Contemporary Poetry

Question 1

summarise the meaning of journal

Answer 1

• considers the role of men within society and the interactions between them based on different perspectives
• direct consideration of how work can impact an individual
• explores masculinity and how society expresses certain behaviours

Question 2

4 points on structure of journal

Answer 2

1. regular quatrains: entries in a journal/social hierarchy
2. rhythm slows down: foreshadows men giving up
3. even line lengths: visual impression of solid blocks
4. simple stanza structure but variety in punctuation: masculinity’s appearance of conformity but internal thoughts and experiences

Question 3

(journal) what is the effect of starting w a personal pronoun

Answer 3

makes the reader and intrusive observer, middle of journal

Question 4

(journal) why is there a focus on the physical body

Answer 4

suggests that the only attribute of lower class men is strength

Question 5

(journal) the image of water

Answer 5

its a motif for the hidden depths of the men’s lives

Question 6

(journal) speaker

Answer 6

patronising, sense of superiority, looks down upon the ‘non thinkers’

Question 7

(journal) sound

Answer 7

emphasis on silence = lack of communication (what keeps society and communities going), critical of political systems

Question 8

(journal) descriptions of men

Answer 8

dehumanising: makes them sound like cattle - lack of thinking/questioning and moving in groups

Question 9

(journal) ending

Answer 9

preposition at the end creates uncertainty, unresolved problem perhaps reflecting society

Question 10

(journal) plosives

Answer 10

emphasises masculine tone and elements

Question 11

summarise the meaning of out of the bag

Answer 11

explores the idea of revealing a secret of how children are born through transitions in time and perspective as the narrator grows up

Question 12

4 points on the structure of out of the bag

Answer 12

1. 4 sections of the poem are numbered = transitions in time, place, stages of life
2. fragmentation of stanza = thoughts being broken and needing to be pieced together
3. free verse = free flowing nature of memories and thoughts
4. enjambment and end stopped lines = confusing the reader

Question 13

(out of the bag) language

Answer 13

• complex vocab and ideas = makes reader feel child-like being overwhelmed by lack of knowledge
• list of adjectives to create vivid strong imagery of overwhelming setting making the reader empathise w the narrator maintaining a sense of secrecy and the unknown

Question 14

(out of the bag) ending

Answer 14

the doctor is described as a mystical, almost supernatural and god-like undermining the mother’s role which is passive at the end with all the effort of birth being taken as a doctor

Question 15

(out of the bag) beginning

Answer 15

collective pronoun in the first and last line: universal childhood misunderstanding of birth, humanity of in the bag

Question 16

(out of the bag) 4 points on section 2

Answer 16

• shift to a more academic voice
• poetry and literature are described as healing by the doctor of poetry
• balance of body and mind = medicine (greek)
• references to catholic shrines = religious cure