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English Fal Poetry 2024
English Fal Poetry 2024
Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) Grade 12 English First Additional
Language Mind the Gap study guide for the Poetry: Voice of the land by B. Walters.
This publication has a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Sharealike Licence. You
can use, modify, upload, download, and share content, but you must acknowledge the
Department of Basic Education, the authors and contributors. If you make any changes to the
content, you must send the changes to the Department of Basic Education. This content may not
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please see: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/.
ISBN
Acknowledgments
All reasonable steps were taken to acknowledge the sources used in this study guide. In the event of any
omission or error in the acknowledgments, kindly bring this to the attention of the Department of Basic
Education.
The extracts from the Short Stories in this study guide are from Changes
by B. Walters
Production co-ordinators:
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Ministerial Foreword
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has pleasure in releasing the second edition
of the Mind the Gap study guides for Grade 12 learners. These study guides continue
the innovative and committed attempt by the DBE to improve the academic performance
of Grade 12 candidates in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination.
The study guides have been written by teams of experts comprising teachers, examiners,
moderators, subject advisors and co-ordinators. Research, which began in 2012, has
shown that the Mind the Gap series has, without doubt, had a positive impact on grades.
It is my fervent wish that the Mind the Gap study guides take us all closer to ensuring
that no learner is left behind, especially as we celebrate 20 years of democracy.
The second edition of Mind the Gap is aligned to the 2014 Curriculum and Assessment
Policy Statement (CAPS). This means that the writers have considered the National
Policy pertaining to the programme, promotion requirements and protocols for
assessment of the National Curriculum Statement for Grade 12 in 2014.
The Mind the Gap CAPS study guides take their brief in part from the 2013 National
Diagnostic report on learner performance and draw on the Grade 12 Examination
Guidelines. Each of the Mind the Gap study guides defines key terminology and offers
simple explanations and examples of the types of questions learners can expect to be
asked in an examination. Marking memoranda are included to assist learners to build
their understanding. Learners are also referred to specific questions from past national
exam papers and examination memoranda that are available on the Department’s
website – www.education.gov.za.
The CAPS editions include Accounting, Economics, Geography, Life Sciences,
Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Physical Sciences. The series is produced in
both English and Afrikaans. There are also nine English First Additional Language
(EFAL) study guides. These include EFAL Paper 1 (Language in Context); EFAL Paper
3 (Writing) and a guide for each of the Grade 12 prescribed literature set works included
in Paper 2. These are Short Stories, Poetry, Cry, the Beloved Country, The strange case
of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Macbeth and My Children! My Africa! Please remember when
preparing for Paper 2 that you need only study the set works you did in your EFAL class
at school.
The study guides have been designed to assist those learners who have been
underperforming due to a lack of exposure to the content requirements of the curriculum
and aim to mind-the-gap between failing and passing, by bridging the gap in learners’
understanding of commonly tested concepts, thus helping candidates to pass.
All that is now required is for our Grade 12 learners to put in the hours required to prepare
for the examinations. Learners, make us proud - study hard. We wish each and every
one of you good luck for your Grade 12 examinations.
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Table of Contents
Item Page
Number
5
Dear Grade 12 learner
6
How to use this study guide
7
Top 7 study tips
7
On the examination day
Instructional verbs and meaning 8
11
Overview of the English First Additional Language Paper 2: Literature Exam
12
What are the examiners looking for?
Literary features found in Poems 13
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There are eight great EFAL Mind the Gap study guides which cover papers 1, 2 and 3.
Paper 2: Literature, includes the study of novels, drama, short stories and poetry. A Mind the Gap
study guide is available for each of the prescribed literature titles. Choose the study guide for the
set works you studied in your EFAL class at school.
This study guide focuses on the 10 prescribed poems examined in Paper 2: Literature. You will need
to study all 10 poems listed below for the examination.
10. 77-85
The night-jar and Inkosazana Yasezulwini – Chris Mann
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Make sure you bring pens that work, sharp pencils, an eraser and a
sharpener. Make sure you bring your smart ID card and examination
admission letter. Arrive at the examination venue at least an hour
i.
before the start of the examination.
