The Woodspurge

Question 1

Meaning:

Answer 1

The poem has been written to describe a personal experience, while wandering in deep depression and what he does to try and recover

Question 2

Poet

Answer 2

Poem written after the death of his wife and child, grief and depression.

Question 3

First Stanza

Answer 3

Wind in the poem shows change. Poem has antitheses the poet says the wind stirred and yet was still. Metaphorically shows absences of inspiration/change in life, a lack of energy/purpose. Wind -family life, fixation over his loss.

Question 4

Second Stanza

Answer 4

Grief overcoming his entire body and is exposed to the elements, reinforces lack of purpose/direction, doesn’t care. Jagged rhyme, shows realisation

Question 5

Third Stanza

Answer 5

‘Among those few out of the sun’, from desperation hope is sprung he sees the Woodspurge knows God is with him in his grief. Trying to sooth his grief by focussing on religion.

Question 6

Forth Stanza

Answer 6

That profound wisdom comes out of grief inspired by the Woodspurge he is reminded of the divine and his faith is reborn

Question 7

Cup if three significance

Answer 7

Father, son holy spirit - Religion

Him, wife, child - reason for grief