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GCSE Poetry - good quotes/interpretations
I have set this thread up so that people who come up with any gems of quotation interpretation (if that makes sense) can write it down on this thread. This is then aimed at then being able to write some decent revision notes on the wiki page.
If you put the title of the poem then say what you have to say about it so that it is easy to write the notes when I ( or anyone else that wants to) comes round to doing it.
So any thing goes:-
If you put the title of the poem then say what you have to say about it so that it is easy to write the notes when I ( or anyone else that wants to) comes round to doing it.
So any thing goes:-
Scroll to see replies
I have no quotation interpretations but I do have a quote which I do wish for people to know and to know if it is good or not. ok ready: "Ignorance in death with a heartbeat."
It is from no poem, or any that I am aware of. I a tendency to write down "quotes" that come to mind all over any part of glass in my house, and this one came to mind (along with dozens more). The quote is pretty generic and strait forward, it can be expanded on and writing down what it means in more detail, but I already know what it means 
Here is a little poem...well it might not be a poem entirely because it came from a novel but it is such a nice little verse. I guess it can also be a quote
I am the boy
That can enjoy,
Invisibility.
James Joyce, from the novel Ulysses. You have any good quotes or any poems that are good? I enjoy reading quotes and poems.
Here is a little poem...well it might not be a poem entirely because it came from a novel but it is such a nice little verse. I guess it can also be a quote
I am the boy
That can enjoy,
Invisibility.
James Joyce, from the novel Ulysses. You have any good quotes or any poems that are good? I enjoy reading quotes and poems.
This one is by Carol Ann Duffy from the poem Adultery:
"You are naked under your clothes all day"
The whole poem treats the theme of adultery from the perspective of how sex can be used to cover up loneliness, vulnerability and decrepitude. Thus, most of the images and metaphors have a double meaning that can be read as either sexual connotations or cover-ups for the nostalgia of better days. In the case of this visual metaphor, the author both implies the underlying sexuality in everyday activities, as the person performs his daily activities conscious of a latent sensuality beneath every action; but it can also mean, however, the vulnerability hidden behind a layer of "clothes" that covers up the fragility of the person the poem refers to, turning adultery into the clothes that hide the fragile truth.
"You are naked under your clothes all day"
The whole poem treats the theme of adultery from the perspective of how sex can be used to cover up loneliness, vulnerability and decrepitude. Thus, most of the images and metaphors have a double meaning that can be read as either sexual connotations or cover-ups for the nostalgia of better days. In the case of this visual metaphor, the author both implies the underlying sexuality in everyday activities, as the person performs his daily activities conscious of a latent sensuality beneath every action; but it can also mean, however, the vulnerability hidden behind a layer of "clothes" that covers up the fragility of the person the poem refers to, turning adultery into the clothes that hide the fragile truth.
Ok, well the poem is by Jonathan Swift, called The Progress of Beauty (1719) and the quote is:
"To see her from her Pillow rise
All reeking in a cloudy Steam,
Crackt Lips, foul Teeth, and gummy Eyes,
Poor Strephon, how would he blaspheme!"
This poem is (as with many of Swift's poems ie. A Beautiful Young Nymph Going to Bed and Phillis, Or, the Progress of Love) simply a way of Swift having an opportunity to demean the entire female sex, based on their superficial obsessity with appearance and their naivete. He tends to not only criticise them, but provides multiple interpretations of the underlying reason of why they have to live such a nonsensical life. Isit the uncaring society? The men?
I hope that this is kind of helpful
!!
"To see her from her Pillow rise
All reeking in a cloudy Steam,
Crackt Lips, foul Teeth, and gummy Eyes,
Poor Strephon, how would he blaspheme!"
This poem is (as with many of Swift's poems ie. A Beautiful Young Nymph Going to Bed and Phillis, Or, the Progress of Love) simply a way of Swift having an opportunity to demean the entire female sex, based on their superficial obsessity with appearance and their naivete. He tends to not only criticise them, but provides multiple interpretations of the underlying reason of why they have to live such a nonsensical life. Isit the uncaring society? The men?
