Conflict between Eastern and Western culture - Dramatic monologue -Could be his parallel life - what his life was supposed to be - Represents lots of young Indian people ( connected to Indian family but brought up in England) - By reading in between the lines it can be inferred that there is a battle between the romantic love and the expectations of parents/ culture/ work - Conflict between love and other commitmentsPoem Form -The dramatic monologue form allows us to explore -appropriate form- as the shoppers views are not important to the speaker all he cares is his love for his wife therefore his is the only voice heard in the poemWork structure '9- 9' repetitive monotonous nature of the speaker's job dull and repetitive Long traditional Indian work ethic, whereas the known phrase is 9 to 5 ( this breaks the known conventions and shows the divide between cultures)Father 1st two lines about his relationship with his father 'daddy' -love and affection child to parent, satirical attack on the way the father addresses the speaker as though he's still a child It is made apparent that the wife mocks the speaker's father. This highlights the tension between the clash of the two cultures The speaker justifies his wife's behaviour as he is so possessive and infatuated by her ( proud of her)Example of clash (Wife) tartan sari - culture clash sari- traditional Indian clothing tartan - associated with Scotland this clash is symbolized by image both cultures are loved by the speaker, balancng the two
UK culture 'at di beaches ov di UK in di Brightey moon'- Positive, romantic atmosphere constant conflict between love for england and love for Indian culture 'brightey' similar to blighty The love between both cultures but the tension between the two 'blighty' used to describe Britain or England
Phonetic spelling mirror the Indian accent just by reading in the phonetic way there is a musicality in the language the title -punthe accent sounds like musical Love for Indian culture is displayed through the phonetic sounds
Main relation ship explored - husband and wifeBalance The start of the poem, it either focuses on one topic; work or language alternating structure reflects the 2 things pulling at the speaker's attention torn between his wife and work separate stanza shows that the 2 cannot be focuses on together at the same time stanzas 5,6,7, all begin with 'my bride' the repetition reflects how the speaker become obsessed with his wife and avoids mentioning his work the structure reflects the pull between teh two with prood of the relationship winning the battle as the poem progresses
Song qualities Rhyme makes the poem sound like a song refrain - chorus fun quality with reflects the positive love 'hey singh, where yoo been?' monotonous nature of running the shop +Rhyme Half rhyme and full rhyme ground and mouse vowel sound is the same sound the consonant sound is half rhyme the half rhyme relfects the moment (it is not full or complete which shows how their relationship is not complete when they r not together the husband is downstairs but thinking about his wife upstairs full rhyme 'cool' and 'stool' the vowel is the same but so is the consonant Describes the moemnt when the customers are gone the husband and wife complete each other when together just like the rhyme is fully completed
Professional failure is also a cultural failureStructure - Does not follow a regular structure as they are not following a set culture -The end is more serious ( rhyme (song-likeness) disappears) and sets a serious tone -The structure is highly repetitive, creating a sense of closeness between the speakers.Final verse In this final stanza we see just how much the narrator values his bride. This offers a nice contrast to the rest of the poem as the comedy is kept to a minimum in thee final part of the poem offering an insight into the multi-faceted world of love.