You must know at the start of the examination which two out of the
four sections of the Paper 2 Literature Paper Examination you will be
answering. Use the 10 minutes reading time to read the instructions,
iii.
carefully.
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Manage your time carefully. Start with the question you think is the
easiest. Check how many marks are allocated to each question so you
give the right amount of information in your answer. Use the
v. suggested time allocation on the instruction page of the examination
paper.
Take care to write neatly so that the markers can read your answers
vii. easily.
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Critically discuss Express your judgement based on careful consideration of the evidence
for and against something. Discuss the limitations and merits of
something. Always provide supporting evidence from the text.
E.g. Critically discuss how Pi's comment at this point in the novel is crucial
to your understanding of his plight on the lifeboat
Discuss The term discuss, directs you to examine, analyse carefully, and present
points in favour and against an issue/point. This type of question calls for
a complete and detailed answer. The response requires you to
investigate by argument. You should sift through the arguments and the
evidence to support them, giving reasons for and against both sides and
examining the implications. You might need to provide evidence even for
the ‘side’ you do not support, using evidence from the text.
Explain/How In explanatory answers, it is important that you clarify and interpret the
material you present. In such an answer it is best to state the ‘how’ or
‘why’, reconcile any differences in opinion, and, where possible, state
causes. The aim is to make plain the circumstances which give rise to
whatever you are examining. E.g. Explain the irony in the words ...
Illustrate This question requires you to explain or clarify your answer to the
problem by using an example (in languages, this does not mean that you
should draw something).
Justify When you are instructed to justify your answer, you must prove or show
adequate grounds for a decision or conclusion by supporting it with
sufficient evidence and argument. In such a response, evidence must be
presented in convincing form.
E.g. Do you agree with the views expressed in line...? Justify your response
by drawing on the novel as a whole.
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Place in context State what had just taken place to result in what is happening in the
given extract and briefly state what happens after the given extract (the
result).
State Outline clearly and briefly the facts of the situation. This does not call for
an argument or opinion. Merely state the facts.
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In the Paper 2 Literature Examination, you need to answer questions from two sections. Choose the two
sections that you know best:
• Section A: Novel
• Section B: Drama
• Section C: Short Stories
• Section D: Poetry
A total of 70 marks is allocated for Paper 2, which means 35 marks for each section you choose. You will
have 2 ½ hours for this exam.
Here is a summary of the Paper 2 Literature Exam Paper:
SECTION A: NOVEL
SECTION B: DRAMA
3. Macbeth 35
4. My Children! My Africa! 35
SECTION D: POETRY
6.1 Poem 1 18
AND
6.2 Poem 2 17
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(time; crime)
b) Half rhyme: words do not fully rhyme but there is a
similarity in sound. (work; pitchfork)
c) Internal rhyme: a word in the middle of the verse
line, rhymes with the word at the end of the
verse line. (“In mist or cloud, on mast or
shroud,)
Rhythm A regular and repeated pattern of sounds.
Sarcasm An ironic expression which is used to be unkind or to make
fun of someone.
Simile Comparing one thing directly with another. ‘Like’ or ‘as’ is
used to make this comparison.
Symbol Something which stands for or represents something else.
Theme Themes are the main messages of a text. There are usually a
few themes in each poem.
Third person The poem is written from the point of view of ‘he’, ‘she’ or
‘they’.
Tone The feeling or atmosphere of the poem.
It is the poet’s attitude towards the subject of the poem.
The tone can only be determined once one has
examined the diction of the poem thoroughly. The tone
may also vary within a poem.
(Emotional is not an example of tone, the emotion should be
specifically stated.)
Look at the examples of tone below:
Sincere, humorous, forceful, critical, sarcastic, ironic, loving,
mocking, sentimental, joyful, melancholic, bitter, amongst
others.
Sonnet • The sonnet is probably the poetic form most commonly
used in English.
• It has fourteen lines.
• Rhymed iambic pentametre (five iambs per line).
