Full Moon and Little Freida by Ted Hughes

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

• From Wodwo, 1967.
• Hughes drafted this poem on the back of a version of Plath’s Tulips. Interesting to note the contrast between the joy and love of this piece with the despair of Plath’s.

Question 2

Form and Structure

Answer 2

-Free verse used as a dramatic effect in a small narrative that leads to a little miracle: the miracle of language and the magic of the moment where a child attaches a word to a subject for the first time.

Question 3

Poetic Techniques

Answer 3

Imagery
-plays with duality and reciprocity between the girl and the moon/ milk and blood etc.

Symbolism

• Hughes uses a metaphor for the moon as “an artist gazing amazed at his work”. He is using his own form of creation myth. Language is what connects the child- and all of us to the natural world.
• Moon gives life to the child at the moment she gives life to the moon by naming it (duality and reciprocity)