Nature- Metaphor for Britain's industrialization, in which nature has been shunned due to a greater use in mass machinery Perhaps Mew is presenting women's greater link to nature compared to men who seek to trap or destroy nature The animals seem to be at one with the bride but the farmer animals describe bride
Perspective- Written from the male point of viewUses the voice to present her thoughts, Critics male dominance The wife has no voice Shows an imbalance in society, in his voice shows fault through the farmer Imbalance is also reflected through the varying lengths of the lines Dominant male society that do not give her a name, possession of her husband
Nature 'three summers since i chose a maid' season of summer, warm and vibrant The seasons reflect the relationship sudden change 'like the shut of a winter's day' quick change like the weather winter, negative and cold connotations decaying relationship As though he views his wife as a commodity, ' i chose' His possession suggests that marriage is male dominated, free labourer rather than wife she follows animals animals do not follow a set structure, freedom of choice, act instinctively- runs away from husband, like an animal she acts based on 'flight or fight' rather than bowing down to society' Harsh, backward dialogue, seems for wise for being silent does not want to conform 'they' - plural group, society notice her difference, 'we' - the villages believe this act is normal Introspective woman- close affinity to animals, which is seen as negative Fears men, ' not near, not near!" her eyes beseach' Suggestions as to why she is afraid of men, non communicative Other women adopt position as subservient wife, someone being different, not as society dictates, rather than a woman who dislikes her husband, symbol Appears as complete madness, silence reflects women not having a voice in the society at the time, emphasizes the lack of voice ' out 'mong the sheep, her be' he plays to societies dictation, pre-determined role 'wild'- unspoilt, either madness or refers to nature but what to me?- possession, not benefited, abrupt, analyses her physical language, no compliment towards her character Dark, wintery imagery Decaying in nature, foreshadows relationshio Final stanza - repetition, short sentences- anger, break down alone, poor maid- alone suggests sympathy frustrated stair between, physically not large distance but metaphorically huge Suggestion that (rapid punctuation) decaying, symbolically on different levels ' tis but a stair betweist us she is above him, symbolically the farmer is just the voice but the woman has taken the upper hand. She has remained true to herself. Attic- something he would like to keep but does not necessarily us her '!'- highlights element of surprise Walked up the stairs and has discovered that she has died, found a corpse extreme emotion, structure- unusual indedntation represents imbalance ins oceity ambiguous - ill treatment of 'insane' people,
Structure- written in tercets Enjambment- difficulty reaing broken and fractured structure reflects the fact that the relationship is being broken and fractrued in some ways Caesura- me, his separates pronouns, causes pause distance reflects the distance and pause between the two in relationship not just physical but relational distance not flowing, free verse- lack of cohesion lack of unity between the two Internal rhyme half- rhyne problematic nature of relationship not full as relationship os not full or perfect end stanza light and night full rhyme optimism that the two are more unfied - there is a move to positivity he to you- growing closeness
knuckles singing -personification reflects the joy and positivity in the relationship positive terms for man her own actions are described in a much more negative way appears to feel negative towards her own life ending of the poem -ambiguous closeness between the two that was not evident at the beginning 'icy'- the speaker likes their relationship
The Poet: Born 1955 Scottish poet Poet Laureate Raised roman catholic Born in Glasgow
REflecting on photographs of her mother's childhood Thinking about the life her mother had before she was born Context: Religious expectations , 'mass' + historical expectations that being a woman after having a child would mean that going out days were over. Sinister theme about the inevitability of the role of a woman fate a woman is destined to have
Title- misleading, appears to be about a love poem from one lover to another strong idea that the daughter is possessive over her mother perhaps hypothetically talking to her mother image reminds her of the famous marilyn monroe image there is imagery associated with youthful promise- movie, dreamy the images of youthful promise contrast the later images of domestic duty that take away the freedom
Form: dramatic monologue? conventions - poem where someone speaks to someone else but the person is silent -fictional direct address, rhetorical question the speaker is telling something and the reader reads between the lines of what the speak is trying not to openly state we learn about how domineering and controlling the daughter is
structure tightly controlled 4 verses of 5 lines repetitive nature of the structure mirrors the inevitability of future life the inevitable repetitive structure of a woman's role in society to have all hopes and dreams and aspiration dashed by what is forced over them or the structure reflects the tight control that the daughter has over the mother the poem begins on a pavement, and ends on a different pavement the poem is cyclical which is reinforced by the title of the poem the title is the last 4 words of the poem, so the title and last words tie together to present a cyclical nature the cyclical nature of existence- a theme of fate, impossible to escape what is predetermined critique of the fated role of women caesura: the poem flows nicely as a whole but the caesura , 'before i was born' ultimately the speaker says that she is to blame and is at fault for her mother's loss of freedom.
