The following is a link to a fairly useful Study Guide:
http://www.gradesaver.com/an-inspector-calls/study-guide/
Use it alongside your own notes.
Wednesday 21 March 2012
Thursday 15 March 2012
Important Information- The Literature Exam
The exam will focus on key Assessment Objectives. Below is a list of questions and the assessment objectives for each section. Below each question is an indication of how you might answer the question/ things you might include.
An Inspector Calls is Section A
Of Mice and Men is in Section B
An Inspector Calls is Section A
Of Mice and Men is in Section B
Literature Exam Outline
Skills targeted in Section A
AO1
Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and
evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations.
AO2
Explain how language, structure and form contribute to
writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings.
Skills targeted in Section B
AO1
Respond to texts critically and imaginatively; select and
evaluate relevant textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations.
AO2
Explain how language, structure and form contribute to
writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings.
AO4
Relate texts to their social, cultural and historical
contexts; explain how texts have been influential and significant to self and
other readers in different contexts and at different times.
Section A Questions and things you might include
Arthur
Birling
says, ‘If we were all responsible for everything that happened to everybody
we’d had
anything to do with, it would be very awkward, wouldn’t it?’
How does
Priestley present ideas about responsibility in An Inspector Calls?
AO1
May refer to Birling’s quote and thus his
attitude to responsibility – and other characters’ attitudes to responsibility
and how they are different.
The Inspector’s attitude to
responsibility – ‘each of you helped to kill her’ – and his final speech to a
wider audience – ‘millions and millions of Eva Smiths...’
Socialist views about responsibility –
collective responsibility – everyone in society linked.
Ideas about the play as a warning about
how we should be responsible for our actions.
AO2
The words ‘responsible’ and ‘responsibility’
are used by most characters in the play – comment on some examples ‘fire
and blood and anguish’ – significance of the choice of these words.
The use of stage directions to reveal the
characters’ reactions to what the Inspector has to say about how they treated
Eva Smith.
How Priestley creates a sense of
self-satisfied smugness about the Birling family, where and how they live –
thus little sense of their need to move outside the family and think of others
[except Sheila/Eric].
How
do you respond to Gerald in An Inspector Calls? How does
Priestley make you respond
as you do by the ways he writes?
AO1
Aristocrat – ideas about class system –
essentially engaged to
someone ‘beneath’
him
Not as willing as Sheila to admit his
guilt – at first pretends he never knew Daisy Renton – link with Mr Birling?
Seems to have some genuine feelings for
Daisy Renton
In Act 3, Gerald tries to come up with as
much evidence as possible to prove the Inspector is a fake – wants to protect
himself rather than change himself.
Which generation does he ‘fit’ most
readily with?
AO2
Regular references to Gerald’s
‘disappearance’ the previous
summer makes
the audience wonder about him.
References to any stage directions which
reveal Gerald’s attitudes / feelings.
How Priestley creates a sense of
self-satisfaction in Gerald when he thinks ‘Everything’s all right now’.
Presentation as an ‘easy, well-bred young
man-about town’.
Sunday 4 March 2012
Notes on An Inspector Calls
- Antithesis: opposition, contrast, the antithesis of right and wrong. The direct opposite (usually followed by 'of' or 'to')
- In An Inspector Calls, Birling is the antithesis of Priestley's views. Priestly follows the Labour Party and Birling was a Capitalist.
- Also the Inspector is the antithesis of Birling. We can already gather that upon the arrival of the Inspector, Birling has suddenly become quite hesitant due to the Inspector's calm and profound attitude towards duty.
- The Inspector is a mouthpiece for Priestley's philosophy, meaning that his views are shown through the Inspector and are used against Birling causing him to look idiotic with the use of dramatic irony.
- In the play a protagonist and antagonist are presented. The protagonist is the Inspector, meaning that he the main character and is most perceived to be a hero as is a more prominent figure in the play. The antagonist (which is the complete opposite of protagonist) is Birling, he is lost as a character when under pressure, certain exploits about his business are forced and excessive references to successful people seem pointless.
- When the family are explaining their knowledge on the case, the Inspector repeats back to them. This makes what they say seem idiotic and ambiguous. Although this is not for all characters, Sheila and Eric represent youth and show hope.
- By the Inspector continuously reminding the family of the situation of the crime, arguments are provoked and tension builds.
Friday 2 March 2012
The Play So Far
The Play So Far
by Sally Abel
:)
- J.B Priestly was a famous play writer born in 1894. Much of his writing was ground-breaking and controversial - he included strong political views and often critised the Government. He was also concerned about social inequality in Britain.
- At the beginning of the play, Priestly presents a versimilitude of a traditional family celebrating an engagement. They are all very posh and well-spoken. The tone set is quite relaxed. We automatically get an impression of the characters from the stage directions at the beginning of Act 1.
- Birling is presented as quite arrogant and often gives long speeches, in which Priestly incorporates dramatic irony (putting the audience in a stronger position) when talking about how 'the Germans don't want war' and how the Titanic is 'absolutely unsinkable'. This makes Birling seems idiotic and the audience does not really value his views.
- The arrival of the Inspector conveys a feeling of mystery to the audience and possibly worry. His arrival is unexpected and should slightly startle the audience.
- The Inspector is described as someone who can make 'an impression of massiveness' just from walking into a room. Even though he means well and is just doing his job, people may still be wary of him and his superior knowledge.
- At first, Birling seems welcoming to the inspector - offering him a seat and some port. The Inspector is quite cold with him and Birling soon gets frustrated and impatient with him and his mysteriousness. Birling does not like how the Inspector controls the conversation and is knowledgable about something he is not.
by Sally Abel
:)
Tuesday 28 February 2012
Friday 24 February 2012
Thursday 9 February 2012
Compare the way two of the poems use language to convey emotions
A variety of emotions are presented throughout the relationships section of the Anthology. It is conveyed as something that can affect a relationship, whether that be for better or worse. Emotions also imply connections to the author giving the poem a more secluded meaning and allowing the reader to uncover a story of their own.
Certain emotions are shown in the occasional poem, 'Born Yesterday', Philip Larkin, named one of the best post-war poets in 2008, tells the story of a girl named Sally Amis, displaying the nascent stages of her life. As there is simplistic language used throughout the poem most readers will not notice many deep emotions conveyed from this poem. However, the meaning behind this poem is quite despairing, within the first line care is shown, "I have wished you something", this phrase shows a unique style of care for someone. This also shows that the speaker has great admiration for this newborn baby. The first two stanzas express natural, deep and genuine emotions for Sally. Larkin uses the idea of a promise and with the use of enjambment to keep the mellifluous tone to the poem. These all signify positive emotions.
Nevertheless the tone and mood of the poem changes with the use of the conjunction, 'but'. Now, the poem conveys spite, this presentes a juxtaposition between the two emotions, care and spite. Spitefulness is firstly shown with the use of the adjective within the phrase, "May you be ordinary". The adjective, 'ordinary' devalues the feelings that he had for her in the first two stanzas of the poem. This shows two oxymoronic phrases as the first line of the poem shows a unique feeling for someone and line 12 contradicts that and refers to her as ordinary. The acerbic tone continues with the repetition of the adverb, 'not' to describe her appearance, it also distinguishes any feature of her appearence. The idea of someone being normal and ordinary continues to show, "In fact may you be dull", this connotes harsh, pessimistic feelings towards her. Following after that line, the poem ends with a cluster of fast paced adjectives, 'vigilant, flexible, unemphasised and enthralled'. These all broaden the meaning of a dull sense of realism.
Similar to Born Yesterday, To His Coy Mistress begins with implying genuine love for someone and using hyperbole expressions, it enhances the passion that the speaker had for his lover. Instead of relating to the future in Born Yesterday, To His Coy Mistress focuses more on physical attributes, "Two hundred to adore each breast", this conveys a flattering, romantic tone to the poem. Also To His Coy Mistress uses enjambment to add a mellifluous effect to the poem, same to Born Yesterday, both these poems show a significant juxtaposition, the conjunction, 'but' is evidence for this. It instantly changes the mood in both poems which has an effect on the language. For example, "The grave's a fine and private place, But none, I think, do there embrace", in this example there is an acerbic sarcastic feel. The last rhyming couplet, "Thus, though we cannot make our sun. Stand still, yet we will make him run". this summaries the impatience and reluctance shown in the poem.