• There are two common rhyming patterns for sonnets:
• Italian or Petrarchan
• English or Shakespearian.
Shakespearean/Elizabethan Sonnets
• The rhyme scheme of the English sonnet is abab cdcd
efef gg,
• Three quatrains (a set of four lines) and a final couplet
(two lines).
• The first two quatrains deal with a problem, then there is a
Volta, indicating a transition located between the third
stanza and the final couplet (line 13)
• The last quatrain and couplet deal with a “solution” or way
to cope.
Petrarchan/Italian Sonnets
▪ The rhyme scheme of the Italian sonnet is abbaabba
cdecde (or cdcdcd).
▪ The first eight lines are called an octave, in which a
problem or situation is presented.
▪ In the sestet or the last six lines, the problem is resolved.
▪ There is a volta (change in tone and attitude in line 9.
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Sound devices
Alliteration A pattern of words that includes the repetition of consonant
sounds. The repeated sound can be either at the beginning
of successive words or inside a word.
Assonance The vowel sounds of words that occur close together are
repeated.
Consonance A sound that occurs at the end of words that are close
together is repeated.
Onomatopoeia The use of words to create the sounds being described.
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1.Hard to find
by Sinesipo Jojo
Sinesipo Jojo was born in the Eastern Cape
(Port St Johns) in 1993. She began writing
while still at high school. She wrote this poem
while studying Psychology at a university in
Port Elizabeth.
Hard to find
by Sinesipo Jojo
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Words to know
Word Basic meaning
fly out escape/ leave
nobody’s business slang phrase meaning something is being done with
passion
provoked to be angered/annoyed/irritated/frustrated
twisted cruel
slide move smoothly/ glide
realize understand clearly/ become aware
3. Analysis
Lines 1 - 5
In line 1 and 2 the speaker highlights the abundance of words. The daily availability
of words is emphasised by the one word in line 2.
The speaker explains in lines 3 - 4 that when a person is triggered by emotion, words
are readily available (‘fly out’) as illustrated by the ellipsis after ‘provoked…’
In line 5 the speaker introduces a contradictory idea indicated by the word ‘but’.
Whereas lines 1 to 4 focus on words that come easily, the focus now shifts to
‘something hard to understand’ that the speaker is trying to figure out.
Lines 6-9
The contradictory idea is explained in lines 6 - 9 when the speaker states that in
times when a person experiences deep emotion, words are not readily available.
Lines 10-15
The idea that words are playing a cruel game of hide-and-seek is explored when the
speaker explains how the game causes sadness. The speaker’s sadness is caused
by an inability to find the right words to express their emotions. The sadness is evident
in the tears (‘raindrops’) falling from the speaker’s eyes (‘glass windows’). The speaker
is not only crying over a moment’s inability to express emotions or feelings, but over
that of a lifetime.
Despite the speaker’s sadness about this inability to express feelings, lines 14 and 15
show that there is hope that it may be different in future. The concluding single line
emphasises this hope of finding the right words to express feelings.
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4. Themes
Communication
Words are used to communicate with one another. At times, words ‘fly’ freely when
we are passionate, however, there are times we fail to speak freely as words ‘hide’
and we cannot find the right words to express how we feel.
Sadness
When the speaker is at a loss of words to express emotion, it leads to a feeling of
sadness. The ‘raindrops’ is a physical sign that the speaker experiences sadness
when the ‘heart looks sadly through the glass window’.
Metaphor
● Line 3 (‘they fly out’) - ‘fly out’ indicates a quick action. In the same way the
speaker refers to the speed with which words can be uttered, almost without
thinking.
● Line 11 (‘my heart looks … the glass window’) - the eyes are a ‘glass window’ and
the emotions the heart is feeling can be seen in a person’s eyes.
● Line 12 (‘raindrops slowly slide down’) - raindrops slide down a windowpane.
Similarly, tears are falling down the speaker’s cheeks.
● Line 13 (cloudy lifetime) - the speaker expresses how the lack of words has always
been something that prevented the full range of emotions to be expressed like
clouds hiding the brightness of the sun.