I hope that this is kind of helpful
!!
westlake
Is anyone else studying Best Words for Eng Lit GCSE?
I did Best Words for GCSE, is there any particular poem you wanted help with/advice on?
Ok, I was in a revision class a week ago and we were doing Limbo and I had a massive brainwave:-
If we are to take the two different types of text as two different sets of people, the normal texts represent the white slave masters and the italics represent the slaves, then as the italics disappears, you could reason that it shows the end of segregation in the US and the merging of the two cultures.
If we are to take the two different types of text as two different sets of people, the normal texts represent the white slave masters and the italics represent the slaves, then as the italics disappears, you could reason that it shows the end of segregation in the US and the merging of the two cultures.
Here are some of my notes which I had on the laptop. I'll type them all up properly after my exams. I hope they help!
Limbo
Description: Description of the limbo stick is important as it reflects the feelings of the slaves. Overall, there isn’t that much in depth description, and where there is description, it’s symbolic of the slave trade.
Language: Repetition of the “chorus” provides the bass rhythm of the poem, and sounds much like a tribal chant, typical of African culture. Repetition of “limbo, limbo, like me” sounds as though the slave is asking the reader to put himself into his shoes. Rhyme is also abundant such as “ready” and “steady” which emphasizes the culture of the slaves, showing that it is a percussive poem. Onomatopoeia of “drum, stick, knock” could reflect the cries of the people, as they are being whipped and chained.
Imagery: Imagery of the slaves is shown in this poem. “Long dark night” presents imagery of darkness, perhaps hinting that this journey is everlasting for the slaves and they will never escape. “hot slow step” presents imagery of a heaven, because they are going up a “step” so are rising, but as the step is “hot” it could suggest that racism is still present. The “burning ground” is symbolic of the life the slaves lead. The “burning” implies that they will forver be scarred from this experience.
Structure: The structure of the poem is quite random, suggesting that everyone is vulnerable and you never know who will be taken into slavery next. The short lines, repetition of the “chorus” throughout are all important in the structure of the poem.
Nothing’s Changed
Description: Lots of description in this poem of: The area of “district six”, the contrasting restaurants, and description of his feelings towards the people and the area.
Language: Onomatopoeia in stanza 1 helps the reader to re create the atmosphere in their mind, for example “crunch” and “cans”. Repetition of “and” build up tension, showing the poets anger. Alliteration makes specific images stand out, this emphasising the difference between black and white in Africa. Use of “we” shows that the Black people are in fact a community, and will forever be together, united. “The single rose” symbolises the white people; lonely, sad yet having a high status. This contrasts with the “amiable weeds” which represent the black people. Contrast in use of language. Very elegant language used to describe the white people’s restaurant-“up, market haute cuisine”, whereas the “bunny chows” and “plastic table top” makes the black people sound rather cheap and tacky. The “glass” represents the divide between black and white, and the material chosen shows that it can be easily smashed, yet the white people want to keep the divide.
Imagery: Imagery of the land is shown through onomatopoeia and monosyllabic words in the first stanza. Imagery of the restaurants, and of course, imagery of his anger is shown in the last stanza that has been building up ever since the beginning.
Structure: Made up of 6 regular stanzas, which could reflect the repetition of the divide, showing that it will never change. Lines 25 and 26 are structurally separate from the rest of the poem for a reason, showing that the whites will always be separate from the blacks.
Limbo
Description: Description of the limbo stick is important as it reflects the feelings of the slaves. Overall, there isn’t that much in depth description, and where there is description, it’s symbolic of the slave trade.
Language: Repetition of the “chorus” provides the bass rhythm of the poem, and sounds much like a tribal chant, typical of African culture. Repetition of “limbo, limbo, like me” sounds as though the slave is asking the reader to put himself into his shoes. Rhyme is also abundant such as “ready” and “steady” which emphasizes the culture of the slaves, showing that it is a percussive poem. Onomatopoeia of “drum, stick, knock” could reflect the cries of the people, as they are being whipped and chained.