language 'whose small bites on ur neck weetheart?' role reversal rhetorical q. - in many ways the child takes on the role of the parent. 'relics' -could be that they are so alien that they are like a museum piece, metaphorical fossil -something valuable, values her mother -'clear as scent' only simile synaesthesia- deliberate blending of senses blends sight with smell strong memories relate to senses idea that memories are related to sensery imagery remembers strongly
reflects the tough times of the relationship optimistic ending
structure mostly written in verses of 3 lines- tercets 3 line stanzas about a couple- unbalanced within relationship uneven line lengths- feeling of disjointment, broken nature of relationship, distance between couple the final stanza is a couplet- optimistic different to the rest of the poem all the negative content of the poem is written in tercets a couplet- represents the lovers imagery natural imagery teh negative aspects of the relationship are presented through pathetic fallacy " the clouds had given their all-2 days of rain" the weather reflects their personification -the clouds have purposely attacked the couple (down trodden) winter is harsh cold and unforgiving- state of relationship 'waterlogged earth gulping for breath'- the relationship is overwhelmingly filled to bursting point, filled with hatred swans signify the start of positivity 'white'-purity and positivity 'porcelain'- valued and treasured iceberg- firm foundations of the couple, shift from negative to positive natural imagery
enjambment- two days of rain and then a break in which we walked the actual break reflects the break in the weather the forced beak in the poem also reflects the breaking point in the relationship 'a show of tipping in unison'- looking at the natural world and considering about what is possibel in the human relationship 'they halved themselves in the dark water'- halving, rich image that suggests they must halve themselves and give themselves to each otherr. only together is there unity the woman is the only speech- the first dialogue reflects how she is reaching out to make the relationship work and metaphorically begins the stillign of the water swans have a commitment and are united which has a positive influence on the couple 'swum the distance between us' - influence of the birds has been positive as they mirror the actions of the swans the poets use of rhyme reflect the 2 distinct stages of the relationship 1/2 rhyme- half but not full, deliberate use of partial rhyme, the relationship is problematic, not full rhyme as the relationships is not full or perfect ' 'sands', 'hands' - still not full but an improvement, rhymes more showing progress in the relationship fuller just like the relationship the use of rhyme moving towards a fuller rhyme, shows how the relationship is improving ends on a full stop -storm has ended and relationship is on the mend
-born in 1939 -generational farming family -early poetry- childhood experience, identity and rural life
context: ploughing -digs up the soil in straight lines for crops THeme -changing nature of a parental relationship structure -ordered -tightly ordered structure reflects the tightly ordered nature of ploughing -tight structure- skill of the father, the poet admires and respects his dad for this -the tight neat structure is challenged -the verse about the boy is not so neat (irregularity and half rhyme) changing nature of the parental relationship is reflected on the changing verse matters stanza 4,5,6, start with 'I' as there is a shift in the focus from the father to the boy change in nature of relationship Rhyme: father: full rhyme, 'round', 'ground' boy: half rhyme, 'wake', 'back' the half rhyme always describes the boy and reflects how he is unable to match the perfection of the boy (clumsiness) Form: 6 stanzas- each 4 lines -almost completely in iambic tetrameter (line of 8 syllables with alternate unstressed unstressed) - quickens the pace, breathless tone mirrors literal act of ploughing which occurs throughout poem PUNCTUATION Enjambment 'with a single pluck of reins just as the father has got to the end of the line with ploughing, the poetry mirrors this the turn between the lines is both literal and methaphorical the structure device reflects the skill
'an expert.' stop and reflect on what has been said, a sense of finality, no debate on the matter (admiration) caesura
END title -follower young Seamus follows his father on a metaphorical level as he idolises his fatehr and follows in his footsteps towards end of poem- title is repeated yet the meaning has changed over the course of poem the final line- the father who follows his child the change in relationship
Language sailing images: "wake and sail" literal the skilled ploughing is visibly similar to the smooth motion of the waves metaphorical; highly skilled role of the father (managing a plough is similar to managing a ship) he is everything to the boy, he is the ship and the captain sailing through the soil majestic images stand in stark contrast to the boy
-born in 1963 - Poetry is accessible and and contemporary, but full of rich language and imagery
