Death of a Naturalist

Question 1

Author

Answer 1

Seamus Heaney

Question 2

Structure/ Form

Answer 2

Poem is divided into 2 very distinct sections with contrasting moods to indicate that the child’s feelings have changed by the end of the poem. Stanza 1 is a long stanza reflecting on the poet’s childhood and describing how peaceful, idyllic and welcoming nature can be. In stanza 2, the comfortable childish routine soon becomes a nightmarish encounter.

Question 3

Context

Answer 3

Seamus Heaney (1939-2013) was an Irish poet who wrote poems about Ireland, rural life and nature. He won the nobel prize for literature in 1995. Shows how nature can be threatening

Question 4

Then one hot day

Answer 4

The first line of stanza 2 signals a change in mood and direction of the poem. The tone is more sombre as emphasised through the consonance in ‘Then one’ – almost as if this marks the arrival of doom and unwelcome change. The consonance followed by the adjective ‘hot’ creates a negative, rather than a positive sound.

Question 5

The great slime kings

Answer 5

The nickname given to the frogs reflects the change in attitude of the poet towards nature and his lack of affection towards them. The alliterative sound of the repeated ‘g’ creates a resounding tone of disgust. This description contrasts sharply with the description of ‘mammy’ and ‘daddy’ frog in stanza 1. Kings = humanisation = powerful

Question 6

Bubbles gargled delicately

Answer 6

The oxymoron of the onomatopoeic ‘gargling’ and ‘delicately’ indicates a sense of conflict in the poet in how he feels about nature and place. The sound of the bubbles creates a soothing sound, with threatening undertones. The repeated ‘g’ sound is not used harshly here, but reflects the gentle movement in the water.

Question 7

Poised like mud grenades

Answer 7

The verb ‘poised’ suggests a very specific posture in the frogs, as if they are in anticipation of something or ready to pounce. The simile describes not only the muddy appearance of the frogs, but also compares them to grenades. This war-like imagery suggests that the unpredictable frogs may lash out or explode at any moment, ready to attack the humans. There is a barrier now created and a sense of ‘them and us’ between humans and nature.

Question 8

The warm, thick slobber

Of frogspawn that grew like clotted water

Answer 8

The adjectives ‘warm, thick’ separated by a comma creates a slow sound of disgust and revulsion at the frogspawn, which is echoed though the sibilance of the line. Again, this contrasts sharply with how the poet saw the frogspawn as a child. This feeling of disgust is further emphasised is the repeated ‘g’ sound and comes together in the vivid image created by the simile of thick, polluted water.

Question 9

Angry frogs

Invaded

Answer 9

The adjective ‘angry’ is emotive and indicates that the frogs are in some ways in opposition to the humans. The use of the verb ‘invaded’ suggests that they planned some kind of takeover, some kind of attack to inhabit the flax- dam and claim it as their own.

Question 10

Bluebottles

Wove a strong gauze of sound around the smell

Answer 10

Alliteration of the noun ‘bluebottle’ reflects the fascination the poet had with nature as a child with simple creatures. The assonance that carries us through these lines emphasises the buzzing sound, which creates an image of flies or insects gathering. There is also sibilance, which creates a subtle and quiet tone to this line.

Question 11

The jellied

Specks to range

Answer 11

Enjambent represent the child’s wonder as his eyes skim over everything
in front of him with complete awe.