Imagery: Imagery of the slaves is shown in this poem. “Long dark night” presents imagery of darkness, perhaps hinting that this journey is everlasting for the slaves and they will never escape. “hot slow step” presents imagery of a heaven, because they are going up a “step” so are rising, but as the step is “hot” it could suggest that racism is still present. The “burning ground” is symbolic of the life the slaves lead. The “burning” implies that they will forver be scarred from this experience.
Structure: The structure of the poem is quite random, suggesting that everyone is vulnerable and you never know who will be taken into slavery next. The short lines, repetition of the “chorus” throughout are all important in the structure of the poem.
Nothing’s Changed
Description: Lots of description in this poem of: The area of “district six”, the contrasting restaurants, and description of his feelings towards the people and the area.
Language: Onomatopoeia in stanza 1 helps the reader to re create the atmosphere in their mind, for example “crunch” and “cans”. Repetition of “and” build up tension, showing the poets anger. Alliteration makes specific images stand out, this emphasising the difference between black and white in Africa. Use of “we” shows that the Black people are in fact a community, and will forever be together, united. “The single rose” symbolises the white people; lonely, sad yet having a high status. This contrasts with the “amiable weeds” which represent the black people. Contrast in use of language. Very elegant language used to describe the white people’s restaurant-“up, market haute cuisine”, whereas the “bunny chows” and “plastic table top” makes the black people sound rather cheap and tacky. The “glass” represents the divide between black and white, and the material chosen shows that it can be easily smashed, yet the white people want to keep the divide.
Imagery: Imagery of the land is shown through onomatopoeia and monosyllabic words in the first stanza. Imagery of the restaurants, and of course, imagery of his anger is shown in the last stanza that has been building up ever since the beginning.
Structure: Made up of 6 regular stanzas, which could reflect the repetition of the divide, showing that it will never change. Lines 25 and 26 are structurally separate from the rest of the poem for a reason, showing that the whites will always be separate from the blacks.
thanks for that piece_by_piece, very useful!
Thanks whoever repped me. If you want I'll make some more brief notes on the culture poems now that I have like an hours free time?
Island Man
Description: Note how the poet contrasts the description of the Caribbean to the description of London. This represents his contrasting feelings between his homeland and where he lives now.
Language: Repetition is used, for example “groggily groggily” and “muffling muffling” which could show that there is an aura of repetition if you live in London. Rhyme of “soar” and “roar” when describing London suggests that life in London is circular and Island man always sees the same things, the same people etc. Colour used is also important. The contrast of the “blue surf” to the “grey metallic soar” of London. The colour blue is often associated with calmness, the tropical island, where as grey is dull and boring. Alliteration of “sun surfacing defiantly” makes the imagery more dramatic and could possibly link to Island man’s defiance (he refuses to forget his homeland).
Imagery: Imagery of the Caribbean vs. imagery of London. Again, this is shown through the contrast in colour. “Small emerald island” presents the Caribbean as being very special to him, something he will never forget, whereas the “surge of wheels” is typical of London, implying the hordes of cars and machinery.
Structure: The structure is really quite random. Notice the separation of “groggily groggily” and “to surge of wheels”. This could show that reality will forever be separate from his imagination, and he can never truly return to the Caribbean. Also, there is a lack of punctuation, and the final line “Another London day” is separate from the rest of the poem, showing that he has left his dreams.
Description: Note how the poet contrasts the description of the Caribbean to the description of London. This represents his contrasting feelings between his homeland and where he lives now.
