Paul Durcan - Nessa Flashcards
Who is poem about
One of many poems durcan has written for his wife, Nessa while they were still together (difficulty that is marriage being another).
He embodies his younger self and reminisces on the romantic experience
Poetic techniques in the poem
Refrain (repetition of a line)
“Whirlpool”
Where did they meet?
Shangri-La hotel, utopia
How did Nessa control him and take lead? Q
She took me by the index finger/ and dropped me in her well”
How was Nessa displayed in the line where she took him by his index finger
She’s strong, she took him by one finger and still managed to “carry” him. She shows power and more experience. She’s less shy
What’s the well a message for
It’s a powerful symbol in fairytales of a passage to the unknown
What quote shows that durcan was sucked into her love
She was a whirlpool , she was a whirlpool / and I very nearly drowned
Why does he use a whirlpool simile
He’s being cured away by her love
It’s consuming him and it’s all he feels and thinks about
Suggests a compelling magnetic forced that drew him in
DANGEROUS YET THRILLING
Past conditional quote showing he wants Future in their relationship
I’d have lain in the grass with her all my life
Imagery in the poem? Q
I’d have lain in the grass with her all my life
Image give a Sense of peace
Where does durcan call out to Nessa and begin addressing her in the poem? Q
Nessa my dear, / will you stay with me on the rocks?
Why does durcan ask her to stay with him on the rocks
He has a fear of loosing her ( like diff that is marriage)
He’s reminiscing on the day and yerns for an experience like it again, maybe he’s asking her to do it all again
He finished by telling her she’s a whirlpool meaning she still remains the same strong woman she was at the beginning
