Death of a Naturalist - Stanza 2

Question 1

Then one hot day when fields where rank

Answer 1

• then highlights the transitional phrase, it is a turning point in the poem
• shift in mood
• nature is now against the speaker

Question 2

angry frogs

Answer 2

• once beloved tadpoles are now angry

- frog symbolises a teen

Question 3

coarse croaking

Answer 3

• consonance create violence sounds

- frogs are fighting back

Question 4

right down the bank gross bellied frogs

Answer 4

• lots of frogs

- speaker is outnumbered

Question 5

slap and plop where obscene threats

Answer 5

• childlike onomatopoeia

Question 6

Some sat/ poised like mud grenades

Answer 6

• semantic field links to military
• creates violent atmosphere
• simile

Question 7

I sickened, turned and ran

Answer 7

• rule of 3
• antithesis of the feelings in stanza 1
• death of a naturalist is complete
• speaker’s innocence is lost

Question 8

That if I dipped my hand the spawn would clutch it

Answer 8

• monosyllabic
• sharp and to the point
• sheer terror towards nature now
• “clutch it” personification
• no longer filling jampotfuls as the spawn is attacking the speaker