In conclusion both these poems display a divide of emotion, from positive to negative. In my opinion, the meaning behind To His Coy Mistress is more acerbic and goes into much finer detail about the negatives in comparison to Born Yesterday, in result conveying deeper emotion. To expand on this, the meaning beyond Born Yesterday, Sally Amis lived a wild lifestyle due to drinking. The speaker wished a healthy, better lifestyle for her. Sadly she died at the age of 42, adding to the sorrow of the poem and noticing that the first two stanzas reflected the past and the last two stanzas unraveled the drastic present that she was living.
Luke Murray
Certain emotions are shown in the occasional poem, 'Born Yesterday', Philip Larkin, named one of the best post-war poets in 2008, tells the story of a girl named Sally Amis, displaying the nascent stages of her life. As there is simplistic language used throughout the poem most readers will not notice many deep emotions conveyed from this poem. However, the meaning behind this poem is quite despairing, within the first line care is shown, "I have wished you something", this phrase shows a unique style of care for someone. This also shows that the speaker has great admiration for this newborn baby. The first two stanzas express natural, deep and genuine emotions for Sally. Larkin uses the idea of a promise and with the use of enjambment to keep the mellifluous tone to the poem. These all signify positive emotions.
Nevertheless the tone and mood of the poem changes with the use of the conjunction, 'but'. Now, the poem conveys spite, this presentes a juxtaposition between the two emotions, care and spite. Spitefulness is firstly shown with the use of the adjective within the phrase, "May you be ordinary". The adjective, 'ordinary' devalues the feelings that he had for her in the first two stanzas of the poem. This shows two oxymoronic phrases as the first line of the poem shows a unique feeling for someone and line 12 contradicts that and refers to her as ordinary. The acerbic tone continues with the repetition of the adverb, 'not' to describe her appearance, it also distinguishes any feature of her appearence. The idea of someone being normal and ordinary continues to show, "In fact may you be dull", this connotes harsh, pessimistic feelings towards her. Following after that line, the poem ends with a cluster of fast paced adjectives, 'vigilant, flexible, unemphasised and enthralled'. These all broaden the meaning of a dull sense of realism.
Similar to Born Yesterday, To His Coy Mistress begins with implying genuine love for someone and using hyperbole expressions, it enhances the passion that the speaker had for his lover. Instead of relating to the future in Born Yesterday, To His Coy Mistress focuses more on physical attributes, "Two hundred to adore each breast", this conveys a flattering, romantic tone to the poem. Also To His Coy Mistress uses enjambment to add a mellifluous effect to the poem, same to Born Yesterday, both these poems show a significant juxtaposition, the conjunction, 'but' is evidence for this. It instantly changes the mood in both poems which has an effect on the language. For example, "The grave's a fine and private place, But none, I think, do there embrace", in this example there is an acerbic sarcastic feel. The last rhyming couplet, "Thus, though we cannot make our sun. Stand still, yet we will make him run". this summaries the impatience and reluctance shown in the poem.
In conclusion both these poems display a divide of emotion, from positive to negative. In my opinion, the meaning behind To His Coy Mistress is more acerbic and goes into much finer detail about the negatives in comparison to Born Yesterday, in result conveying deeper emotion. To expand on this, the meaning beyond Born Yesterday, Sally Amis lived a wild lifestyle due to drinking. The speaker wished a healthy, better lifestyle for her. Sadly she died at the age of 42, adding to the sorrow of the poem and noticing that the first two stanzas reflected the past and the last two stanzas unraveled the drastic present that she was living.
Luke Murray
Sister Maude - Christina Georgina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti lived 64 years 1830 - 1894 and was born in London, in the Victorian period.
The values the Victorian upheld were those like married before you had kids and your family had to approve of your marriage and the fact. Rossetti wrote a range of children poems and some very strong feminism poems.
The poem is written through the perspective of the person having the love affair, and she kept it secret from her mother and father, but her sister told her parents about it; the betrayal.
Theres a sense of betrayal, anger, jealousy between two sisters. There is also sense of mystery between a murder/death. It's a secret love affair.there is use of rhetorical questions in line 2.
Also in lines 1 and 2, the write repeats 'who told my..' which has a sarcastic reading of an obvious knowledge. There's an idea of shame, as in she's not ashamed of her relationship but her family would shame her if they knew.
In line 3, the syntax is unusual as the removal of sister in the first part of the line makes it more shocking that a family member would betray you.
'lurked' is used in line 4 to emphasise her sister's jealousy. 'Spy and 'Peer' give a sense of sympathy towards the writer as she is being spied on by her own sister.
The writer is abusive and harsh against her sister and her lover.
In lines 5 and 6 there is use of similie and alliteration 'clotted curls', 'cold as stone'.
there is a contradiction between 'Clotted,' and 'Curls'.
In line 7, 'comeliest' is used as a superlative and then 'corpse', this is use of binary opposite.
Line 7 and 8 suggest that he is the most attractive man in the world and she will never find anyone else like that. there is a juxtaposition because comeliest and corpse.
'You might have spared his soul, sister,
Have spared my soul, your own soul too'
There is use of repetition to emphasise that she shouldn't have done it
Though i had not been born at all,
he'd never have looked at you'
Theres a real sense of jealousy on her sisters behalf here and the fact that Maude done it out of spite.
In the fourth stanza it suggests that Maude will be plagued by hell and death as she 'shall get no sleep'
and in the fifth stanza it suggests that her mother and father will be ok as they have done nothing wrong so they shall wear a golden gown and her mother will win a crown.
She also thinks her sins may be be forgivable as she suspects that if her and her lover went to heavens gate they might let her in, but then says 'bide you with death and sin' targeted at her sister, this emphasises the betrayal. The use of sibilance is prominent here is the repetition of 'sister,' this has a religious connotation and the language reflects a snake-like sound with reflects on the original sin where the snake, in the garden of Eden, betrayed Eve. there is also a sense that she is cursing her sister.
Could be compared to sonnet 43 as it starts with a rhetorical, you could link them by the religious aspects.
Also could compare to Brother about the family relationships as growing apart.
Could compare to sonnet 16, you link these through the presentation of love, 'love is eternal'.
Both sonnets are about intense love where this is about intense hatred.
The values the Victorian upheld were those like married before you had kids and your family had to approve of your marriage and the fact. Rossetti wrote a range of children poems and some very strong feminism poems.
The poem is written through the perspective of the person having the love affair, and she kept it secret from her mother and father, but her sister told her parents about it; the betrayal.
Theres a sense of betrayal, anger, jealousy between two sisters. There is also sense of mystery between a murder/death. It's a secret love affair.there is use of rhetorical questions in line 2.
Also in lines 1 and 2, the write repeats 'who told my..' which has a sarcastic reading of an obvious knowledge. There's an idea of shame, as in she's not ashamed of her relationship but her family would shame her if they knew.
In line 3, the syntax is unusual as the removal of sister in the first part of the line makes it more shocking that a family member would betray you.
'lurked' is used in line 4 to emphasise her sister's jealousy. 'Spy and 'Peer' give a sense of sympathy towards the writer as she is being spied on by her own sister.
The writer is abusive and harsh against her sister and her lover.
In lines 5 and 6 there is use of similie and alliteration 'clotted curls', 'cold as stone'.
there is a contradiction between 'Clotted,' and 'Curls'.
In line 7, 'comeliest' is used as a superlative and then 'corpse', this is use of binary opposite.
Line 7 and 8 suggest that he is the most attractive man in the world and she will never find anyone else like that. there is a juxtaposition because comeliest and corpse.
