Death Of A Naturalist

Question 1

Title

Answer 1

There’s no literal death in the poem - the title refers to the metaphorical ‘death’ of Heaney’s innocent and enthusiastic love of the natural world.

Question 2

“I would fill jampotfuls of the jellied / Specks to range on window-sills at home”

Answer 2

“I would fill jampotfuls of the jellied / Specks to range on window-sills at home”
Alliteration draws attention to childish vocabulary spoken by reader who is reflecting on his younger self. Enhancing the naïve and innocent experience of many young people.

Enjambment of ‘home’ creates a sense of enthusiasm and eagerness. Cannot contain his excitement for the activity, creating a sense of admiration and a loveable emotion from readers.

Question 3

“The flattened dots burst into nimble- / Swimming tadpoles.”

Answer 3

“The fattening dots burst into nimble- / Swimming tadpoles.”
Alliteration draws attention to the fact he observed and looked forward to seeing what happened next.

WC ‘burst’ is dynamic and exiting.
He is fascinated by the frogs lifecycle.
‘nimble’ is also lively and energetic.

Question 4

“To a coarse croaking that I had not heard”

Answer 4

“To a coarse croaking that I had not heard”
Alliteration draws attention to the sudden development of sound which is evocative as he realises that something is new and previously unexpected.
Time has passed for frogspawn and speaker.