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.
Thursday 26 January 2012
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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