'You might have spared his soul, sister,
Have spared my soul, your own soul too'
There is use of repetition to emphasise that she shouldn't have done it
Though i had not been born at all,
he'd never have looked at you'
Theres a real sense of jealousy on her sisters behalf here and the fact that Maude done it out of spite.
In the fourth stanza it suggests that Maude will be plagued by hell and death as she 'shall get no sleep'
and in the fifth stanza it suggests that her mother and father will be ok as they have done nothing wrong so they shall wear a golden gown and her mother will win a crown.
She also thinks her sins may be be forgivable as she suspects that if her and her lover went to heavens gate they might let her in, but then says 'bide you with death and sin' targeted at her sister, this emphasises the betrayal. The use of sibilance is prominent here is the repetition of 'sister,' this has a religious connotation and the language reflects a snake-like sound with reflects on the original sin where the snake, in the garden of Eden, betrayed Eve. there is also a sense that she is cursing her sister.
Could be compared to sonnet 43 as it starts with a rhetorical, you could link them by the religious aspects.
Also could compare to Brother about the family relationships as growing apart.
Could compare to sonnet 16, you link these through the presentation of love, 'love is eternal'.
Both sonnets are about intense love where this is about intense hatred.
Tuesday 7 February 2012
'Compare the way 2 of the poems use language to convey emotions.' - Partial answer.
Different types of emotions are conveyed throughout the relationships section in the anthology. It is something that can be focused on throughout to emphasise the feeling of a moment, a significant event or to express how the writer sees different things. Emotion is used in the poem 'Quickdraw' to emphasise the female speakers feelings of betrayal, hurt and to show how scared she is to lose something precious to her. In 'Brothers', emotion is used to show a sibling relationship and how the early stages of resentment, can have a profound effect later on in life.
Quickdraw uses a lot of enforced breaks in the first three stanzas: this gives an erratic pace like an argument. This is conveyed at the start of the seconds and third stanza mostly.
In the third stanza, through the female speaker, Carol Ann Duffy portrays an emotion of despair, epitomised by the 'Last chance saloon'. This is a metaphor for the couple arguing and are at breaking point, their last chance. The last chance saloon is a bar in America: it's name reveals it's literal meaning.
The use of words with reference to old western, reinforces the fact that she feels wounded and hurt by the things that are suggestively spoken by the other person she is argueing with. this is prtrayed in sentences such as, 'your vocie, a pellet' - 'you choose your spot then blast me'.
Practice Literature Question
Compare the way two of the poems use language to convey emotions:
'The Farmers Bride' by Charlotte Mew and 'The Manhunt' by Simon Armitage both express cold emotions. Although the subject of each poem is different, comparisons are very clear.
'The Farmers Bride' portrays emotion through a relationship. The continuous imagery suggests the farmer and his wife have reached breaking point in their marriage. Line six and seven of the poem use simile and metaphor to put emphasis on the brides emotions using words such as 'her smile went out' and 'the shut of a winters day' comparing her to negative things.
The linguistic techniques are clear in this poem making the insecurities between the couple very real and exaggerated. The use of personification and alliteration at the end of the first stanza make the stanza appear very cold with a sense of no genuine love or heart. This is effective as an opening as it's very bold and striking which immediately catches your attention.
One of the main feelings you gain towards their relationship through the poem it that it is rushed and that the early, initial stages of their relationship were fast and forced. This is suggested by the unpredictable lexis and irregular syntax. The pace of the poem and the unusual way in which it is written reflects the brides behaviour with a dramatic tone.
Through the very male dominated poem, we can gather a sense of what the farmer is like in their relationship. Having this knowledge puts the perspective onto their emotions towards/for each other. There is no sense of belonging, romance or lust, only senses of coldness and insecurity that suggests that they are not emotionally attached to each other and not in harmony with each other. It appears that they're scared to embark on a real relationship and that their relationship is shadowed by thoughts of fear.
The very archaic and basic language puts across a heavy sense of awkwardness between them with a feeling that they don't understand each other, they're not in sync with each other. The semantic field of hunt midway through the poem reflects some of the brides feelings of her husband and we get an insight into what does make her happy.
The constant animal and nature references give us an understanding that she feels happy, content and safe when she is close to animals, nature and the outdoors. The animal imagery reflects her feelings of escapism and freedom in contrast with the feelings she holds for her husband.
'The Manhunt' presents cold emotion in another way. Although the poem still features a relationship, the coldness comes from war and military. The poem features the connection between war and conflict and a woman that's husband has left to fight. With 'The Manhunt', we can ascertain the coldness before we start reading as we know it's about war whereas with 'The Farmers Bride', we gather the cold emotions as we are reading through and understanding the poem. With that poem we gain a sense of sympathy but with 'The Manhunt', we instead gain a sense of admiration.
'The Manhunt' carries the past and the metaphor in the first stanza references to this. The rigid structure reflects the careful operations of the soldiers at war.
'The Farmers Bride' by Charlotte Mew and 'The Manhunt' by Simon Armitage both express cold emotions. Although the subject of each poem is different, comparisons are very clear.
'The Farmers Bride' portrays emotion through a relationship. The continuous imagery suggests the farmer and his wife have reached breaking point in their marriage. Line six and seven of the poem use simile and metaphor to put emphasis on the brides emotions using words such as 'her smile went out' and 'the shut of a winters day' comparing her to negative things.
The linguistic techniques are clear in this poem making the insecurities between the couple very real and exaggerated. The use of personification and alliteration at the end of the first stanza make the stanza appear very cold with a sense of no genuine love or heart. This is effective as an opening as it's very bold and striking which immediately catches your attention.
One of the main feelings you gain towards their relationship through the poem it that it is rushed and that the early, initial stages of their relationship were fast and forced. This is suggested by the unpredictable lexis and irregular syntax. The pace of the poem and the unusual way in which it is written reflects the brides behaviour with a dramatic tone.
Through the very male dominated poem, we can gather a sense of what the farmer is like in their relationship. Having this knowledge puts the perspective onto their emotions towards/for each other. There is no sense of belonging, romance or lust, only senses of coldness and insecurity that suggests that they are not emotionally attached to each other and not in harmony with each other. It appears that they're scared to embark on a real relationship and that their relationship is shadowed by thoughts of fear.
The very archaic and basic language puts across a heavy sense of awkwardness between them with a feeling that they don't understand each other, they're not in sync with each other. The semantic field of hunt midway through the poem reflects some of the brides feelings of her husband and we get an insight into what does make her happy.
The constant animal and nature references give us an understanding that she feels happy, content and safe when she is close to animals, nature and the outdoors. The animal imagery reflects her feelings of escapism and freedom in contrast with the feelings she holds for her husband.
'The Manhunt' presents cold emotion in another way. Although the poem still features a relationship, the coldness comes from war and military. The poem features the connection between war and conflict and a woman that's husband has left to fight. With 'The Manhunt', we can ascertain the coldness before we start reading as we know it's about war whereas with 'The Farmers Bride', we gather the cold emotions as we are reading through and understanding the poem. With that poem we gain a sense of sympathy but with 'The Manhunt', we instead gain a sense of admiration.
'The Manhunt' carries the past and the metaphor in the first stanza references to this. The rigid structure reflects the careful operations of the soldiers at war.
Nettles, Vernon Scannell
Nettles by Vernon Scannell.
Nettles is initally about parental love and a family relationship. There is a feeling of war and revenge with links to the military. The boy featured within the poem is a metaphor for the army and there is an extended metaphor of bad memories. There is a sense of protection throughout this poem and on the 11th and 12th lines, the nettles references could be replaced with soldier references.
The openning states the specific age of the boy similar to Harmonium. There is a juxtaposition between the nettles and his son. There is a very matter of fact discription which is similar to Born Yesterday. The poem explores the connotations of the word 'bed' and 'bed of nettles' which emphasises the nettles. The word 'spears' has a double meaning of weapon and flower stalk.
Personification of the nettles is used on line 3 and the regiment reference features military, archaic language. There is a sense that they are in a very sinister place and that they are hiding. There is a stark contrast with what we associate a bed with and what the bed represents in this poem. There is a shift in language as the poet removes the phrase 'my son' with the less personal article 'the boy'.
