Gcse english analysis

hi , how could I improve my English literature and language analysis for example in poetry when I look at the phrases in the stanzas how can I articulate good analysis which is at grade 9 level ???

Reply 1

DerDracologe

17

The best thing to do is to pick out quotations where you can analyse the whole phrase (linking to themes for example), find language techniques to discuss and also zoom in on individual words in a phrase. Does that make sense? I can given an example if needed 🙂

Reply 2

N1c0l3z

OP

10

Original post by DerDracologe

The best thing to do is to pick out quotations where you can analyse the whole phrase (linking to themes for example), find language techniques to discuss and also zoom in on individual words in a phrase. Does that make sense? I can given an example if needed 🙂

yes that makes sense, thank you! But could you provide an example please?

Reply 3

DerDracologe

17

Original post by N1c0l3z

yes that makes sense, thank you! But could you provide an example please?

Sure!
Example from Thirteen by Caleb Femi:
A key theme explored by Femi in the poem is loss of innocence. To begin with the speaker is disbelieving when he encounters the police officers. This can be seen in the quotation ‘You’ll laugh./Thirteen, you’ll tell him: you’re thirteen.’ Here the repetition of ‘thirteen’ is used to emphasise the speaker’s young age, this allows the reader to understand that this is likely his first time in such an encounter and perhaps even feel protective over him despite his initial lack of concern when approached. The direct address used involves the reader, it makes them feel as though they are experiencing the encounter along with the speaker- this could have the impact of making the reader feel more deeply about the message being voiced.

(edited 1 week ago)

Reply 4

DerDracologe

17

Another example (same poem):
A final theme portrayed in ‘Thirteen’ is past vs future. This can be seen in the contrast between the quotations ‘you were all supernovas,/ the biggest and brightest stars’ and ‘dying stars on the verge of becoming black holes’. This could be interpreted as Femi voicing the struggles with black youths face as they grow up- authority figures in some cases have increased prejudice toward members of the black community when they become teenagers or adults. The alliteration shown in the italic phase ‘biggest and brightest stars’ shows that when the speaker was younger, he felt included in the message of infinite aspiration and hope spread during his school assembly. The juxtaposition between that earlier imagery and hope and the comparison to a ‘black hole’ shows that the speaker is feeling the terrible impacts of discrimination due to stereotyping. This could make a reader feel frustrated at the inequality illustrated, perhaps motivating them to try and make a different to the challenges minority communities can face. The metaphor of the speaker’s future being a ‘black hole’ shows that the interaction with the police has him feeling as though his future shall be bleak and dark as opposed to his past in which warm and inclusive attitudes were shown toward him in primary school.

Reply 5

N1c0l3z

OP

10

Original post by DerDracologe

Another example (same poem):
A final theme portrayed in ‘Thirteen’ is past vs future. This can be seen in the contrast between the quotations ‘you were all supernovas,/ the biggest and brightest stars’ and ‘dying stars on the verge of becoming black holes’. This could be interpreted as Femi voicing the struggles with black youths face as they grow up- authority figures in some cases have increased prejudice toward members of the black community when they become teenagers or adults. The alliteration shown in the italic phase ‘biggest and brightest stars’ shows that when the speaker was younger, he felt included in the message of infinite aspiration and hope spread during his school assembly. The juxtaposition between that earlier imagery and hope and the comparison to a ‘black hole’ shows that the speaker is feeling the terrible impacts of discrimination due to stereotyping. This could make a reader feel frustrated at the inequality illustrated, perhaps motivating them to try and make a different to the challenges minority communities can face. The metaphor of the speaker’s future being a ‘black hole’ shows that the interaction with the police has him feeling as though his future shall be bleak and dark as opposed to his past in which warm and inclusive attitudes were shown toward him in primary school.