Twin Towers Draft

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Poem explores disturbing and shocking effects of 9/11 terrorist attack

Techniques such as vivid imagery and structure show impact and full horrors of terrorism

Throughout the poem, directly addressed as reader to sympathise for these innocent people who lost their life in the tragedy

Question 2

Paragraph 1

Answer 2

Opening stanza shows full extent of terrorist attack on World Trade Center

Repetition: “For the” on first five lines emphasises the scope of damage on building

Key places such as the famous artwork: “Mirό three-ton tapestry” and the restaurant: “Windows on the World” were both obliterated

Climax to remind reader: “there was suddenly no more time…there was suddenly no more space” create a sense of urgency which is anticipated by oncoming attack

Direct address: “my friends” appeals directly to reader, encouraging us to reflect on these devastating events alongside him

Question 3

Paragraph 2

Answer 3

Second stanza graphically depicts savage nature of planes hitting Twin Towers

Effectively puts us at centre of destruction: “my dears” creates an intimate tone

Vivid language conveys brutal onslaught: “twisted metal, scalding jet fuel”

Shows confused emotions of victims who reacted with “baffled frenzy”

Mood becomes sorrowful as he focuses on anonymous individuals: “escaped stumbling down stairwells”

“accurate blaze of impact” intent of attacks creates sinister tone

Question 4

Paragraph 3

Answer 4

Final stanza develops idea of compassion for those who suffered

“like the broken comb of a geisha girl” simile compares beautiful geisha girl with horrific scene

Comb suggests the fragility of “ruined shell of half a tower”

“stood rakish against the sky” suggests defiance in remains of tower and that they stand despite attack (America)

Mood darkens as synecdoche: “two thousand heads” suggests victims are now dehumanised and no longer whole

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

We feel deeply sorry for those who lost their lives in attack

His vivid imagery clearly shows how brutal it must have been for these people

Use of direct address puts us in their shoes to sympathise with him