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.
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