Topic Sentences

Question 1

Love in a Life (1)

Answer 1

The passionate, erotic connotations of the poem make it extremely impactful.

Question 2

Love in a Life (2)

Answer 2

The concept of the man “hunting” the woman in this chase is dramatically compelling.

Question 3

Love in a Life (3)

Answer 3

The sinister connotations of the poem, including the idea of the man performing unwanted advances adds another layer of ambiguity to the poem.

Question 4

Waterfall (1)

Answer 4

The passage of time is presented is presented in numerous ways, from its speed to the moments when it seems to slow.

Question 5

Waterfall (2)

Answer 5

Beauty in life is fleeting, especially the beauty of nature, and this concept is presented effectively.

Question 6

Waterfall (3)

Answer 6

The relationship of the man and woman in this poem is particularly striking, particularly how it changes.

Question 7

Rhyme of the Dead Self (1)

Answer 7

The speaker’s contempt and desire for separation from his former self is terrifyingly compelling,

Question 8

Rhyme of the Dead Self (2)

Answer 8

The violent, animalistic imagery that the poet deploys to portray the speaker’s disdain is aggressive.

Question 9

Rhyme of the Dead Self (3)

Answer 9

The concept of the speaker being a different person from his former self and his triumph in shedding the “snakeskin” is dramatically effective.

Question 10

I Hear an Army (1)

Answer 10

The speaker’s mental turmoil is effectively conveyed through auditory emphasis and violent, warlike imagery.

Question 11

I Hear an Army (2)

Answer 11

The concept of liminality is enhanced by repeated dreamlike/supernatural imagery.

Question 12

I Hear an Army (3)

Answer 12

The desperation of the ending is ambiguously impactful, and shifts the poem from violence to love.

Question 13

After (1)

Answer 13

The use of positive, happy imagery to convey the speaker’s joyous imagery is expertly intertwined with negative connotations.

Question 14

After (2)

Answer 14

The poet actively conveys the inconsistencies in the passage of time, through the speaker’s expression of his misfortune.

Question 15

After (3)

Answer 15

The hyperbolic last stanza seems almost separate from the rest of the poem, as the speaker despairs.

Question 16

Rooms (1)

Answer 16

The speaker conveys her infinite descent into depression as she desires to release herself from her ceaseless pain.

Question 17

Rooms (2)

Answer 17

The limitations of the speaker’s life are effectively conveyed through restricting language.

Question 18

Rooms (3)

Answer 18

The speaker’s consistent subversion of our expectations and the finality of the poem are both emotionally impactful.

Question 19

Verses written… (1)

Answer 19

The speaker’s loving relationship with her husband is expressed intimately at the outset, despite his absence from most of the poem.

Question 20

Verses written… (2)

Answer 20

The speaker’s characterisation of death is though-provoking, as she seems to compare it with her husband.

Question 21

Verses written… (3)

Answer 21

Her final words/orders to her husband who will grieve are saddening yet seem to resolve the poem’s issues.

Question 22

Essay on Criticism (1)

Answer 22

The intoxicating nature of learning is noted by the speaker as he instructs us in this didactic poem.

Question 23

Essay on Criticism (2)

Answer 23

The warnings against youthful recklessness are rife, as he cautions us against being too eager to dive into the unknown.

Question 24

Essay on Criticism (3)

Answer 24

The speaker’s final lesson of the endless nature of learning both inspires us and reminds us of our mortal limitations.

Question 25

Stanzas written… (1)

Answer 25

The speaker’s focus on nature and the way in which it is personified is especially impactful.

Question 26

Stanzas written… (2)

Answer 26

The speaker’s use of contrast (such as the inversion of stanza 1) and his self-centred nature evoke both sympathy and frustration.

Question 27

Stanzas written… (3)

Answer 27

The speaker’s imagination of his own death and his desire to leave a mark is inspiring and hopeful.

Question 28

The Forsaken Wife (1)

Answer 28

The opposition the speaker creates between herself and men as a whole is impactful, via the concept of moral strength vs infidelity.

Question 29

The Forsaken Wife (2)

Answer 29

The overall characterisation of men, speaking of them as a collective, is bitter and fierce, showing her resentment for the manner in which women are treated.

Question 30

The Forsaken Wife (3)

Answer 30

Her feminist ideals that are presented are impactful, going against societal expectation in a powerful way.

Question 31

Nearing Forty (1)

Answer 31

The contrast of inspiration in youth compared to old age and the importance of John Figueroa in this poem cannot be understated.

Question 32

Nearing Forty (2)

Answer 32

Figueroa’s expert ability to find inspiration out of dull, household objects is the speaker’s tribute to his former mentor.

Question 33

Nearing Forty (3)

Answer 33

Amidst the solemnity of the speaker as he approaches middle age, the speaker conveys some hope towards the end, as age may sharpen his creativity despite dimming his passion.

Question 34

The Character of a Happy Life (1)

Answer 34

The importance of religion and freedom of thought is emphasised throughout this didactic poem.

Question 35

The Character of a Happy Life (2)

Answer 35

The speaker carefully cautions us against falling for false flattery and the dangers that come with temptation and arrogance.

Question 36

The Character of a Happy Life (3)

Answer 36

The importance of simplicity is also highlighted by the speaker, along with the idea that happiness is unattainable and one must find middle ground.

Question 37

I Find No Peace (1)

Answer 37

The speaker’s inner conflict and self-hatred are emphasised via a series of antitheses and powerful statements of intent.

Question 38

I Find No Peace (2)

Answer 38

The speaker’s unnatural reaction to being in love is moving and slightly hyperbolic, as it imprisons him despite his assurance that he is not physically shackled.

Question 39

I Find No Peace (3)

Answer 39

The enormous emphasis on contrast cannot be understated - the poem is full of contradictions.

Question 40

Now Let No Charitable Hope (1)

Answer 40

The bleak outlook of women in society is impactful as she reflects on her own experiences of being “hard beset”.

Question 41

Now Let No Charitable Hope (2)

Answer 41

The speaker’s unremitting defiance to conform is inspiring, showing how she can stand firm against the hardships that come with being a woman.

Question 42

Now Let No Charitable Hope (3)

Answer 42

The element of optimism throughout the poem is refreshing, as joy never eludes the speaker in the face of adversity.