5th march analytical exam (5 poems_ Flashcards
A different history, Where I come from, The chimney sweeper, Lament, A married state
What are the three language devices to include for ‘A different history’
- The writer uses allusion and symbolism
- The writer uses vivid imagery
- The writer uses a volta
- semantic field of oppression, violence
Structural devices in ‘A different history’
Free verse
two contrasting stanzas
indentation to mimic the actions in the poem
What are quotes you should include in your essay for ‘A different history’
Great Pan is not dead;
he simply emigrated “
to India."-
“Here, the gods roam freely,
disguised as snakes or monkeys; “ -
“It is a sin to shove a book aside
with your foot,
a sin to slam books down
hard on a table”-
“learn how to turn the pages gently without disturbing Sarasvati,”-
“oppressor’s tongue”-
“after the soul has been cropped” “with a long scythe”-
How is it that “the unborn grandchildren” “grow to love that strange language. “-
What is the main message behind ‘A different history’
Cultural Identity and Heritage: Bhatt emphasizes the importance of language as a cornerstone of cultural identity, conveying the painful mutilation of india’s cultural heritage and language.
Impact of Colonization: The poem critiques colonialism’s impacts, illustrating how it marginalizes languages and cultures and oppresses nd changes a country’s culture and ethos inherent in its identity.
where is the volta in ‘a different history’
the second stanza
Analyse the quote:
‘Great Pan is not dead;
he simply emigrated “
to India."
This allusion suggests that while Western culture may perceive the Greek god Pan, a symbol of nature and paganism, as “dead,” his essence has been preserved and transformed in India, a land rich in spiritual traditions
analyse the quote ““after the soul has been cropped” “with a long scythe”-
the imagery of a soul being “cropped” evokes a violent, forceful act of cutting away or diminishing one’s inner essence or cultural identity.
The scythe, typically associated with harvest, here symbolizes colonial oppression, suggesting that colonization strips people of their spiritual and cultural roots in a destructive manner.
The scythe is also associated with the Grim reaper and death which reinforces its earlier connotations of torture and pain.
Enjambment: The line flows without pause, mimicking the relentless violence of colonialism.
Analyse the quote “Here, the gods roam freely, disguised as snakes or monkeys”
Roam freely is a metaphor for widespread belief
The snakes (Shiva), monkey (Hanuman): allusion to sacred animals that embody gods.
This line encapsulates the animistic and polytheistic traditions of Hinduism, where divinity is not confined to temples but is present in nature.
The gods’ disguises as animals reflect the interconnectedness of humans, gods, and the natural world, a theme central to the poem.
Analyse “every tree is sacred and it is a sin to be rude to a book”
‘Every tree is sacred’: allusion- all life is precious and important.
‘sin’- subliminally framing certain actions as sins in the reader’s mind
‘It is a sin to be rude to a book.’- education and knowledge is extremely valued and is vital part of culture.
presents divinity as immanent and intertwined with everyday life.
Analyse “Which language has not been the oppressor’s tongue?”
Rhetorical question: Challenges the reader to reflect on the role of language in colonialism.
This line marks a volta in the poem where the poem shifts to a more confrontational and critical tone, interrogating the role of language in colonial violence and oppression
What are three central themes in ‘a different history’ in every paragraph
Cultural Identity and Hybridity
Language and
Colonialism and Cultural Erasure
Summarise “a different history”
The poem begins by celebrating the richness of Indian culture. The idyllic portrayal of Indian spirituality and ecological wisdom stands in stark contrast to the violence of colonialism, which sought to suppress and erase indigenous traditions.
Analyse “ the unborn grandchildren grow to love that strange language
explores the paradox of future generations growing to love the language that was once used to oppress their ancestors. It speaks to the complex relationship between language, identity, and the lasting impact of colonisation.
“strange” underscores the alien nature of this language, highlighting its foreignness and the violence of its imposition.
What are the 3 main language devices for ‘where I come from’
sensory description
Figurative language
symbolism
structural devices in ‘Where I come from’
Free verse
contrasting sections
enjambment and caesura between lines and slow pace- mimics the stream of consciousness
What are some quotes you can include in your essay for ‘Where I come from’
“Nature tidily plotted in little squares”
“or the smell of work, glue factories maybe,
chromium-plated offices; smell of subways” (separate in to three)
“carry woods in their minds, acres of pine woods”
“burned-out bush”
“battered schoolhouses”
“They carry with them
hints of jungles”
“carry”
“A door in the mind blows open, and there blows
a frosty wind from fields of snow. “
What is the main message behind ‘Where I come from’
Connection to Place: Brewster explores the deep relationship between personal identity and origins, emphasising how places shape individual experiences and
Contrast Between Urban and Rural Life: The poem contrasts urban modernity with rural simplicity, evoking nostalgia for authentic experiences often lost in progress.
The subconscious and the power of memory:
Brewster reveals how memories, particularly those associated with place, are not merely passive recollections, but active forces that shape the present self.
where is the volta in ‘where i come from’
as the point of view from omniscient narrator changes to first person in the second stanza, the tone becomes more personal and endearing
Analyse the quote “Nature tidily plotted in little squares”
metaphor, imagery- contrasts the wildness of nature with the rigid, artificial order imposed by humans. By describing nature as “plotted in little squares,” the poet critiques how urban environments compartmentalize and control nature.
Juxtaposition: The placing of “nature” alongside “plotted” creates a stark contrast, highlighting the tension between the natural and the artificial.
Analyse the quote “or the smell of work, glue factories maybe,
chromium-plated offices; smell of subways”
The smell of “work” evokes connotations of physical labour, sweat and the grit of city life while “glue factories” evokes connotations of the destruction of nature (in the manufacturing process) and the putrid smell these factories emanate. The mention of “chromium plated offices” adds a stark contrast to the earlier images of labor, evoking the dull, sterile nature of corporate environments.
Analyse the quote “carry woods in their minds, acres of pine woods”
The word ‘carry’ not only evokes connotations of memories and identity but could also imply the physical burden of carrying something around, suggesting the significance of places as well as both the positive and negative effects they can have on people.
Analyse the quote “burned-out bush”
“battered schoolhouses”
the contrasting negative connotations of decrepit, worn out objects portrays the realities of there being positive and negative aspects of nature and life.
Analyse the quote “A door in the mind blows open, and there blows a frosty wind”
wind blowing could portray a renewal or the blowing away of negativity.
It could also describe the recollection of a distant memory.
illustrates the lasting impact of place on the subconscious. Brewster uses the metaphor of a “door” opening in the mind to represent how memories of places are stored and resurface unexpectedly, shaping one’s identity and psyche.
Analyse the quote ‘‘spring and winter are the minds chief seasons : ice and the breaking of ice”
Pathetic fallacy- the use of contrasting weather describes the emotional turbulence of humans. By designating them as the “mind’s chief seasons,” Brewster emphasizes their dominance in the speaker’s internal landscape.
ice: how our perceptions and certain parts of our identity can change and are malleable like how ice can melt and be shaped.