Eden Rock

Question 1

When was Causley alive?

Answer 1

1917-2003

Question 2

When was the poem published?

Answer 2

1988

Question 3

What is the poem about?

Answer 3

The narrator is imagining that his parents are young again, his mother is 23 and his father is 25. They are both sitting beside a stream preparing a picnic, while the narrator stands on the other side admiring them. They are encouraging him to cross the stream, this is implied to be crossing into the afterlife.

Question 4

Describe the form of the poem

Answer 4

The poem is made up of five stanzas, where almost all lines have 10 syllables. This regular structure could represent the steady nature of the narrator’s relationship with his parents. The few lines that differentiate could represent his uneasiness. The final line is in it’s own separate stanza could represent the gap between him and his parents, or could show that he has crossed the stream and is starting a new chapter.

Question 5

Describe the structure of the poem

Answer 5

The first three stanzas centre around the narrator lovingly describing his parents, displaying his fondness and their healthy relationship. The fourth and fifth stanzas focus on the parents turning their attention to him and encouraging him to join them.

Question 6

Describe the use of language about memories in the poem.

Answer 6

The narrator uses childhood memories to create a vivid scene, the beautiful and peaceful descriptions of his parents reflect how special his childhood was to him.

Question 7

Describe the use of language about light in the poem.

Answer 7

The references to the colour white and the bright light in the scene have connotations with the descriptions of heaven and religious aspects.

Question 8

Describe the use of language about ordinariness in the poem.

Answer 8

The narrator includes specific details, such as the “H.P. Sauce bottle”, which demonstrates the narrator’s nostalgia for his everyday life as a child. The use of ordinary language reflects how much simpler and uncomplicated things were back then and the narrator’s fondness for that time in his life.

Question 9

What is the effect of “They are waiting for me” (Line 1)?

Answer 9

The use of present tense informs the reader that the events are happening in real time, as well as making the scene he’s describing feel more vivid.

Question 10

What is suggested by “somewhere beyond” (Line 1)?

Answer 10

The ambiguity infers to the reader that the scene may be imagined.

Question 11

What is the significance of “Eden Rock:” (Line 1)?

Answer 11

It is a reference to the Bible, the Garden of Eden was a perfect place, which suggests that, for the narrator, this was his Eden, with his parents, perfect and peaceful.

Question 12

What is the impact of “My father, twenty-five, in” (Line 2) and “My mother, twenty-three, in” (Line 5)?

Answer 12

Their introductions mirror one another- which reflects the closeness of their relationship.

Question 13

What is the significance of “same” (Line 2) and “Still” (Line 4)?

Answer 13

The narrator appears to take comfort in remembering specific details about his parents.

Question 14

What effect does “sprigged dress “ (Line 5) and “ribbon” (Line 6) have on the reader?

Answer 14

The details describe his mother as beautiful, which demonstrates how precious his memories of her are to the narrator.

Question 15

What is the impact of “Thermos” (Line 9), “old H.P. Sauce bottle” (Line 10), “paper for a cork” (Line 11) and “tin cups” (Line 12)?

Answer 15

The detailed descriptions of these specific, ordinary things show their importance to the narrator and the affection he has for the way his parents did things.

Question 16

What is the significance of “slowly” (Line 11)?

Answer 16

It shows how the parents’ actions are tranquil and peaceful.

Question 17

What is the significance of “The sky whitens as if lit by three suns.” (Line 13)

Answer 17

The imagery of the sky whitening has implications of heaven, which links to the theme of the afterlife. The fact that there is three suns also reinforces that they are a family of three, and they would be in heaven together at last.

Question 18

What is the impact of “white” (Line 7) and “takes on the light.” (Line 8)?

Answer 18

This description of his mother creates an image that she is not only appealing to look at, but she has an almost heavenly appearance. The fact that she “takes on the light” shows that she is thriving in this afterlife, showing that the narrator also finds it appealing.

Question 19

What is the effect of “drifted stream” (Line 15)?

Answer 19

This reinforces that there is a gap between the narrator and his parents. The fact that it is a “stream” is significant because it is natural and has very peaceful connotations, showing that crossing the gap is very peaceful and a natural process.

Question 20

What is the significance of “Leisurely,// They” (Lines 16 and 17)?

Answer 20

The new paragraph could represent the gap that is between him and his parents. The enjambement creates a natural flow into the next paragraph, which shows that crossing over is a natural process.

Question 21

What is the effect of “Crossing it is not as hard as you might think.” (Line 19)?

Answer 21

This part being in quotations shows that it was an important moment for the narrator, as he remembers what his parents said word for word. It also supports the idea that his parents are encouraging him and it is a peaceful and easy experience.

Question 22

What is the impact of “I had not thought it would be like this.” (Line 20)?

Answer 22

This line being own could either imply that the narrator is still looking at his parents from over the river, deciding if he will cross; the gap representing the river still between them, or it could imply that the narrator has crossed the river, and has started a new chapter.