Paul Durcan

Question 1

Nessa - metaphor that expresses exhilaration and risk taking

Answer 1

the central metaphor of swimming

Question 2

Nessa - repetition that signifies continuing fascination

Answer 2

‘And that was a whirlpool, that was a whirlpool’

Question 3

Nessa - wry humor is evident - self mocking incantation - in self deprecating comments about his initial nervousness

Answer 3

‘Take off your pants, she said to me,/ and I very nearly didnt.’

Question 4

Nessa - shows the breathless enthusiasm of their first encounter

Answer 4

‘I hopped into the Irish sea’

Question 5

Nessa -
show the ongoing and relentless hurt from the relationship breakdown
An honest expression of emotion and personal vulnerability

Answer 5

using present tense in the last line - ‘and I am very nearly drowned’

Question 6

Nessa - enduring remorse of knowning and losing love

Answer 6

‘I’d have lain in the grass with her all my life’

Question 7

Nessa - shows his yearning for a marraige that was inevitably doomed.

Answer 7

‘O Nessa my dear, Nessa my dear

Will you stay with me on the rocks?’

Question 8

Nessa - his idealistion of Nessa

Cinematic effect- portrays the inensity of romantic love.

Answer 8

‘for me let your red hair down’