Plosive alliteration is used on line 6 and the white and tender skin mentioned relates to innocence and purity. There is a suggestion that two people are involved with the other person being a partner or mum. There is a very regular rhythm to the poem and there is a sense of pain and that can't be completely taken away from the son.
Metaphor is used to emphasise his devastation and up until this point, the nettles have been presented like they are an army themselves. He has helped his son through the devastation but there is an idea that he is preparing an attack by getting his blade ready. He sharpens the blade and the use of the conjunction 'and' is used in repition to show routine and precision to what he is doing.
The word 'slashed' uses sibilence, verb and onomatopeia to speed up the sound and to emphasise the feeling of action. There is also a sense that the father takes pride and is proud. He presents his personified enemy as very hard to beat and organised. There is a precision to what he does with military references throughout.
Personification of nature is used around line 14 and there is an idea that he can't stop his battle against nature. The end of the poem looks at a man's struggle with nature and there is a literal meaning of the poem that his son will get stung again by the nettles. There is also a sense of emotional hurt and that life is an endless battle.
There is a narrative tone to the poem with a moral tone that links with war, the military language suggests this. There is a big contrast between the physical and emotional sufferings within the poem and we get a sense of loss of power. The use of enjambment reflects the pace of battles and emotions. It also helps the poem to sound like a story.
There is continous war imagery and the ideas of anger, revenge and fustration are presented. This poem can be compared to Brothers because of the family relations and responsibility and The Manhunt because of the links to war and the care for a loved one. The use of natural imagery can be compared to Praise Song For My Mother and Born Yesterday compares due to the young child.
Nettles is initally about parental love and a family relationship. There is a feeling of war and revenge with links to the military. The boy featured within the poem is a metaphor for the army and there is an extended metaphor of bad memories. There is a sense of protection throughout this poem and on the 11th and 12th lines, the nettles references could be replaced with soldier references.
The openning states the specific age of the boy similar to Harmonium. There is a juxtaposition between the nettles and his son. There is a very matter of fact discription which is similar to Born Yesterday. The poem explores the connotations of the word 'bed' and 'bed of nettles' which emphasises the nettles. The word 'spears' has a double meaning of weapon and flower stalk.
Personification of the nettles is used on line 3 and the regiment reference features military, archaic language. There is a sense that they are in a very sinister place and that they are hiding. There is a stark contrast with what we associate a bed with and what the bed represents in this poem. There is a shift in language as the poet removes the phrase 'my son' with the less personal article 'the boy'.
Plosive alliteration is used on line 6 and the white and tender skin mentioned relates to innocence and purity. There is a suggestion that two people are involved with the other person being a partner or mum. There is a very regular rhythm to the poem and there is a sense of pain and that can't be completely taken away from the son.
Metaphor is used to emphasise his devastation and up until this point, the nettles have been presented like they are an army themselves. He has helped his son through the devastation but there is an idea that he is preparing an attack by getting his blade ready. He sharpens the blade and the use of the conjunction 'and' is used in repition to show routine and precision to what he is doing.
The word 'slashed' uses sibilence, verb and onomatopeia to speed up the sound and to emphasise the feeling of action. There is also a sense that the father takes pride and is proud. He presents his personified enemy as very hard to beat and organised. There is a precision to what he does with military references throughout.
Personification of nature is used around line 14 and there is an idea that he can't stop his battle against nature. The end of the poem looks at a man's struggle with nature and there is a literal meaning of the poem that his son will get stung again by the nettles. There is also a sense of emotional hurt and that life is an endless battle.
There is a narrative tone to the poem with a moral tone that links with war, the military language suggests this. There is a big contrast between the physical and emotional sufferings within the poem and we get a sense of loss of power. The use of enjambment reflects the pace of battles and emotions. It also helps the poem to sound like a story.
There is continous war imagery and the ideas of anger, revenge and fustration are presented. This poem can be compared to Brothers because of the family relations and responsibility and The Manhunt because of the links to war and the care for a loved one. The use of natural imagery can be compared to Praise Song For My Mother and Born Yesterday compares due to the young child.
Thursday 26 January 2012
Born Yesterday, Philip Larkin
The poem isn't just based on aesthetics or looks, it has a deeper meaning.
The poem is for a specific person, Sally Amis, which contrasts to many of the poems which are just about general beauty. It is written for his friends daughter, Kingsley Amis.
It has a sentimental tone to the poem and Larkin was named the best post war writer, but recieved the award after death.
The poem is about what it takes to be happy and isn't just about the way you look.
'Tightly folded bud' is a metaphor for the youth. The child is in the nascent stages of life.
'I wished you something, none of the others would' other parents wish different things for their children, mainly about being beautiful.
'Not the usual stuff
About being beautiful,
Or running of a spring
Of innocence and love-' quite unromantic language and down to earth. The language down plays the significance of looks. The use of enjambment makes the list flow. The word 'spring' signifies the start of life, it also uses natural and pure imagery. There is a sense of realism and is quite dismissive of the importance of beauty and innocence.
As you get older looks become less important.
'They will all wish you that' this shows a sense of difference between everyone and shows an older view on love of generally being happy and not just for the beauty.
'And should it prove possible' this phrase shows a sense of doubt towards the poem.
'Well, your a lucky girl' quite a chatty tone. The use of the conjunction 'but' splits the poem and introduces his second line of arguement.
'But if it shouldn't, then
May you be ordinary;' quite insulting.
'Have, like other women,
An average of talents:' you don't want to have to many talents. Also quite sexist. Not as much pressure for boys to feel beautiful. The words ' average' and 'ordinary' are mediocre words to describe the girl.
'Not ugly, not good-looking,
Nothing uncustomary Aliterative repetition on the letter 'N'. Nothing special or unique about her.
To pull you off your balance,
That, unworkable itself,
Stops all the rest from working' if you have all the good talents nothing else will be noticed as you will be the same as everyone else. Conversational tone.
'In fact, may you be dull-
If that is what a skilled,
Vigilant, flexible,
Unemphasised, enthralled
Catching of happiness is called' uses five adjectives in quick succession to show that happiness isn't easy to get. The language structure suggests happiness is difficult to catch, and the last line and the second to last line rhyme. The last three last contrast to the conversational tone of the poem.
This type of poem is an occasional piece. He subverts the fairytale idea of wishing for new and exciting things and instead wishes for useful talents and a genuine happiness.
The poem is written in normal spoken English, which makes the poem more realistic. The poem starts off with an ironic tone and at times cynical and sceptical and he contrasts an extraordinary event, like having a child, with ordinary language and has a sense of tenderness and realism.
Would be good to compare with sonnet 116 as they are both about genuine love. A less obvious link would be To His Coy Mistress, because the structure changes, also the start looks at a wishful side. They both look at peoples values being unrealistic.
The poem is for a specific person, Sally Amis, which contrasts to many of the poems which are just about general beauty. It is written for his friends daughter, Kingsley Amis.
It has a sentimental tone to the poem and Larkin was named the best post war writer, but recieved the award after death.
The poem is about what it takes to be happy and isn't just about the way you look.
'Tightly folded bud' is a metaphor for the youth. The child is in the nascent stages of life.
'I wished you something, none of the others would' other parents wish different things for their children, mainly about being beautiful.
'Not the usual stuff
About being beautiful,
Or running of a spring
Of innocence and love-' quite unromantic language and down to earth. The language down plays the significance of looks. The use of enjambment makes the list flow. The word 'spring' signifies the start of life, it also uses natural and pure imagery. There is a sense of realism and is quite dismissive of the importance of beauty and innocence.
As you get older looks become less important.
'They will all wish you that' this shows a sense of difference between everyone and shows an older view on love of generally being happy and not just for the beauty.
'And should it prove possible' this phrase shows a sense of doubt towards the poem.
'Well, your a lucky girl' quite a chatty tone. The use of the conjunction 'but' splits the poem and introduces his second line of arguement.
'But if it shouldn't, then
May you be ordinary;' quite insulting.
