Nettles by Vernon Scannell

This poem explores the impulse for a parent to protect a child, using whatever means necessary. The emotive language used to present the child and the violence of the father's response suggests a powerful instinct has been provoked
Nettles is about the protection offered to a young child by a father
Nettles is written from the perspective of the father. Brief observations are used to communicate the tenderness and love of the parental relationship with a child.
The child is presented using emotive language, reflective of the compassion and sympathy the speaker feels for his injured son:"White blisters beaded on his tender skin". The alliteration using the "b" sound suggests the swelling, painful injuries and the child's skin is "tender",a strong contrast to the description of the nettles.
The father takes revenge in his strong desire to protect his son and punish those who injured him.
1. He explains the process of dealing with the nettles in a very careful, calculating manner
2. "I took my hook and honed the blade" then he "slashed in fury"

Resource summary

	Created by soph.winter11 almost 11 years ago