message: Literal - the speaker is talking to his mum as he is moving house Metaphorical- growing independence , covering the changing nature of parent-child relationships *captures the disjointed and unstable moment in the child parent relationship of moving out and finding an identity
Form: sonnet (loosely) There are normally fifteen lines but here there are fourteen( short last line) the final line is short and is deliberately placed as an extra thought to emphasize - the octave presents the problem (mother is needed, but is holding them back -the sestet presents the solution the nature of their relationship is still changing. Structure: no fixed rhyme scheme, varying line lengths (everything varies and is uncontrollable, unpredictable new stage, no formulaic pattern the final line breaks the sonnet form forced an unnatural rhyme emphasizes that the child may or may not succeed in this independent life. the speaker is aware that they need to 'flee' the nest PUNCTUATION enjambment- 'us. anchor. kite'- deliberately emphasized through the use of the fullstop language/ structure analysis- an anchor holds something in place and secure/ safe. although a kite has the freedom of moving in the air it is still secured to the ground. brings stability but hold you in one place-being held back
LANGUAGE 'acre'- deliberate emphasis, hyperbole childish frames of reference 'spam'- childish imagery (reminder of childhood) could be worrying evidence that the narrator is not mature enough reminds the mother of the past that they two shared together as the speaker moves further away the physical difference symbolises the growing relational distance growing the mum holds one end, the tape is presented as an umbilical cord, essential connection to life metaphor at the zero end- the moemnt of the womb for the baby, the zero end of life 'spacewalk'- space exploration (connected to life giving chord, connects to life to access base. exploring unchartered territory, excited but there is also a risk independence and the future
bird imagery , 'hatch' literal level: the door into the loft lexical field of birds- instigates the imagery of the bird flying the nest for various time the bird spends a lot of the time in the nest there comes a point that the chick has to jump out and fall to the floor. it has one second to understand what to do and fly his is a risk, there is only one shot the speaker acknowledges the seriousness of the situation shown by the blunt final line
extended metaphor- mountains have positive and negative attributes steady, reliable and admirable- all positive attributes respect and awe that speaker has ends with positive image- reinforces fact that it is a positive poem STRUCTURE -one long stanza/ single verse of 27 lines =supports idea of imposing mountain, as well as continuous nature of speaker's 'climb' unbroken reflects solidity and stability (maintained connection between speaker and gfather reinforces the fact that grandfather is like a mountain little pausing throughout poem - continuous action of climb (perhaps a pause would indicate a loss of connection) -extended metaphor FORM narrative verse written in present tense, yet focuses on past and a recollection of past memories suggests importance of memories. LANGUAGE lexical field of climbing shows adult intelligent speaker- sophistication of vocab specialist field speaker now as an adult speaker discovers truth Double meaning is used throughout, balancing literal meaning of a young child describing each aspect of gfather, and also metaphorical depth " I decide to do it free"- carries double meaning : speaker is free climbing and also describes becoming an adult. =this decision embolden poet and also emphasize complexity of the climbing task "I rest for a while"- does not want to look down (aware of dangers of climbing) + gfather is also setting a high standard by which to compare himself =gson wants to mirror family success "pupil"- refers to literal eye + likening himself to a student with much to learn. =gson aspires to be like gfather and emulate the admirable figure Begins with "trying" ends with "knowing" definitive lang much more infomed PUNCTUATION Caesura, break and causes reader to reflect "altitude, reaching for the summit"- breathlessness of climb (going the extra mile) Pauses in between words- urges reader to consider their own memories, yet indicating that it is too late for the speaker Enjambment reflects change in direction (speaker) "the nails"- emphasized, refers to breathless climb and literal analysis of gfather's nails END final line is simple: "slow pulse of his good heart" monosyllabic slows down pace- reflects slow heartbeat of grandfather strenuous activity is finished poem acts as discovery, further uncovers and acknowledges after his gfather's death Waterhouse journeys through the poem to understand his gfather better, yet there is a sense sadness that he appears to recognise his "good heart" too late motion of climbing, higher up a mountain the better understanding of landscape, which mirrors how the more he climbs the greater his knowledge is of his gfather.