'Have, like other women,
An average of talents:' you don't want to have to many talents. Also quite sexist. Not as much pressure for boys to feel beautiful. The words ' average' and 'ordinary' are mediocre words to describe the girl.
'Not ugly, not good-looking,
Nothing uncustomary Aliterative repetition on the letter 'N'. Nothing special or unique about her.
To pull you off your balance,
That, unworkable itself,
Stops all the rest from working' if you have all the good talents nothing else will be noticed as you will be the same as everyone else. Conversational tone.
'In fact, may you be dull-
If that is what a skilled,
Vigilant, flexible,
Unemphasised, enthralled
Catching of happiness is called' uses five adjectives in quick succession to show that happiness isn't easy to get. The language structure suggests happiness is difficult to catch, and the last line and the second to last line rhyme. The last three last contrast to the conversational tone of the poem.
This type of poem is an occasional piece. He subverts the fairytale idea of wishing for new and exciting things and instead wishes for useful talents and a genuine happiness.
The poem is written in normal spoken English, which makes the poem more realistic. The poem starts off with an ironic tone and at times cynical and sceptical and he contrasts an extraordinary event, like having a child, with ordinary language and has a sense of tenderness and realism.
Would be good to compare with sonnet 116 as they are both about genuine love. A less obvious link would be To His Coy Mistress, because the structure changes, also the start looks at a wishful side. They both look at peoples values being unrealistic.
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Useful Revision Link Videos
Below is a link to a channel on YouTube. There is useful information on the poems and Of Mice and Men.
All of the work has been done by another teacher and students at a different school. A lot of what is on here is useful.
Use it to support your revision and make notes on things you think will be useful to support your analysis...
http://www.youtube.com/user/mrbruff/videos
Tuesday 24 January 2012
The Farmer's Bride, Charlotte Mew
The Farmer's Bride by Charlotte Mew.
This poem is about a rushed marriage with the sense of a forced marriage. The poet never achieved much success although acclaim from other successful poets. She spent most of her life in poverty.
The two subjects in this poem are the farmer and his wife. The speaker throughout the poem is the farmer. The first three lines suggest that the farmer was too busy with farming to spend time with his wife. The view of this poem and the look towards women is old fashioned and the syntax is unusual due to the dialect. There is a rhyming couplet at the end of every stanza apart from the last stanza.
There is a sense that the marriage depresses her and we learn that the farmer's wife is androphobic. Line 6 suggests the farmer's wife is cold and the use of linguistic techniques such as personification and metaphor suggest that she is like a frightened fairy and not happy with her life. Non-standard english is used to bring the farmer's personality to life and the incorrect language refelects the farmer's accent.
Line 10 suggests that the farmer's wife is out on her own and that the farmer has lost control of her.
The idea of sheep and animals is extended and there is a sense that she is afraid of falling asleep and that she is a fearful person. Metaphorically, the farmer's wife feels trapped and is being hunted. The mention of church and religion promts a Catholic reading re-inforcing the fact that divorce is frowned upon. Divorce appears as not an option and that the farmer will keep her.
You can physically see the wife's fear and she is not emotionally attached to her husband. There is a big semantic field of hunt and capture due to the sinister tone of the lines 18 and 19. Society has strong sexual views and there is a reading that she is scared to be the 'wife' of the time and have sexual relations. The wife does the housework which makes the male perspective of the poem clear. There is continuous animal imagery but she does complete part of her womanly roles.
Her timid nature comes through with her reluctance to have sex. The language used in this poem is very basic as it reflects the speaker's personal dialect and voice. This suggests that the farmer is unintelligent. Line 25 suggests the idea of begging or pleading with imagery. The wife could be seen as anti-social to the point of being depressed and she is withdrawn of general conversation. The reader feels a sense of sympathy towards the wife.
The farm animals trust the wife which suggests a sense of jealousy from the farmer. There is also no communication between the couple and a sense of awkwardness is presented. This poem is masculinely driven and there is a clear male undertone. The wife gains a sense of escapism and freedom with the animals that she aspires to have with her husband. Line 30 engages the reader by the use of similie and rhetorical question. Time is also presented in this poem with the poem going through the seasons. The time of their marriage is personified by the time of seasons passing.
The trees in Autumn lose their beauty which presents the idea that the farmer's wife is losing her appearence and beauty. The use of dark imagery suggests the marriage is breaking down and the reference to magpies on line 37 suggests that their marriage holds lots of bad luck.
The following reference to Christmas sparks positive thoughts although the poem suggests Christmas is a lonely time for the couple and that they just want to be alone. Christmas won't be as good because she is with the farmer.
The farmer's wife is compared to a 'maid' and the use of enjambent emphasises his frustrations. The farmer is aware of her physical presence which suggets a sense of fustration and insanity. There is a violent tone to the end of the poem and a sense that he has lost control. There is an irregular rhythm to the last stanza which reflects his behaviour and emotions. His connection to his wife is only physical and nothing deeper. You could also argue that he is longing for her.
There is a sense of exasperation from the farmer and that positionally he is there taking what he wants.
The Farmer's Bride coud be compared to 'In Paris With You', 'To His Coy Mistress' and 'Hour'.
This poem is about a rushed marriage with the sense of a forced marriage. The poet never achieved much success although acclaim from other successful poets. She spent most of her life in poverty.
The two subjects in this poem are the farmer and his wife. The speaker throughout the poem is the farmer. The first three lines suggest that the farmer was too busy with farming to spend time with his wife. The view of this poem and the look towards women is old fashioned and the syntax is unusual due to the dialect. There is a rhyming couplet at the end of every stanza apart from the last stanza.
There is a sense that the marriage depresses her and we learn that the farmer's wife is androphobic. Line 6 suggests the farmer's wife is cold and the use of linguistic techniques such as personification and metaphor suggest that she is like a frightened fairy and not happy with her life. Non-standard english is used to bring the farmer's personality to life and the incorrect language refelects the farmer's accent.
Line 10 suggests that the farmer's wife is out on her own and that the farmer has lost control of her.
The idea of sheep and animals is extended and there is a sense that she is afraid of falling asleep and that she is a fearful person. Metaphorically, the farmer's wife feels trapped and is being hunted. The mention of church and religion promts a Catholic reading re-inforcing the fact that divorce is frowned upon. Divorce appears as not an option and that the farmer will keep her.
You can physically see the wife's fear and she is not emotionally attached to her husband. There is a big semantic field of hunt and capture due to the sinister tone of the lines 18 and 19. Society has strong sexual views and there is a reading that she is scared to be the 'wife' of the time and have sexual relations. The wife does the housework which makes the male perspective of the poem clear. There is continuous animal imagery but she does complete part of her womanly roles.
Her timid nature comes through with her reluctance to have sex. The language used in this poem is very basic as it reflects the speaker's personal dialect and voice. This suggests that the farmer is unintelligent. Line 25 suggests the idea of begging or pleading with imagery. The wife could be seen as anti-social to the point of being depressed and she is withdrawn of general conversation. The reader feels a sense of sympathy towards the wife.
The farm animals trust the wife which suggests a sense of jealousy from the farmer. There is also no communication between the couple and a sense of awkwardness is presented. This poem is masculinely driven and there is a clear male undertone. The wife gains a sense of escapism and freedom with the animals that she aspires to have with her husband. Line 30 engages the reader by the use of similie and rhetorical question. Time is also presented in this poem with the poem going through the seasons. The time of their marriage is personified by the time of seasons passing.
The trees in Autumn lose their beauty which presents the idea that the farmer's wife is losing her appearence and beauty. The use of dark imagery suggests the marriage is breaking down and the reference to magpies on line 37 suggests that their marriage holds lots of bad luck.
The following reference to Christmas sparks positive thoughts although the poem suggests Christmas is a lonely time for the couple and that they just want to be alone. Christmas won't be as good because she is with the farmer.
