Walkng Away

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

Mother died when he was young brought up by father
Poetry often romantic uses nature to explore personal experiences
Poem about his son from first marriage

Question 2

Title

Answer 2

Slightly ambiguous not clear who or why someone is walking away

Question 3

Stanza 1

Answer 3

Sets out in first line that it’s a memory from ‘eighteen years ago’ indicated its a poignant memory reminiscent of son
‘Leaves just turning’ pathetic fallacy symbolic of change of season time of ageing and change new beginning of school year with ‘touch lines new ruled’ simile used to compare son to satellite ‘wrenched from its orbit’
‘Drifting away
Line physically drifts through an enjambment into stanza 2

Question 4

Stanza 2

Answer 4

Son ‘behind scatter it boys’ rather than in front led by others scatter sense of unpredictable behaviour
Father described emotion as a ‘pathos’ sympathy for ‘half fledged thing’ who’s now in ‘wilderness’ apprehension for vulnerable son who’s ’gait’ is unsteady and unsure. Inability to find a ‘path’ adds to satellite imagery of child without anchor rooting them to ground- imagery full of frigate constants

Question 5

Stanza 3

Answer 5

Simile likens son to ‘winged seed’ furthering image of something without control purpose aimlessly meandering
Metaphor for cycle of life. Events portrayed as ‘scorching ordeals’ - burning scarring, pieces together with ‘fire ones irresolute clay’ compares human experiences to shaping of clay
Before it can be changed like people but when painful events happen they ‘fire’ or harden leave permanent marks

Question 6

Stanza 4

Answer 6

Begins with lighter more contemplative tone ‘gnaws’ exposes persistent raw pain father feels poet reflects this pain is sigh of deep love that means wanting to see child grow and become independent

Question 7

Structure

Answer 7

Rhyme scheme- consistent shows close relationship making it more hard for father to let go
Semantic field of distance and repetition of away- shows son is left reliant ‘drifting away’ ‘walking away’ ‘eddying away’
Semantic field of nature- shows son drifting away is inevitable, natural ‘leaves’ ‘wilderness’ ‘winged seed’