Preparing for your Poetry exam Charmaine Kendal
The unseen poem
How to tackle the unseen poem Highlight the key words. Be aware of the mark allocation. Answer using the question as your guide. Answer the questions Using the knowledge you have gained, read each line carefully. Read from punctuation mark to punctuation mark. Try to break it down into segments of meaning. Fine reading of poem What information is each questions giving me? Are there any clues as to the meaning of the poem? Read the questions What is the title saying? Who is the poet? What is the structure of the poem? Can the structure help me understand? Scan the poem
How to revise your poems for the exam
Read through each poem carefully Revising your poems Read through each poem carefully Go through all the notes you have on each poem Go through all your questions and answers for that poem Make a summary sheet for the poem
TITLE STRUCTURE IMAGERY MESSAGE/ THEME Because I could not stop for Death – Emily Dickinson Like a hymn. Short line (Iambic tetrameter) Extended metaphor of a journey of the poet and Death in a carriage. Death personified. Images of a passing day as reflected in the passing of her life. Tone : bemused, relieved The poet dies and relates the story of her death. Death visits her like a suitor and takes her on a ride. She discovers that after death there is eternity. Death is but a pause.
TITLE STRUCTURE IMAGERY MESSAGE/ THEME It is better to be together One stanza Free verse Stormy sea represents the troubles facing them in their relationship. Eagles- above the storm. Detached, lonely, cold Saints – bitter. Images about perception It is better to struggle together in a relationship and against the odds to face problems in the relationship/ circumstances in life. Comparison with he eagle and saints. Vitai Lampada (Torch of life) Three stanzas First stanza – cricket game Second stanza – Battle Third stanza – tradition: do it for the team, do it for honour. Extended metaphor of the cricket game/ battle / life Torch of life - the principle which governs life – never give up. Play the game Tradition is handed on from generation to generation. The square of the battle. Play the game! Honour is most important. Even when th odds are stacked against you, never give up. Poem for my mother Run on lines Irregular stanza structure No set rhythm Ambiguity in title of the poem: The physical poem she wrote for the mother. This poem is also for her mother Burnt granadilla skin of hands Blue ringed gaze Washing the clothes Poet writes a poem for her mother who rejects the poem Mother daughter relationship. Children live in a different world to their parents Different values, aims, education.
TITLE STRUCTURE IMAGERY MESSAGE/ THEME The flea Formal structure. The flea on the breast of the mistress sucking her blood. If the flea has sucked his blood and then sucked hers – the two are one. Then they might as well consummate their relationship because they are already joined. Prayer before birth Irregular structure / free verse Images of horror attacking the foetus, his life: blood sucking bat, stoat, rat / tyranny/cog in a machine. Positive imagery – green, white light, water. Prayer of the foetus to society about protecting it from the horrors of society and giving it the right things to grow and live a good life – otherwise kill it.