A mindmap analysing Sheenagh Pugh's poem 'Biology 3'. The nodes are placed clockwise from the start of the poem to the end. Each node contains a quote and a technique, and an annotation on the corner with the analysis/meaning. Part of the WJEC AS-level English Literature syllabus.
They use the issue of conservation for personal gain. they don't really wish for a better world. "fashion" makes it seem like conservation is the latest craze.
"spoke of conserving". Tech: Verb.
Nota:
Talking not acting, they only considered conserving but didn't follow through.
"(translation: let's not use
things up so fast)". Tech:
Noun.
Nota:
'lets not' = language choice saying that it's our choice to make as humans to use resources - which Pugh appears to disagree with. The quotes exposes the hypocrisy and lies of politicians.
"term: natural
resource". Tech:
Noun and scientific
language.
Nota:
This quotes conveys that the idea of the natural world being a resource is man-made. We assume it's there to provide for humans and for us to consume. In actuality, humans interpret nature in a way that benefits us.
"sheep, forests, phosphates,
the ocean". Tech: Listing.
Nota:
The quotes starts on something small and minor (sheep), then progresses to something expansive (the ocean). Perhaps this shows there are no bounds to human exploitation of the natural world.
"might be put
to use". Tech:
Verb phrase
and noun.
Nota:
'put to use' suggests humans give things their purpose and that we've chosen what they're good for.
":" "()". Tech: Punctuation.
Nota:
The punctuation used influences the structure by making it seem like a debate/argument.
2nd Stanza
"aesthetic argument". Tech: Adjective.
Nota:
Humans dress stuff up and focus on appearances. This links to "fashion" in the 1st stanza.
"so kill seals". Tech: 'kill' verb and
'so' conjunction/connective.
Nota:
This offhand discussion of murder conveys human brutality and heartlessness. We think that killing is a solution.
"say seals take fish: fish
are food for men". Tech:
Punctuation for
structure.
Nota:
Placing the colon in the middle of the line makes it seem like a weighed-up and logical argument - links to "so". Humans are being logical, not selfish.
"you see" "of course". Tech:
Direct address, link to title.
Nota:
These phrases directly address the reader. It's the persona of a teacher and the readers are the students. This links to the title 'Biology 3'.
3rd Stanza
"theft of time". Tech: Metaphor and ending.
Nota:
This ends the poem. Finality of death. We're taking the time of animals away from them.
"theft" tells the reader we're stealing, we're taking things that don't belong to use - the natural resources and the lives of animals.
"crime" and "time". Tech:
Full-rhyming couplet.
Nota:
This completes the poem. This being at the end links to destruction.
Both these words are from the semantic field of law/misdeeds/justice.
"committing such a crime".
Tech: Alliteration.
Nota:
Harsh alliteration of 'c' sound. This conveys Pugh's attitude that the exploitation of animals and the natural world is wrong.