Language: Repetition is used, for example “groggily groggily” and “muffling muffling” which could show that there is an aura of repetition if you live in London. Rhyme of “soar” and “roar” when describing London suggests that life in London is circular and Island man always sees the same things, the same people etc. Colour used is also important. The contrast of the “blue surf” to the “grey metallic soar” of London. The colour blue is often associated with calmness, the tropical island, where as grey is dull and boring. Alliteration of “sun surfacing defiantly” makes the imagery more dramatic and could possibly link to Island man’s defiance (he refuses to forget his homeland).
Imagery: Imagery of the Caribbean vs. imagery of London. Again, this is shown through the contrast in colour. “Small emerald island” presents the Caribbean as being very special to him, something he will never forget, whereas the “surge of wheels” is typical of London, implying the hordes of cars and machinery.
Structure: The structure is really quite random. Notice the separation of “groggily groggily” and “to surge of wheels”. This could show that reality will forever be separate from his imagination, and he can never truly return to the Caribbean. Also, there is a lack of punctuation, and the final line “Another London day” is separate from the rest of the poem, showing that he has left his dreams.
Blessing
Description: Description of the people crowding over the water, and the children at the end is important because it reflects how their culture is dependent on water.
Language: The similie “cracks like a pod” is the first thing we notice in the poem. The onomatopoeia of cracks is also important as it emphasises the dryness of their skin as well as the lack of water. The alliteration of “small splash” and the word “drip” appeals to the reader’s senses, and makes us feel quite lucky as we have a lot of water. “The voice of a kindly god” has religious connotations and conveys the message that water is so very important to those people. Note the lower case “g” on “god” showing that they worship a general god. The “silver crashes to the ground” is a metaphor for the water that shows how valuable it is to the people. The enjambment of “rush of fortune” represents the flow of water. The people are described as a “congregation” which again has religious connotations. The last stanza is all about the children, which appeals to the reader, because they shouldn’t have to suffer a lack of water. The metaphor “liquid sun” is representative of the water and shows their need for it.
Imagery: Religious imagery is abundant in this poem. Imagery of people getting water and the imagery of children at the end “screaming” which shows their excitement at having water; this is most probably because water is so rare.
Structure: The unrhymed lines imply natural speech, so Dharker is telling the reader what it is like to not have water. Different stanza lengths reflect the people’s reactions, so for example stanza three is the longest because everything is so busy. Enjambment of “the sudden rush of fortune”.
Description: Description of the people crowding over the water, and the children at the end is important because it reflects how their culture is dependent on water.
Language: The similie “cracks like a pod” is the first thing we notice in the poem. The onomatopoeia of cracks is also important as it emphasises the dryness of their skin as well as the lack of water. The alliteration of “small splash” and the word “drip” appeals to the reader’s senses, and makes us feel quite lucky as we have a lot of water. “The voice of a kindly god” has religious connotations and conveys the message that water is so very important to those people. Note the lower case “g” on “god” showing that they worship a general god. The “silver crashes to the ground” is a metaphor for the water that shows how valuable it is to the people. The enjambment of “rush of fortune” represents the flow of water. The people are described as a “congregation” which again has religious connotations. The last stanza is all about the children, which appeals to the reader, because they shouldn’t have to suffer a lack of water. The metaphor “liquid sun” is representative of the water and shows their need for it.
Imagery: Religious imagery is abundant in this poem. Imagery of people getting water and the imagery of children at the end “screaming” which shows their excitement at having water; this is most probably because water is so rare.
Structure: The unrhymed lines imply natural speech, so Dharker is telling the reader what it is like to not have water. Different stanza lengths reflect the people’s reactions, so for example stanza three is the longest because everything is so busy. Enjambment of “the sudden rush of fortune”.
wow well done peice..
at this rate i think im gna pass englsh
lol
at this rate i think im gna pass englsh
lol
Just linked to what piece said about Blessing's structure, the lack of regularity within the stanza length/line length could be symbolic of how uncommon it is for the main municipial pipe to burst, and therefore, unfortunately, how uncommon it is for them to have clean water. This gives the poem a sense of poignancy, as we all take water for granted in Western society.
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