Metonymy
In the poem, ‘the heart’ refers to the speaker who is struggling to express feelings.
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ACTIVITY 1
Read the poem, ‘Hard to find’, and answer the questions below.
Hard to find
by Sinesipo Jojo
1.3 What is the role of the ellipsis at the end of line 5? (1)
(b) Explain why this figure of speech is relevant in this poem. (2)
1.5 Explain the meaning of line 12 (‘as the raindrops slowly slide down,’). (2)
A cheerful
B reflective
C blissful
D joyful
(1)
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Suggested Answers
1.1 Words come out easily ✓ when the speaker is filled with emotions of anger or
frustration. ✓ (2)
1.3 The ellipsis emphasises how difficult it is for the speaker to understand why he/she
struggles to find words when intense emotion is experienced. ✓ (1)
(b) The eyes are a window ✓ reflecting the speaker’s emotions. ✓ (2)
1.5 The speaker’s tears are rolling down ✓and this suggests that the speaker is
emotional. ✓ (2)
1.7 The speaker is pensive/thoughtful✓ and realises that her inability to find words to
express her innermost feelings, has clouded her life. ✓ (2)
1.8 One of the themes in this poem in discussion of the theme of sadness should include
the following points, among others:
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1. Summary
The poem ‘On the grasshopper and cricket’ is a Petrarchan Sonnet used by Keats to celebrate
the beauty of nature. He pays particular attention to the grasshopper and the cricket by praising
them for producing the music of nature. The octave focuses on the grasshopper as an agent of
summer while the sestet looks into the role played by the cricket. Both these insects survive the
harshest weather to fly around while producing their buzzing sounds. Both the octave and the
sestet open with a declaration that the poetry of the earth is not dead.
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Words to know
Word Basic meaning
faint feeling weak
mead meadow, a piece of grassland
delights pleasure, joy
wrought brought about
shrills produces a sharp and penetrating sound
3. Analysis
With this sonnet, the speaker celebrates the continuous beauty of nature.
As a Romantic poet, Keats praises nature and its capacity to bring joy to
people. He believes that love and nature are interconnected. He feels that
nature offers love and joy, and so humans must be receptive to that.
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Line 1
By ‘poetry of earth’, the speaker refers to the sounds made by nature. These
sounds are always alive. Even in extreme weather conditions, they do not
die. The first line is metaphoric.
Lines 2-8
In summer, when the sun is too hot, the birds find it difficult to keep to their
habits (line 2) and find comfort in the shelter of trees (line 3). However, the
grasshopper flies from one place to another (lines 3-4) and one continuously
hears a buzzing sound from all over the meadow (line 4). The grasshopper
will not stop singing. When the grasshopper is tired (‘when tired out with
fun’), he rests at ease under the weeds.
Luxury
The poet uses poetic licence in line 9 (‘The poetry of earth is ceasing never’)
to reinforce line 1 (The poetry of earth is not dead). When winter comes with
frost and snow, and when creatures hide in their homes, the sound of the
cricket will not be silenced. So, instead of growing quiet because of the cold
temperatures, the cricket will find a corner in some warm kitchen near a
stove and sing its song (‘from the stove there shrills/ A Cricket’s song’). The
artificial warmth of a small room will make people feel drowsy, thus making
the sound of the cricket seem like that of a grasshopper (lines 12-13).
In summary, the grasshopper and the cricket will survive the harshest
weather conditions, even when the other animals surrender to it. When the
other creatures feel weak because of the heat, the grasshopper continues
singing. For the grasshopper, summer is a time of joy. In summer, Nature is
alive, and the grasshopper will sing to provide music to nature. When winter
comes and creatures are hiding, the cricket will take over from the
grasshopper and sing to the world. These two insects keep the poetry of
Nature alive.
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4. Theme
Beauty of Nature
This sonnet describes the physical world and its natural beauty. We hear the voice of Nature
in the sounds made by the grasshopper and cricket. These voices speak to us, creating the
‘poetry’ of Nature. The music of Nature is always alive.