The farmer's wife is compared to a 'maid' and the use of enjambent emphasises his frustrations. The farmer is aware of her physical presence which suggets a sense of fustration and insanity. There is a violent tone to the end of the poem and a sense that he has lost control. There is an irregular rhythm to the last stanza which reflects his behaviour and emotions. His connection to his wife is only physical and nothing deeper. You could also argue that he is longing for her.
There is a sense of exasperation from the farmer and that positionally he is there taking what he wants.
The Farmer's Bride coud be compared to 'In Paris With You', 'To His Coy Mistress' and 'Hour'.
Thursday 19 January 2012
Sonnet 43, Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Barrett Browning was heavily influenced by her husband Robert Browning.
Love is mixed with religious imagery.
Starts with a rhetorical question, directly addresses the reader.
Her love is far reaching in 'depth' 'height'.
'Soul' suggests a spiritual love and gaining a sense of 'being' through her love.
She loves him 'freely' suggests she wants nothing in return.
Plosive alliteration 'passion put to use' and 'purely' and 'praise'.
Repetition of 'I love thee' emphasises her love and suggests it has several dimensions.
As a child she had religious faith and she loves him this purely.
The love spans across her life and into her death.
'And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.'
Religious overtone to the poem. Is her love for God? or for a male?
Could compare it to: Sonnet 166, In Paris With You, To His Coy Mistress.
Love is mixed with religious imagery.
Starts with a rhetorical question, directly addresses the reader.
Her love is far reaching in 'depth' 'height'.
'Soul' suggests a spiritual love and gaining a sense of 'being' through her love.
She loves him 'freely' suggests she wants nothing in return.
Plosive alliteration 'passion put to use' and 'purely' and 'praise'.
Repetition of 'I love thee' emphasises her love and suggests it has several dimensions.
As a child she had religious faith and she loves him this purely.
The love spans across her life and into her death.
'And if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.'
Religious overtone to the poem. Is her love for God? or for a male?
Could compare it to: Sonnet 166, In Paris With You, To His Coy Mistress.
Sonnet 116, William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and wrote a range of plays and poetry. And sonnets traditionally are about love.
This poem looks at eternal love and love is the most important thing and his love for the woman is real or genuine. The speaker argues that his love is true and won't change. He talks about constant love which won't be diminished through age or circumstance.
An impediment is something that stops something or holds it up. The word impediment is also used in traditional marriage services. The language here links to a wedding or marriage.
In the first three lines, love doesn't change in difficult circumstances. It is written in iambic pentameter (ten syllables per line) and is a sonnet.
The repetition of the word remove is an indication that the love is constant and doesn't change the way that appearances do. The first quatrain (four line verse) talks about the way love doesn't 'alter'.
The fifth line uses metaphor which compares love to the Pole Star which stays in the same place.
The love will stay constant even in 'tempests' (huge storms).
There is an extended metaphor with the use of the star. The stars height can be measured but its value cannot. This links to the idea that their love is immeasurable.
"love's not Time's fool" - Time is personified, this is similar to the poem 'hour'.
"though rosy lips and cheeks" - even when time takes away her looks, he will still love her.
A sickle is used as a reference to time.
Lines 11 and 12 suggests that his love will carry on eternally and will not change in weeks or hours.
Final couplet is saying that what he says is true and if it isn't true then he never wrote anything, even though the reader knows that Shakespeare wrote lots. Therefore his love is true!
This sonnet can be compared to;-
the poem 'Hour' because of its references to time.
'To His Coy Mistress' as an opposite.
This poem looks at eternal love and love is the most important thing and his love for the woman is real or genuine. The speaker argues that his love is true and won't change. He talks about constant love which won't be diminished through age or circumstance.
An impediment is something that stops something or holds it up. The word impediment is also used in traditional marriage services. The language here links to a wedding or marriage.
In the first three lines, love doesn't change in difficult circumstances. It is written in iambic pentameter (ten syllables per line) and is a sonnet.
The repetition of the word remove is an indication that the love is constant and doesn't change the way that appearances do. The first quatrain (four line verse) talks about the way love doesn't 'alter'.
The fifth line uses metaphor which compares love to the Pole Star which stays in the same place.
The love will stay constant even in 'tempests' (huge storms).
There is an extended metaphor with the use of the star. The stars height can be measured but its value cannot. This links to the idea that their love is immeasurable.
"love's not Time's fool" - Time is personified, this is similar to the poem 'hour'.
"though rosy lips and cheeks" - even when time takes away her looks, he will still love her.
A sickle is used as a reference to time.
Lines 11 and 12 suggests that his love will carry on eternally and will not change in weeks or hours.
Final couplet is saying that what he says is true and if it isn't true then he never wrote anything, even though the reader knows that Shakespeare wrote lots. Therefore his love is true!
This sonnet can be compared to;-
the poem 'Hour' because of its references to time.
'To His Coy Mistress' as an opposite.
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Harmonium, Simon Armitage
The narrator heads to church to pick up a church organ.
The class decided that it was the narrator and his father.The poem looks at how time has affected the organ and his father.
The poem is written in free verse and much of the language is unromantic. The effects of time are described through the damage to the organ.
The make of the harmonium and the place are given; this adds a sense of reality to the poem. Onomatopoeia is used when describing the sound of the harmonium.
The poem uses a pun and internal rhyme to show the father and his dark humour. Some of you suggested that the father may be ill; 'the dottled thumbs'.
The harmonium is personified. Humour is used but the poem is bleak; the father joke about his own death. There is a sense of awkwardness, the narrator doesn't respond to the 'joke'.
Repetition emphasises the passing of time.
Much of the poem uses ordinary language, therefore line 17 stands out.
The poem deals with family relationships; Nettles could be used for comparison.
The class decided that it was the narrator and his father.The poem looks at how time has affected the organ and his father.
The poem is written in free verse and much of the language is unromantic. The effects of time are described through the damage to the organ.
The make of the harmonium and the place are given; this adds a sense of reality to the poem. Onomatopoeia is used when describing the sound of the harmonium.
The poem uses a pun and internal rhyme to show the father and his dark humour. Some of you suggested that the father may be ill; 'the dottled thumbs'.
The harmonium is personified. Humour is used but the poem is bleak; the father joke about his own death. There is a sense of awkwardness, the narrator doesn't respond to the 'joke'.
Repetition emphasises the passing of time.
Much of the poem uses ordinary language, therefore line 17 stands out.
The poem deals with family relationships; Nettles could be used for comparison.
Ghazal, Mimi Khalvati
Mimi Khalvati was born in 1944 in Tehran, she later moved to study in London.
The poem uses the old form of poetry, a ghazal to declare feelings to a loved one. A ghazal is an ancient form of poetry which originates from the Middle East; they often express beauty and pains of love. The final word in each couplet is identical, and the last but one word in each stanza rhyme.
The stanzas traditionally don't have to be connected. The poem explores types of love from the 'iron fist', to the controlling 'snake charmer; to 'good friends' (an unusal end to a love poem).
There is sexual imagery in the poem and the use of metaphor is obvious, as is the reference to Cupid.
Note the reference to the 'serpent'.
We are given a range of images and ideas in quick succession. The use of natural imagery makes the poem seem timeless.
Intense love is presented, as is the pleasure of being in love.
The poem presents physical desire and could be compared to Hour and To His Coy Mistress.
The use of natural imagery links to The Famer's Bride and Nettles.
The poem uses the old form of poetry, a ghazal to declare feelings to a loved one. A ghazal is an ancient form of poetry which originates from the Middle East; they often express beauty and pains of love. The final word in each couplet is identical, and the last but one word in each stanza rhyme.
The stanzas traditionally don't have to be connected. The poem explores types of love from the 'iron fist', to the controlling 'snake charmer; to 'good friends' (an unusal end to a love poem).
There is sexual imagery in the poem and the use of metaphor is obvious, as is the reference to Cupid.
Note the reference to the 'serpent'.
We are given a range of images and ideas in quick succession. The use of natural imagery makes the poem seem timeless.
Intense love is presented, as is the pleasure of being in love.
The poem presents physical desire and could be compared to Hour and To His Coy Mistress.
The use of natural imagery links to The Famer's Bride and Nettles.
