The Prodigal

Question 1

Signs of squalid conditions in opening line

Answer 1

The brown enormous odor he lived by

Question 2

Precise description of dung

Answer 2

The sty was plastered halfway up with glass-smooth dung

Question 3

Personification of pigs showing he sees them as companions

Answer 3

Light-lashed, self righteous, above moving snouts, the pigs’ eyes followed him, a cheerful stare

Question 4

Quote that shows he has kept his humanity

Answer 4

even to the sow that always ate her young - till, sickening, he leaned to scratch her head

Question 5

Quote showing he was ashamed of his drinking

Answer 5

He hid the pints behind a two-by-four

Question 6

A quote at end of first stanza showing he is not yet ready to leave this life

Answer 6

He thought he almost might endure his exile yet another year or more

Question 7

Biblical image of hope at start of second stanza

Answer 7

But evenings the first star came to warm

Question 8

Biblical image showing animals happy but him isolated

Answer 8

Safe and companionable as in the Ark

Question 9

Image of light moving away

Answer 9

The lantern - like the sun, going away

Question 10

Image of bats and his reaction to them

Answer 10

He felt the bats’ uncertain staggering flight, his shuddering insights, beyond his control, touching him

Question 11

Epiphany in final line as decides to go home

Answer 11

But it took him a long time to finally make up his mind to go home

Question 12

Quote showing Prodigal chose this life

Answer 12

he thought he might almost endure his exile yet another year or more

Question 13

Quote proving he is isolated from pigs in second stanza

Answer 13

The pigs stuck out their little feet and snored

Question 14

Walking on one of these is precarious if you are drunk or hungover

Answer 14

Carrying a bucket along a slimy board

Question 15

Examples of precise description

Answer 15

• brown enormous odor
• The floor was rotten
• Carrying a bucket along a slimy board,/he felt the bats’ uncertain staggering flight
• plastered halfway up with glass-smooth dung
• the sunrise glazed the barnyard mud with red

Question 16

Examples of unusual imagery

Answer 16

• plastered halfway up with glass-smooth dung
• safe and companionable as in the Ark
• The lantern - like the sun, going away–/laid on the mud a pacing aureole

Question 17

Quote that shows he can still recognise beauty

Answer 17

the sunrise glazed the barnyard mud with red/ the burning puddles seemed to reassure

Question 18

Quote indicating a change of tone

Answer 18

But evenings as the first star came to warn

Question 19

Quote showing that he sees the pigs as companions

Answer 19

Light-lashed, self-righteous, above moving snouts,
the pigs’ eyes followed him, a cheerful stare

Question 20

Examples of biblical imagery

Answer 20

• But evenings the first star came to warn
• safe and companionable as in the Ark
• The lantern - like the sun, going away -/ laid on the mud a pacing aureole

Question 21

Symbols of hope

Answer 21

• a pacing aureole
• the first star came to warn

Question 22

Examples of vivid imagery

Answer 22

• The brown enormous odor he lived by was too close
• plastered halfway up with glass-smooth dung
• the sunrise glazed the barnyad mud with red; / the burning puddles seemed to reassure
• The lantern - like the sun, going away

Question 23

Example of synaesthesia

Answer 23

• glass-smooth dung
• brown enormous odor

Question 24

Quote demonstrating theme of nature

Answer 24

• The sunrise glazed the barnyard mud with red
• Light lashed, self-righteous

Question 25

Quote demonstrating theme of human spirit

Answer 25

he almost thought he might endure his exile yet another year or more

Question 26

Quote demonstrating theme of travel/home/exile

Answer 26

But it took him a long time to
Finally make up his mind to go home