Endurance
The poetry of earth symbolises beauty and endurance. Like the poetry of the earth, Nature
endures. Conditions may be harsh, but they can be overcome. The grasshoppers sing despite
the heat and the crickets find their song, even when it is winter.
Immortality
One of the themes of this sonnet is the eternal delight of the beauty of nature. The sonnet’s
message is that beauty of nature, endurance of life and love of poetry will never die.
Repetition
Line 1 ‘The poetry of earth is never dead:’
Line 9 ‘The poetry of earth is ceasing never:’
The poet uses a declaration in the first line. This declaration that the poetry of earth is forever
and never ending is repeated to emphasise the immortality of Nature.
Imagery
Line 1 ‘The poetry of earth’ - The earth is made up of different sounds which include the calls of
birds and the buzz of insects. These sounds are the ‘voice of the earth’, which is represented as
the poetry of the earth.
Personification
Lines 10 and 11 ‘the frost has wrought a silence’ - Frost is personified as a person who brings
silence.
Contrast
In summer Nature is noisier than winter when the frost ‘has wrought a silence’. The contrast is
further emphasised by the creatures of summer who hide from the heat while the grasshopper is
having fun.
Alliteration
Line 4 ‘new-mown mead’ - Repetition of the m-sound.
Metaphor
In the octave the sound of the grasshopper represents summer, while the sound of the cricket in
the sestet represents winter.
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ACTIVITY 2
Read the poem, ‘The grasshopper and the cricket’, and answer the questions below.
(b) Quote TWO words from the poem that suggest a sense of relief from the heat
of summer. (1)
A simile.
B personification.
C onomatopoeia.
D metaphor. (1)
2.5 Explain why the poet believes the poetry of the earth is not dead. (2)
2.6 Name the insect responsible for breaking the silence in winter. (1)
2.9 What constitutes the poetry of earth? State THREE points. (3)
2.10 The poet succeeds in illustrating the commonality between the grasshopper and the
cricket.
Discuss your view. (3)
Total [19]
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Suggested Answers
2.1 This sonnet is an Italian/Petrarchan sonnet. ✓
It comprises 14 lines. ✓
The first eight lines are referred to as the octave. ✓
The last six lines are referred to as the sestet. ✓
The rhyme scheme is abba abba cde cde. ✓
(3)
2.5 The poetry of nature does not stop soothing us with its music✓. It soothes us
throughout the year irrespective of the season. ✓
(2)
2.7 The contrast is created by the birds who hide in the extreme heat while the
grasshopper is moving from hedge to hedge. ✓✓ (2)
2.8 Poetry and music in nature do not die/ The beauty of Nature/Endurance . ✓ (1)
2.9 The poetry of the earth is not written in words like normal poetry✓ but is made up of
the sounds of nature. ✓ These sounds are produced by insects. ✓ (3)
2.10 Open-ended.
Accept a relevant response which shows an understanding of the following
viewpoints, among others:
Yes.
● Both the grasshopper and the cricket represent voices in nature’s music.
● The grasshopper’s song balances the extreme heat during the summer by
providing music that is comforting and pleasing and the cricket does the same
during winter.
● In Nature, the grasshopper and the cricket are audible whereas the other
creatures are silent and hiding.
No.
● These two insects provide irritating sounds referred to as poetry.
● The sounds made by these insects keep us awake instead of awakening a
positive memory of summer.
● Not all readers will see the commonality between these insects because the
cricket is hiding in winter whereas the grasshopper is active in summer.
NOTE: You will not be awarded marks for only YES or NO.
To obtain full marks, your response must be well-substantiated.
You can score 1 or 2 marks for a response which is not well-substantiated. (3)
Your interpretation must be grounded in the text of the poem.
Total [19]
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3. Sonnet 73
by William Shakespeare
The speaker compares aging to the dusk when the sun has set in the west and introduces the
darkness of night-time in the second quatrain. Night-time is compared to death’s second self.
In the third quatrain the speaker compares aging to the coals of a fire that is about to die. He
compares old age that cannot exist without the figments of the youth to how the coals cannot
burn without the ashes.
