Poetry - quotes and analysis Flashcards
What is the ending of war photographer and what does it show?
“He earns his living and they do not care”
This short declarative sentance shows how he cares yet is disappointed how everyone else seems to not.
What does the assonance of ‘care’, aeroplane, stares and where in war photographer symbolise?
This repetition mirrors the repetition in his life, and how his job has become somewhat meaningless due to the desensitisation of the public
XWhat is the effect of the series of rhetorical questions in the tyger?
Emphasises the complexity of nature
XWhat is the effect of direct address in half caste?
Directly challenging people, the issue is you not him
XWhy is the title of prayer before birth ironic?
As even though the poem is sort of prayer, there is a clear lack of God in it.
What is the woman portrayed as in la belle dame sans mercy?
A femme fatale
What does the ending of la belle dame sans mercy show?
The cyclical structure implies that he’s trapped in a circle and unable to move on emotionally. The “no birds sing’ also highlights that there are no new beginnings
What does the refrain “rage, rage against the dying of the light” show?
- this euphsmism is used to soften the blow of writing about his fathers death.
- a plea to not go out passively, go out fighting
- shows his desperation and fear
What does “‘‘twas not her husbands presence only, called that spot of joy in the duchesses cheek” imply in my last duchess?
He expects her to only gain joy from him. He expects himself to be her main purpose in life. He has complete domination of her life ,this also presents him as paranoid.
What can you imply from the quote “the bough of cherries some officious fool” in my last duchess?
He wants his wealth and status to be more important, shows his materialism-shows he doesn’t value natural beauty. Sees her liking other things as a criticism of himself presents as insecure. Expects her to reserve her joy only for him. Relies on controlling women to cure his vulnerability
What does “my gift of a nine-hundred year old name” show in my last duchess?
Shows he holds his status and power within society boasting about this but also a reflection about how the woman is now owned by her husband, and even labelled as his property with his name.
What does “who’d stoop to blame?” Show in my last duchess?
This shows that Dukes mail entitled pride: he wouldn’t lower himself to her and talk about his fears as he feels it might present him as paranoid or weak. Also suggest that there is no point arguing with a woman as she is so far below him. Like another species.
What is the effect of the euphemism “all smiles stopped together” in my last duchess?
Euphemism for murder- shows he the power he has as he can just kill her without consequence. Murder is a is a sign of a lack of control. abuses his power as a male.
How is a relationship presented as in my last duchess?
As a transaction of property - the father pays a “dowry” to the future husband to take his daughter.
What is the effect of the repetition of withering in LBDSM?
Used a a leitmotif, emphasising the dead and decaying landscape and the sad fate of the betrayed knight. Also, the water is linked to the female so that could explain his withering.
What is the effect of the quotes “I set her on my pacing steed” and there she lulled me asleep in LBDSM?
Potential euphemism for sex. The night has control with the lady is the object of the sentence. But in the second one the knight is now the object of the sentance and lady becomes dominant.
What does it show if the woman gave the knight “manna-dew” in LBDSM?
God gave the Israelites manna when they fled Egypt and were wondering the wilderness. It is as if the woman gave the night life and sustenance to live and without her he would die.
What can we imply from the quote “with kisses four” in LBDSM?
The night thinks he can solve all her problems with kisses. Male ignorance, in reality he’s at her mercy.
What can we imply with the quote “ it is the star to every wandering bark”” whose words unknown, although his height be taken” in sonnet 116
This personification suggests that love is a guiding force in life and that love gives you direction and meaning. Further, love is fascinating and invaluable and like a star we cannot put a value on it.
What does the quote” love’s not time’s fool” show in sonnet 116
That age and death is irrelevant in love and that true love surprises death and time.
What does the quote “caught and sang the sun in flight” show from DNGG.
This metaphor is an illusion to Icarus and wild men that live life too fully that in doing so they have made it pass quicker
What is the effect of Thomas suddenly using lots of end stopped lines in the final stanza in DNGG
Reinforces how resolute he now is that he doesn’t want his dad to die
What does the repetition of personal pronouns at the start of poem at 39 show?
First person narrative and personal pronouns creates a very intimate tone and presents her as vulnerable
What can is the effect of the semantic field for money in paragraph 2 in poem at 39?
Suggests that money was a burden for her father and that he prioritised her not having to live like he did by teaching her thing he wished he knew .
