The Planners

Question 1

CONTEXT

Answer 1

• From the 1992 collection ‘Another Place’.
  •Boey left his native Singapore (an entirely modern, planned city) in 1996.
  •He was disillusioned with the state of literary and cultural politics in the city.

Question 2

FORM AND STRUCTURE

Answer 2

•3 stanzas of varied lengths (9/10/14/4 lines)
•Varied line lengths
•Free verse – no consistent rhyme/metre
•This gives the poem an unplanned, organic appearance – contrasts with the rigidly structured city designs of the planners.

Question 3

OVERVIEW

Answer 3

Boey describes the endless building of the city planners, who constantly mend the city’s gaps and flaws.

Whilst this ceaseless building creates a superficial sense of perfection, Boey suggests that the past, culture and history of the city is obliterated.

Question 4

HOW DOES THE READER FEEL AT THE END?

Answer 4

The reader is left feeling a sense of grief and hollowness at the idea that there will be no room for culture in this new city.