Lament Flashcards
Context of lament
This poem explores the broader implications of war (gulf war) and violence. Clarke suggests that the war has no true winners, only terrible consequences for everyone and everything in its path.
Quote 1
“FHELITNOS”
“For her eggs laid in her nest of sickness”
Analysis: use of third person pronouns create distance between humankind and the natural world.
Quote 2
“FTCIHFS/TVOIOTS”
“For the Cormorant in his funeral silk/the veil of iridescence on the sand”
Analysis: “Veil” suggests the oil is hiding the sand away.
Quote 3
“TWSDBTMT”
“The whale struck dumb by the missiles thunder”
Analysis: “struck dumb” suggests that the whale is not able to sing happily anymore because the missile has taken it away.
Quote 4
“TVSATSOA”
“the veiled sun and the stink of anger”
Analysis: repetition of “veil” suggests that the sun is being covered up/ hiding away from the war because of the smoke from the bombs.
Quote 5
“FVATAOL”
“For vengeance and the ashes of language”
Analysis: “ashes of language” implies that words have lost their meaning. The most important thing of humanity (language) has been destroyed due to war.
Who is the poem written by?
Gillian Clarke
