Winter Swans By Owen Sheers Flashcards

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1
Q

Form of the poem

A

Mostly written in tercetos (three line stanzas)-makes each stanza look unbalanced
Uneven lines and lack of rhyme scheme-feeling of disjointedness (troubled nature of the relationship )
Enjambment reflects its continuity
Final stanza is a couplet

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2
Q

Structure of the poem

A

Narrator and his partner are separated for the first 5 stanzas, but reunite in the final 2 stanzas
Swans provide a turning point at stanza 3

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3
Q

Effects of natural imagery in the poem

A

Reflects the struggles in their relationship and then improves
Swans are a metaphor for their relationship

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4
Q

Effects of direct speech

A

Small piece of dialogue, shifts focus back onto the couple

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5
Q

Quotes to learn

A
“The waterlogged earth”
“Gulping for breath at our feet”
“Tipping in unison”
“Icebergs of white feathers”
“Our hands....folded...like a pair of wings settling after flight”
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6
Q

“Settling after flight “

A

Shows that change in the couples attitudes-solved their problems

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7
Q

“Icebergs”

A

Metaphor

More underneath suggests the couple have strong foundations

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8
Q

“Gulping for breath”

A

Implies struggle and desperation for their relationship

Personification

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