english literature

Question 1

about the poem

Answer 1

this is an inspirational and motivational poem gives encouragement and advice to a young person on how to live their life. The poem is a dramatic monologue addressed to writer’s son John although it can be read relevant to young people in general. The poem present stoical views about the life and offers guidance and advice from an older to a younger man with conditional clauses throughout

Question 2

form /structure

Answer 2

didiatic poem
4 stanzas with each 8 lines long
rhyme scheme follows ababcdcd reglar pattern
each second line is identified showing difference between a boy and a man

Question 3

repetition

Answer 3

‘if you’ or ‘if’ is repeated to emphasise the unended mutlitude of possible situations the son may find in. / or future possibilities
shows the unpredicatability of life

Question 4

juxtoposition

Answer 4

trust and doubt, triumph and disaster , kings and common , hopes and fears are important but not to emphaise too much on one but instead look for a balanced approach to life

Question 5

personified

Answer 5

triumph and disaster are personified as to indicate that how important are they in lie.

Question 6

rhyming words

Answer 6

some variation in rhyming words which are sometimes single syllable words like lies and wise and sometimes two or more like waiting and hating

Question 7

capitalisation of Man

Answer 7

adds to significance as an aspiration

Question 8

my son

Answer 8

adds to the personal touch at the end but it could be argued that the advice in the poem is for every young man and as well as his own son.