1. English Revision Poetry Other Cultures

2. Poem= Search for my tongue
Summary
The poem explores the difficulties faced when torn between two languages and two identities. The speaker feels a lack of clear identity as she is forced to choose between two languages. The poem is both positive and negative. Positive in the fact that her mother tongue blossoms out of her mouth. Negative that the two tongues can’t live in harmony.
Themes
-identity
-confusion
-conflict of language
Structure
-very effective as it graphically illustrates the concept that her mother tongue lies at her core while her new found language almost sandwiched this
-the translations are effective as it underlies the problem she has with the two languages. It is an extended metaphor – the flower
Language
-metaphorical throughout to emphasise the series of metaphors
-first person is used to create a biased poem
-repetition of the word tongue acts as a kind of motif woven into the poem
-the language provides the reader with a graphic representation allowing us to visualise it
Attitudes and feelings
-speaker feels torn between two identities and feels lost in a world where two cultures cant live alongside each other.

3. Poem= Unrelated incidents
Summary
The poem explores society’s prejudices against regional accents. The poem is almost an angry tirade through which the speaker voices his frustrations and bitterness about society’s snobbery’s.
Themes
-prejudice in society
-identity
-politics
Structure
-it is written as an autocue – short sentences
-play on effect. He thinks society doesn’t listen unless you have a posh voice
Language
-written in slang/dialect – effect on society
-language used is an effective tool to highlight society’s prejudices
-repetition used on certain key words to draw attention to them to emphasise the fact and meaning of why they are there
Attitudes and feelings
-the speaker conveys his bitterness and resentment towards prejudices upheld in society
-the speaker uses shock tactics to shock the reader into changing for the better and becoming more accepting

4. Poem= Half-caste Summary
The poem explores the poets bitterness and anger towards society’s ignorance and lack of acceptance towards people of mixed race. The poet highlights many mixed things in society and argues why therefore why we accept them. The tone is bitter, resentful and sarcastic. An effective tool through which the speaker invites us back to listen to the second half of his story.
Themes
-ignorance
-identity
-prejudices
-two cultures
Structure
-repetitive. Used to emphasise the speakers feelings and who he is
Language
-mimics Caribbean accent
-language is metaphorical
play on words – half caste – over caste – manipulates meaning
Attitudes and feelings
-the speaker is frustrated at society’s ignorance and feels its time for change

5. Poem= Love after love Summary
This poem is about self discovery. Walcott suggest that we spend years assuming an identity but eventually discover who we really are- and this is like two different people meeting and making friends and sharing a meal together. Walcott presents this in terms of the love feast or Eucharist of the Christian church – “eat…give wine. give bread.” And it is not clear whether this other person is merely human or in some way divine.
The poem explores self acceptance and loving ones self before anyone else. The poem moves from having a negative outlook on life to being positive in its celebration.
Themes
-acceptance
-love
-celebration
Structure
-1st stanza longer than the rest because she’s thinking
-stanza 2+3, mimics religious mass with the way it’s structured. Short sentence length.
Language
-religious language used
-celebrates
-towards the end it becomes more supportive, more encouraging, motivating.
Attitudes and feelings
-the speaker thinks you should put yourself first before anyone else because if you forget how to love yourself everyone will move away from you
Turn poem to side- looks like a mountain

6. Poem= This room Summary
Metaphorical poem about breaking out of ones shell. Dharker uses the concept of breaking through the walls of a room which represent the speaker breaking out of their shell. The poet uses items familiar in our daily routine to explore this concept in more familiar terms.
Themes
-finding your own identity
-celebration
Structure
-the stanza in which the speaker finally accepts themselves is longer in the terms of celebrating it
-inconsistent to highlight the speakers confusion
Language
-it is uplifting and familiar
-metaphorical
-positive and encouraging – very encouraging
-empowering – encourages the reader to get up and go make a change/a difference
Attitudes and feelings
-at the start the speaker feels lost but by the end they seem to have found themselves

7. Poem= Not my business Summary
The poem explores the abuse of power by those in position of authority. The poet highlights the unjust bully tactics used by, in this case the government. The speaker chooses to ignore the unjust treatment of his peers not realizing the consequences his actions will have. It is not until they come to pick him up that he regrets not taking a stand.
Themes
-ignorance
-violence
-abuse
-regret
-control
Structure
-the first 3 stanzas end with a repeated refrain emphasising the speakers disbelief that things have nothing to do with him
-the final stanza slows down in pace shocking both reader and speaker that it’s his turn
-each stanza takes the reader to a new incident yet dealing with the same abuse of power
Language
-metaphorical “beat him soft like clay”
-personification – animal or object with name like person
-repetition used to emphasise points
-narrative – tells a story
Attitudes and feelings
-the speaker feels that it’s not his responsibility
-the poet feels that the people in power shouldn’t abuse their power

8. Poem= Presents from my aunts in Pakistan
Summary
The poem explores a child’s conflict of culture. The speaker feels unsettled in her new environment and unsure of her old one. The speaker cannot accept the “costumes” from Pakistan and feels that the “denim and corduroy” look is more her.
Themes
-culture
-identity
-confusion
Structure
-no regular structure. Doesn’t follow a pattern. Done on purpose by the poet to highlight the speaker’s confusion.
-haphazard
Language
-the language used to describe things from Pakistan is exotic, vibrant and glamorous and in contrast the poet used dull, mundane language
-metaphors, similes – use of poetic techniques
Attitudes and feelings
-the speaker feels confused, divided, unsettles of “no fixed nationality”
-the poet tries to highlight the way in how societies welcome other people in

9. Poem= Hurricane hits England
Summary
The poem explores the speaker’s journey from west to east which is symbolised by the hurricane. The hurricane hits England to remind the speaker of her heritage.
Themes
-heritage
-culture
-home
Structure
-its irregular highlighting the hurricane doesn’t have a set pattern
Language
-demanding – wants answers “talk to me”
-repetition emphasises she wants to know
-rhetorical questions
-metaphorical, personification
-similes used to create imagery
Attitudes and feelings
-unfamiliarity
-lost
-confusion
-isolation