Effects by Alan Jenkins

Question 1

STRUCTURE

What is the reader;s initial impression when they first see the poem? Why?

Answer 1

intimidation
overwhelmed

long single stanza

Question 2

STRUCTURE

How may the reader interpret this long single stanza?

Answer 2

representation of the huge range of ‘Effects’ that occur and need to be considered

Question 3

STRUCTURE

What forms of punctuation are used in the poem?

Answer 3

caesura in form of commas
full stops
hyphens
brackets
inverted commas

Question 4

STRUCTURE

What might this mix of punctuation make the reader consider?

Answer 4

how it is arguably more ‘story-like’ and descriptive than a typical poem
there’s a natural sense of speech and opinion communicated

Question 5

STRUCTURE

What does text in inverted commas indicate?

Answer 5

different tone in voices

Question 6

STRUCTURE

What do hyphens do?

Answer 6

with their extended pause, they help to place emphasis on items
e.g. “the scotch”

Question 7

STRUCTURE

What are the two full stops effective at doing?

Answer 7

building on existing ‘overwhelming’ feeling

Question 8

STRUCTURE

Why might the reader feel confusion?

Answer 8

due to wide range of descriptions

emphasised by lack of consistent rhyme scheme

Question 9

STRUCTURE

What could the inconsistent rhyme scheme represent?

Answer 9

the confused mental state of the mother

the confusion that can come with grief

Question 10

STRUCTURE

What is the significance of the rhyme scheme becoming more consistent towards the end?

Answer 10

portrays the greater sense of clarity the narrator is achieving

Question 11

STRUCTURE
What does the first line of the poem have the effect of?

“I held her hand”

Answer 11

releases a flood of memories

recreates life that has just ended

Question 12

STRUCTURE

What does each sentence show?

Answer 12

the influential lives (of which they are 2) that he has lost, and this affects himgreatly

represents how life is a constant. it will end suddenly but all the memories are there

Question 13

STRUCTURE

What can be considered the turning point? Why?

Answer 13

“-it was gone”

the narrator starts to notice that things are missing

it is as if his father’s death has finally sunk in

Question 14

STRUCTURE

What pattern does the rhyme scheme start off as? What does it end as?

Answer 14

starts off as alternate line rhyme

ends in couplets

Question 15

STRUCTURE

What does the change in rhyme scheme show?

Answer 15

how the narrator is left in a state of uncertainty

as poem goes on, he regains some of his ‘old self’ back and comes to terms with the deaths

irregularity mirrors the distance between him and his parents

Question 16

STRUCTURE

What complex sentence structure does the poem use? What does this represent?

Answer 16

mix of clauses and sub clauses

each new details triggers further memories

Question 17

POETIC TECHNIQUES

What role does repetition play? What particular form of repetition is used?

Answer 17

adds extra emphasis to specific descriptions
hopelessness and despondence

a diacope ( repetition of a word is broken by another word)
e.g. "drink after drink", "night after night"

Question 18

POETIC TECHNIQUES

How does Jenkins use negative connotations?

Answer 18

to connect to the reader

it makes it more memorable and effective

Question 19

POETIC TECHNIQUES

What role do adjectives and verbs play in the poem?

Answer 19

further emphasise the descriptive and story-like nature of the poem

by:

• improve ability of reader to accurately imagine
• subtle extensions of understanding due to the connotations (“cheap cut”, “faded snapshots”)

Question 20

POETIC TECHNIQUES

What does the 1st person perspective achieve in the ending of the poem?

Answer 20

the ending is more emotional because the reader is able to apply the sense of loss to a specific individual

rather than a more abstract group or entity

Question 21

POETIC TECHNIQUES

What does the first person description add to the poem?

Answer 21

a more personal connection

Question 22

What are the themes presented?

Answer 22

1. Family
2. Childhood
3. Identity

Question 23

How is the theme of family presented?

Answer 23

directly explores the current relationship between ill mother and their child

references mother’s husband

Question 24

How is theme of childhood presented?

Answer 24

references to childhood experiences and reminiscing

Question 25

How is theme of identity presented?

Answer 25

mother’s identity is summarised through physical and emotional impact that she had on others

Question 26

POETIC TECHNIQUES

Where is colloquialism used? What is its effect?

Answer 26

“fumble at my sleeve”

more informal and relatable

Question 27

POETIC TECHNIQUES

Where is symbolism used? What is its effect?

Answer 27

“to whatever “funny stuff” young people seemed to eat these days”

symbolism of materials shows the difference between the two generations and how things change with time

how a lack of understanding creates a distance as well as learn opportunities about the other person