Quickdraw, Carol Ann Duffy
This poem is about a relationship that isn't so smooth. There is tension and excitement.
The uses modern technology (phones) and compares it to a gun fight. The narrator seems left hurt and wounded. The relationship seems reactionary and volatile. There is a contrast between old fashioned imagery and technology. In a way, the poem is a parody of an argument and a Western.
The poem has a loose structufe but is Full of enjambment, assonance, alliteration and internal rhyme; the poem has a tense feel to it.
There is a lot of cliched imagery from TV and cinema.
Lines 5 and 9 are split, to reflect the hurt she feels.
The poem expresses ideas about hurt, expectation and tension.
Could compare with: The Farmer's Bride, In Paris With You and, in a different way, The Manhunt.
The uses modern technology (phones) and compares it to a gun fight. The narrator seems left hurt and wounded. The relationship seems reactionary and volatile. There is a contrast between old fashioned imagery and technology. In a way, the poem is a parody of an argument and a Western.
The poem has a loose structufe but is Full of enjambment, assonance, alliteration and internal rhyme; the poem has a tense feel to it.
There is a lot of cliched imagery from TV and cinema.
Lines 5 and 9 are split, to reflect the hurt she feels.
The poem expresses ideas about hurt, expectation and tension.
Could compare with: The Farmer's Bride, In Paris With You and, in a different way, The Manhunt.
Hour, Carol Ann Duffy
Carol Ann Duffy was born in 1955 in Glasgow and became Poet Laureate in 2009.
The poem is about time and how it is short lived for lovers. Some of you suggested that due to the location and some of the language there is a hint that the love/ relationship takes place as an affair. Loosely reflects form of a sonnet (14 lines), which links it to famous love poetry.
Time is personified and the use of simile is evident in the first line. Time is love's enemy.
'For thousands of seconds' this emphasises the brief/ transient nature of their meetings. There is a variation in line length and rhythm patterns. The lover is addressed directly to the lover.
The use of enjambment brings about a pause that linguistically reflects the stopping of time when they are together.
Note the simple references and simple pleasures 'no jewel hold a candle to the cuckoo spit...'
Reference to Midas; things turn to gold, their love is seen in the brightest light. Some of you thought that this shows how no matter where they are, they are happy when together.
Sense of a fairy tale love. Joseph noticed that the last line 'spins gold...from straw' is reference to what Rumpelstiltskin does.
The poem presents ideas about time and money and love. This plays with ideas about the value of money and the value of each others company. They create something precious from something ordinary.
Good to compare with Sonnet 116 (time and love) or To His Coy Mistress.
The poem is about time and how it is short lived for lovers. Some of you suggested that due to the location and some of the language there is a hint that the love/ relationship takes place as an affair. Loosely reflects form of a sonnet (14 lines), which links it to famous love poetry.
Time is personified and the use of simile is evident in the first line. Time is love's enemy.
'For thousands of seconds' this emphasises the brief/ transient nature of their meetings. There is a variation in line length and rhythm patterns. The lover is addressed directly to the lover.
The use of enjambment brings about a pause that linguistically reflects the stopping of time when they are together.
Note the simple references and simple pleasures 'no jewel hold a candle to the cuckoo spit...'
Reference to Midas; things turn to gold, their love is seen in the brightest light. Some of you thought that this shows how no matter where they are, they are happy when together.
Sense of a fairy tale love. Joseph noticed that the last line 'spins gold...from straw' is reference to what Rumpelstiltskin does.
The poem presents ideas about time and money and love. This plays with ideas about the value of money and the value of each others company. They create something precious from something ordinary.
Good to compare with Sonnet 116 (time and love) or To His Coy Mistress.
The Manhunt, Simon Armitage
Simon Armitage was born in 1963 in West Yorkshire.
The poem is written from a female perspective and exposes the problems by post war depression. The damage continues after the war. Psychological effects are explored.
Written as the wife in first person.
Will picked up on the creation of a semantic field: the language used suggests she is searching for him and verbs such as 'scan' link her battle the lexis used in war.
Many of you picked up on the repetition of the word 'only', indicating that progress is slow.
His fragility is emphasised by her description of his 'porcelain collar-bone'.
The body is described using a variety of adjectives to indicate the damage. The damage is on two levels; physical and psychological.
The poem uses metaphor effectively and there is ambiguity at the end. She is able to 'come close' and possibly not get 'close'.
The wife is caring, sensitive and patient.
The poem would be good to compare with Nettles and the way people respond to the suffering of a loved one. It is also about love continuing in difficult times, which is like the ideal love of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116.
The poem is written from a female perspective and exposes the problems by post war depression. The damage continues after the war. Psychological effects are explored.
Written as the wife in first person.
Will picked up on the creation of a semantic field: the language used suggests she is searching for him and verbs such as 'scan' link her battle the lexis used in war.
Many of you picked up on the repetition of the word 'only', indicating that progress is slow.
His fragility is emphasised by her description of his 'porcelain collar-bone'.
The body is described using a variety of adjectives to indicate the damage. The damage is on two levels; physical and psychological.
The poem uses metaphor effectively and there is ambiguity at the end. She is able to 'come close' and possibly not get 'close'.
The wife is caring, sensitive and patient.
The poem would be good to compare with Nettles and the way people respond to the suffering of a loved one. It is also about love continuing in difficult times, which is like the ideal love of Shakespeare's Sonnet 116.
Praise Song For My Mother, Grace Nichols
Grace Nichols was born in Guyana in 1950 and moved to Britain in 1977. She is able to appreciate both cultures, and they are important to her.
The poem looks at different aspects of a mother/duaghter relationship. The mother is seen as the daughter's world. Mother is compared to or likened to as water, the moon, day and food: she is the necessities of her daughter's every day life. A few of you picked up on the fact that the elements are used to help describe her 'pull'. The moon pulls the tides; note the metaphor in this reference.
Several of you looked at the use of repetition of 'you were' and the word 'replenishing' and the fact that the poem is laden with feelings.
There is much more specific imagery used in the final stanza. There is a hint at emigration in the final line 'Go to your wide futures'.
The poem expresses joy and praise for her mother.
This would be good for comparision with Harmonium (parental relationships). Nettles looks at the relationship from a parental perspective.
The poem looks at different aspects of a mother/duaghter relationship. The mother is seen as the daughter's world. Mother is compared to or likened to as water, the moon, day and food: she is the necessities of her daughter's every day life. A few of you picked up on the fact that the elements are used to help describe her 'pull'. The moon pulls the tides; note the metaphor in this reference.
Several of you looked at the use of repetition of 'you were' and the word 'replenishing' and the fact that the poem is laden with feelings.
There is much more specific imagery used in the final stanza. There is a hint at emigration in the final line 'Go to your wide futures'.
The poem expresses joy and praise for her mother.
This would be good for comparision with Harmonium (parental relationships). Nettles looks at the relationship from a parental perspective.
Tuesday 17 January 2012
Brothers, Andrew Forster
Andrew forster, born in South Yorkshire. He is well known collection of poetry, Fear of Thunder, which was published in 2007.
The poem, Brothers is an anecdote from his childhood, but it can also be read as being about sibling relationships in general.
The childhood memory reflects on when him and his older brother are given the responsibility of looking after their younger brother for the afternoon. They are exasperated with him, but excited to be out on their own. They send their younger brother back to get his bus fare from their mother. However they use age as dominance over their younger brother and leave him behind. There is a contrast between how young they are and how old they feel at the time.
Alliteration is used to give a sense of contempt at the 'spouting six year old'.
This is a narrative poem addressed to the six year old in the poem, seemingly some years after the events they describe. The poem is written in free verse, making it seem more like a story being told in spoken English. The first stanza establishes the realtionship between the brothers. The second explains how the youngest had to go back and how the older two went on. Thw third stanza describes how the youngest got left behind, and hints at the impact this may have had. The distance can be seen as a metaphor.
Frustration, Guilt and Regret are expressed in the poem.
Could be compared to Sister Maude or looking back on childhood in Nettles.
