Paragraph 5 (imagery)

Question 1

Topic sentence

Answer 1

Lastly, Auden effectively uses imagery following Victor murdering Anna, to uncover Victor’s insanity.

Question 2

Religious link to Anna’s cheating allegations

Answer 2

As established in the rest of the poem, Victor’s mental state falls apart after he finds out that Anna has been cheating on him. This leads him to believe that killing her is the only answer and it is the only way to free her of her sins.

Question 3

Quote

Answer 3

The quote “he sat as quiet as a lump of moss” is used to show that although Victor has committed such a heinous crime, he believes that he did no wrong.

Question 4

Analysis

Answer 4

The simile shows that Victor believes that he is still pure as he is being compared to moss, a substance that only grows in pure and unpolluted environments like the countryside. This links to Victor’s insanity as only a mentally unwell person would believe that murdering someone was not a horrendous crime and that they were still innocent and pure after committing this act.

Question 5

Link back to question

Answer 5

Therefore, imagery is effectively used to convey the theme of sanity through Victor killing Anna as it reiterates how Victors mental state has an impact on his actions because he believes that he has done nothing wrong and that he is only freeing Anna of her sins.