Eden Rock - Charles Causley:

Question 1

Context:

Answer 1

He was an only child and his father died when he was seven.

Question 2

Summary:

Answer 2

The narrator imagines an idyllic scene and his parents are on the other side of the bank he is standing on, The setting may be based on a real memory, or an imagined scene of the time before he was born or when he’s near death – his parents could be beckoning him to join them in life or in the afterlife.

Question 3

Form:

Answer 3

The poem is made up of five stanzas, mostly four lines long and nearly every line has ten syllables – this regular structure reflects the steady nature of the narrator’s relationship with his parents. The final line is separated from the rest of the stanza – his current separation or he has crossed the stream and now is looking at what’s beyond. The poet uses half-rhymes – creating a gentle, unhurried and dreamlike rhythm.

Question 4

Structure:

Answer 4

In the first three stanzas, the narrator affectionately describes his parents, showing his fondness for them. In the fourth and fifth stanzas, his parents turn their attention to him, and encourage him to join them.

Question 5

Language about memory:

Answer 5

Childhood memories create a vivid scene - the beautiful and peaceful descriptions of his parents reflect how special his childhood was.

Question 6

Language about light:

Answer 6

References to light and the colour white create a heavenly atmosphere.

Question 7

Language about ordinariness:

Answer 7

Specific details show his nostalgia for the details of his everyday life. Ordinary language shows how life was simple and uncomplicated and shows his fondness of that time.

Question 8

Themes:

Answer 8

Deep and lasting bond – The parents have been waiting for their son – if the narrator is talking about death then he isn’t scared – he’ll be reunited with his parents, so it’s like going back to childhood.

Nostalgia – As Causley’s own father died, he may been looking at the time they were all together reflecting his desire to see his parents again.

Peacefulness – Reflects the poet’s emotions – he feels at peace thinking about and imagining life with his parents.

Question 9

Compare to:

Answer 9

Follower, Mother any Distance, Before You Were Mine, Climbing my Grandfather and Walking Away.