Eden Rock

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

Poem partly autobiographical as his father died when he was 7
Published after mothers death when he was at an old age

Question 2

Stanza 1

Answer 2

‘Somewhere’ vague location contrasted with precise detailed image of father ‘same suit’ suggests habit and modest unpretentious person who values quality
Present tense ‘still’ regarding dog fines impression from moment years ago which is now replaying timeless quality

Question 3

Stanza 2

Answer 3

Mothers ‘sprigged dress, ribbon in her straw hat’ is precise details suggests photographic memory of event
‘White’ ‘light’ ‘wheat’ shows peaceful positive natural scene

Question 4

Stanza 3

Answer 4

‘Old HP sauce bottle’ shows how they’re modest simple resourceful people
‘Painted blue’ tin cups also shows this also evokes images of sky echoed in stanza 4
Action happened ‘slowly’ dreamlike

Question 5

Stanza 4

Answer 5

Three suns represent holy trinity shows how they’re one very close refers to heaven at this point
White light symbolic of shift and change in mood as mother ‘shades her eyes’ to look at son, first interaction between two

Question 6

Stanza 5

Answer 6

Poet no longer part of dream like imagery can now ‘hear’ parents call but no longer able to see them

Question 7

Stanza 5/6

Answer 7

Physical distance of final line from stanza captured distance between son and parents who age on other side
Euphemistic ‘crossing’ which is ‘not as hard’ as he ‘might think’ and that he had ‘not though it would be like this’ suggests poet is filled with joy and peace ghat his parents are waiting for him but sense of fear accepting death means giving up on life