null
US
Sign In
Sign Up for Free
Sign Up
We have detected that Javascript is not enabled in your browser. The dynamic nature of our site means that Javascript must be enabled to function properly. Please read our
terms and conditions
for more information.
Next up
Copy and Edit
You need to log in to complete this action!
Register for Free
2393493
The Yellow Palm - Robert Minhinnick
Description
In depth analysis of Robert Minhinnick's poem The Yellow Palm from conflict section of English Literature anthology Moon on the Tides. Information on structure, language, form, techniques, imagery, comparisons included.
No tags specified
conflict poem
the yellow palm
yellow palm
robert minhinnick
english
gcse
gcse english
moon on the tides
english literature
anthology
gcse
english
a-level
Mind Map by
Jessica Phillips
, updated more than 1 year ago
More
Less
Created by
Jessica Phillips
over 9 years ago
220
7
0
Resource summary
The Yellow Palm - Robert Minhinnick
Attachments:
Mametz Wood - Owen Sheers
Belfast Confetti - Ciaran Carson
next to of course god america i - E.E.Cummings
Extract from Out of the Blue - Simon Armitage
Futility - Wilfred Owen
Poppies - Jane Weir
Flag - John Agard
Subject and Themes
Poem is about an unknown conflict
Conflict is not overt in the poem
Annotations:
Overt - obvious, open
Past/present/future?
Title
The yellow palm is a date-producing palm tree
The leaves, bark and fruit are used for a variety of helpful purposes
Shade
Food
Positive image
Contrasts with context
Form and Structure
Written in form of a ballad
Strong rhythm and rhyme scheme
Song like quality
Contrast with the context
Six stanzas
The second, forth and sixth line of each stanza rhymes or has a half rhyme
Language
Imagery
Religious connotations
'to watch the faithful there'
Muslims going to pray
'the muezzin's eyes'
Official who calls the faithful to prayer at mosque
'blessed it with a smile'
Missile - mile - smile
Weapon has become a smile
Negative into positive
Makes the missile appear harmless
Child doesn't know it's a threat
'were wild with his despair'
Mosque should be peaceful
Links religion to violence
The different senses are used throughout
'I heard the call'
'I smelled the wide Tigris'
Annotations:
Tigris is a river that flows through Baghdad.
'I pressed my hands'
'I watched a funeral pass'
War connotations
'I met two blind beggars...and their salutes were those of the Imperial Guard'
Annotations:
Imperial Guard were a unit of largely volenteers who served Hussein
Contrast
Soldiers - smart, order, power
Beggars - scruffy, have nothing, no power
Suggests that the soldiers have become beggars
Saluted like soldiers
Makes them sound sinister, violent
'Mother of all wars'
Hussein's description of the first Gulf War in 1990
Annotations:
Saddam Hussein was the president of Iraq, 1979-2003
'had breathed a poison gas'
Victim of war
Ending
Last stanza is positive
Ends on a positive note rather than dwelling on the conflict
Suggests that life will continue on
Poetic Techniques
Repetition
'As I made my way down Palestine Street'
Annotations:
Palestine Street is a major street in Baghdad, which is the capital of the Republic of Iraq.
Repeated throughout the poem in the first line of each stanza
Enjambment
No punctuation at the end of lines
Makes the poem flow quickly/erratically
Adds to the song like quality
Alliteration
'all sweeter than salaams'
Annotations:
Salaams is an Arabic greeting meaning peace.
Positive image
Adds to the song like quality
Personification
'down on my head fell the barbarian sun that knows no armistice'
'armistice'
Annotations:
An armistice is a truce. People at war agree to stop fighting.
Links back into war
Violent, wild, strong
Negative image
Contrast/juxtaposition with optimist image given in same stanza
'the river smell lifts the air'
'the river smell that lifts the air'
clears the air
as moves away from conflict
Positive image
Comparison
Belfast Confetti
Positive images created by title
Conflict is expressed in a way that doesn't make it obvious
Show full summary
Hide full summary
Want to create your own
Mind Maps
for
free
with GoConqr?
Learn more
.
Similar
Using GoConqr to study English literature
Sarah Egan
Animal Farm Chapter Overview
10jgorman
New English Literature GCSE
Sarah Egan
To Kill A Mockingbird GCSE English
naomisargent
How does Shakespeare present villainy in Macbeth?
maxine.canvin
To Kill a Mockingbird -Analysis of Major Characters
sungiemarie
Of Mice and Men Section Overview
10jgorman
Hardy's Key Themes
lucysands1
An Inspector Calls- Quotes
ae14bh12
Language Techniques
Anna Wolski
Romeo & Juliet Quotes
Lucy Hodgson
Browse Library