The poem, Brothers is an anecdote from his childhood, but it can also be read as being about sibling relationships in general.
The childhood memory reflects on when him and his older brother are given the responsibility of looking after their younger brother for the afternoon. They are exasperated with him, but excited to be out on their own. They send their younger brother back to get his bus fare from their mother. However they use age as dominance over their younger brother and leave him behind. There is a contrast between how young they are and how old they feel at the time.
Alliteration is used to give a sense of contempt at the 'spouting six year old'.
This is a narrative poem addressed to the six year old in the poem, seemingly some years after the events they describe. The poem is written in free verse, making it seem more like a story being told in spoken English. The first stanza establishes the realtionship between the brothers. The second explains how the youngest had to go back and how the older two went on. Thw third stanza describes how the youngest got left behind, and hints at the impact this may have had. The distance can be seen as a metaphor.
Frustration, Guilt and Regret are expressed in the poem.
Could be compared to Sister Maude or looking back on childhood in Nettles.
In Paris With You, James Fenton
The poet was born in London and in 2007 was awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry.
The subject of the poem is getting over a break up and is in Paris with another woman. He seems dejected and at times bored, noticing cracks 'across the ceiling'. The title acts as a metonym, with the word 'Paris' replacing the word 'love' throughout the poem. The class discussed whether he truly loves the woman he is with and the fact that he feels a victim of love. He doesn't want to venture into the city.
The portmanteaux word 'maroonded' reflects the confusion of emotions. He also feels trapped.
He seems careless 'doing this and that, to what and whom'. There is a sense that he is dealing with his problems and loathes himself; 'learning what I am'.
The poem is made up of a repeating stanza pattern, with a very different third stanza which makes it stand out. The poem is structured in a song like way and uses repetition, and internal rhymes to emphasise the rhythm.
The poem is, at times humorous, containing contrived and unexpected rhyme. He repeats the word Paris, a beautiful city that is reduced to a grotty hotel room.
Good to compare with the anger expressed in Sister Maude and the sense of being hurt in Quickdraw. To His Coy Mistress could be used too.
The subject of the poem is getting over a break up and is in Paris with another woman. He seems dejected and at times bored, noticing cracks 'across the ceiling'. The title acts as a metonym, with the word 'Paris' replacing the word 'love' throughout the poem. The class discussed whether he truly loves the woman he is with and the fact that he feels a victim of love. He doesn't want to venture into the city.
The portmanteaux word 'maroonded' reflects the confusion of emotions. He also feels trapped.
He seems careless 'doing this and that, to what and whom'. There is a sense that he is dealing with his problems and loathes himself; 'learning what I am'.
The poem is made up of a repeating stanza pattern, with a very different third stanza which makes it stand out. The poem is structured in a song like way and uses repetition, and internal rhymes to emphasise the rhythm.
The poem is, at times humorous, containing contrived and unexpected rhyme. He repeats the word Paris, a beautiful city that is reduced to a grotty hotel room.
Good to compare with the anger expressed in Sister Maude and the sense of being hurt in Quickdraw. To His Coy Mistress could be used too.
To His Coy Mistress, Andrew Marvell
Andrew Marvell, born in Yorkshire and raised in Hull. He is a metaphysical poet (as discussed in class) and wrote about philosophical subjects, like life and soul. In this poem he recognises the transient nature of life, and tries to persuade his mistress to sleep with him.
Discussions in class came up with a range ideas about the poem.
There is a sense of impatience, urgency and reluctance (on the part of the woman).
Rory picked up on the fact that in the first stanza, the poem seems romantic, using lots of hyperbole about how the speaker could love the subject of the poem if time was infinite. Andy picked up on the reference to the Humber river, and Chris informed us that is is 'up North', and Marvell's local river...
The narrator uses a range of arguments to persuade the subject. Note the reference to The Old Testament (the Flood) and 'till the conversion of the Jews'; something that some believe will never happen, or when it does happen the world will end.
He exaggerates the time he would spend on flattery and tells her she is worth this 'rate' of love, if they had time.
The second stanza begins with the conjunction 'But', which clangs. He then introduces his more forceful argument. Note the metaphor from Greek Mythology and the contrast between life and death. He is then sarcastic about the lack of 'cuddles' she will be able to have in the grave; 'none...do there embrace.'
In the final stanza the repetition of the word 'now' ensures a sense of immediacy and serves as an imperative. The simile about the 'birds of prey' draws attention to his passion and desire.
Joseph picked up on the fact the language becomes more aggressive/voilent (verbs such as 'devour', 'tear', 'rough') and there is a sense of frustration.
The final couplet suggests they defiantly stand up to time.
Good for comparison with 'Sonnet 116' and 'Sonnet 43' as well as 'Hour' and 'In Paris With You'.
Discussions in class came up with a range ideas about the poem.
There is a sense of impatience, urgency and reluctance (on the part of the woman).
Rory picked up on the fact that in the first stanza, the poem seems romantic, using lots of hyperbole about how the speaker could love the subject of the poem if time was infinite. Andy picked up on the reference to the Humber river, and Chris informed us that is is 'up North', and Marvell's local river...
The narrator uses a range of arguments to persuade the subject. Note the reference to The Old Testament (the Flood) and 'till the conversion of the Jews'; something that some believe will never happen, or when it does happen the world will end.
He exaggerates the time he would spend on flattery and tells her she is worth this 'rate' of love, if they had time.
The second stanza begins with the conjunction 'But', which clangs. He then introduces his more forceful argument. Note the metaphor from Greek Mythology and the contrast between life and death. He is then sarcastic about the lack of 'cuddles' she will be able to have in the grave; 'none...do there embrace.'
In the final stanza the repetition of the word 'now' ensures a sense of immediacy and serves as an imperative. The simile about the 'birds of prey' draws attention to his passion and desire.
Joseph picked up on the fact the language becomes more aggressive/voilent (verbs such as 'devour', 'tear', 'rough') and there is a sense of frustration.
The final couplet suggests they defiantly stand up to time.
Good for comparison with 'Sonnet 116' and 'Sonnet 43' as well as 'Hour' and 'In Paris With You'.
The GCSE Exam
The Literature Exam for GCSE is made up of two papers:
Unit 1 Exploring Modern Texts, an example of which can be found here; http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/english/english-literature-materials.php?id=01
This is the Of Mice and Men and An Inspector Calls paper and lasts 1hour 30 minutes.
And...
Unit 2 Poetry Across Time, examples of which can be found here:
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/english/english-literature-materials.php?id=01
This is the Relationships poems and an unseen poem, the paper lasts 1hour 15 minutes.
In order to be successful in these exams you need to know all of the texts in detail. This does not mean you have seen the film or read the text in class. You should know detailed information about characters, events, themes and symbols. You should also know quotations and where to find them.
Begin re-reading the texts you have already studied now in order to ensure you are successful in the exam.
Unit 1 Exploring Modern Texts, an example of which can be found here; http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/english/english-literature-materials.php?id=01
This is the Of Mice and Men and An Inspector Calls paper and lasts 1hour 30 minutes.
And...
Unit 2 Poetry Across Time, examples of which can be found here:
http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/english/english-literature-materials.php?id=01
This is the Relationships poems and an unseen poem, the paper lasts 1hour 15 minutes.
In order to be successful in these exams you need to know all of the texts in detail. This does not mean you have seen the film or read the text in class. You should know detailed information about characters, events, themes and symbols. You should also know quotations and where to find them.
Begin re-reading the texts you have already studied now in order to ensure you are successful in the exam.
Introduction
This Blog should be able to provide you with notes about the texts studied for the GCSE Literature Exam. The Blog should be easy to navigate, and posts should help to facilitate or consolidate your understanding.
Note: The information on here is a summary of some of the key points, not an exhaustive list. To achieve the best possible grade you will need to go into more detail and ensure that techniques are identified and analysed too.
Note: The information on here is a summary of some of the key points, not an exhaustive list. To achieve the best possible grade you will need to go into more detail and ensure that techniques are identified and analysed too.
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