Parent/ child-Follower/ Climbing my gfather sacrficial nature of parental love- before you were mine son changing- mother, any distance THEMES: protectivenes loss reflection
FORM: first person narration -personal experiences quintets-ordered and controlld reflects control father has over son STRUCTURE: rhyme scheme is consistent and tightly controlled- fathers wish to tightly control life of son first 2 stanzas-memory final 2 -memory that still pains him final 2 lines- conclusion PUNCTUATION: Enjambment- "away behind" - continues to a whole new stanza signifies shift in relationship (emphasizes great transition in relationship) caesura- creates pause in line "Behind a scatter of boys. I can see" separation between speaker as 'I' and the son's friends, who have taken priority in life narrator is physically in the background, shows how also mentally not the son's main focus strutural features which challenge control that father has reflect that father is losing control inner conflict of father Ending - speaker has learnt to accept lack of control message of poem is importance of letting go- reinforced by repetition of title
LANGUAGE use of enjambment between "satellite wrenched" signifies separation 'like a satellite ' : in a poem full of natural imagery the use of a man-made object shows how the speaker feels that it is a force man-made break , unnatural break
metaphors and imagery conflicting emotions of not wanting to let go but knowing its the right thing ' a sunny day with the leaves just turning' literal description of autumn turns to imagery of natre ( as well as physical transition in seasons) represents transition in sons life reflects loss and pain felt by speaker natural image- ordained by life itself 'touch lines new ruled' reflects how new boundaries and regulations are put in place in father/ son relationship 'half-fledged' father does not feel that son is ready natural imagery accepts that it is the natural thing to do
stanza 3 - begins to accept and adapt image of 'like a winged seed loosened' natural imagery softer verb loosened coming to terms destiend to fly away whereas satellite is not supoosed to leave orbit shift to acceptance
ENDING final stanza "God alone" religious imagery of sacrifice shows it is hard but correct sacred, morally right thing to do - speaker has learnt to accept lack of control message of poem is importance of letting go- reinforced by repetition of title
parent/child Imgines his parents both young again idyllic, peaceful scene narrator on opposite side of stream parents beckoning him to join him in afterlife speaker has secure and loving relationhsip with parents
structure: same amount of syllables steady and peaceful- reflects how speaker feels towards parents Form: regular structure reflects steady nature of speaker's relationship with parents -separated final line- empahasizes the narrator's current separation stable quatrains 5 stanzas
Structure use of rhyme 1/2 rhyme- rock and jack , straight and out suggetss that something is lacking incomplete speaker is not with parents (physical- stream, metaphroical- death) instabliltiy in half rhyme final 4 lines - parents beckon speaker perfect structure is broken gap is life itself (afterlife) disjointed structure symbolises how relationship is not perfect, not togetehr
Imagery Visual and nostalgic 'Eden Rock'- fictional setting biblical reference symbol of perfection of parent/child rleationship presents surreal vision of them angelic description of mother: "her hair, the colour of wheat, takes on the light" hair yellow but light is like halo colour imagery "white cloth" white is purity and goodness specific references towards " H.P sauce bottles" and "Thermos" exemplify how the memories are so specific speaker vividly remembers Nature plethora of natural imagery reflects love between parents and son PUNCTUATION: - "over the drifted stream." caesura emphasizes separation between speaker and parents -"leisurely,"- caesura displays slow pace, tranquil setting
Ending physical and metaphorical separation final line- ambiguity monosyllabic - 'I had not thought that it would be like this' deliberate use of childish language (tone of childlike simplicity) poet desires to be young and with parents again poet isolated
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