In the couplet, the speaker advises that these things must be noted so that love can be
strengthened by the knowledge that we depart from our loved ones when life is extinguished.
Sonnet 73
by William Shakespeare
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Words to know
Word Basic meaning
bough branch of a tree
ruined reduced to a state of collapse
twilight period just before it becomes completely dark in the evening
seals a tight and perfect closure
ere before (a specified time)
3.3 Analysis
In each quatrain, the speaker uses a different image to show the progression of life from
youthfulness to old age and death. The following images have been used: In quatrain 1 the
tree, quatrain 2 the sunset and quatrain 3 the glowing fire.
Quatrain 1
In the first quatrain, the speaker compares his current state to autumn, a season when the
leaves fall from the branches. The branches shake because of the cold wind. This means that
he is getting older and losing his youth just like the trees lose their green leaves. There is a
quietness that comes with getting old when the youthful exuberance no longer exists.
Quatrain 2
In this quatrain, the speaker compares his progress towards death as moving from dusk, (after
the sun has set) to night-time. The change in the comparison from a season to a day shows
the speed with which aging affects the body.
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Quatrain 3
The third quatrain clarifies the end that the speaker talks about represents death that the
speaker is moving to. In this quatrain, the speaker’s life is compared to a fire that will soon be
extinguished. He refers to both literal death and figurative death which signifies the end of his
youth.
The Couplet
The speaker introduces the reader to the importance of love. He wants the reader to see what
life is like, so they value their time together. He reminds us that we need to love well because
we will have to leave (die) soon.
3.4 Themes
Aging
In this poem, the speaker explores what it feels like to get older and face the reality
that death is imminent. The effects of time on one’s physical health and mental fear
are compared to moving further from youth and closer to death. Part of growing old is
longing for the years gone by. Aging is also associated with a sense of peace and
calm as life begins to slow down. By comparing the speaker to a tree in late autumn
his age is revealed. However, the yellow falling leaves that shake from the cold are
clear signs that the tree is not ready for winter. The comparison of the bare branches
where the birds no longer sing to ruined churches where the choir no longer sings,
reveals how the speaker mourns the loss of his youthful appearance. The absence of
birds implies the peace and quiet that comes with old age.
Death
The speaker seems to be haunted by the inevitable truth that all living beings are
subjected to death. The poem includes several metaphors for death. In the second
quatrain the moving image of twilight fading as the sun sets in the west and turning
into darkness, symbolises the last moments of the speaker. The image of fire that is
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extinguished and turning into ashes, in the third quatrain, represents a youthful life that
is well lived. The ashes represent a beautiful life that has come to an end.
Love
In line 13 the speaker introduces the theme of love. Although love can triumph over
many obstacles, it is still limited by mortality and nature. In the poem, love is
discussed in relation to the life cycle. The speaker wants the reader to understand
that life is not too long, and it may be too late to enjoy this light feeling of love. The
speaker, therefore, advises the reader to fall in love as often as possible and to love
when possible.
Alliteration
● Line 4 ‘sweet birds sang’ - contrasts with ‘bare ruin’d choirs’. This emphasises the
change that has taken place.
● Line 7 ‘by and by black night’ - supports the feeling of death fast approaching.
● Line 8 ‘Death’s second self … up all in rest’ - links the dark hours of night to Death.
● Line 14 ‘To love that … leave ere long’ - The alliteration in this line emphasises the
strong, positive emotion of love.
Metaphor
● Line 10 ‘ashes of youth’ - The speaker compares life to fire that is burning out. His
once youthful nature has turned to ash.
● Lines 7-8 ‘Death’s second self …of such fire’ – death is compared to night.
Metonymy
● This is a figure of speech that replaces the name of things with something else with
which there is close association.
● Line 4 ‘Bare ruined choirs’ - substitute the bare branches that are stripped of their
leaves.
Simile
● Lines 5-6: ‘As after sunset …doth take away’ - The speaker compares his life to
daytime when twilight is replaced by sunset.
Symbolism
● Lines 2-4 ‘When yellow leaves…sweet birds sang.’- Trees are a symbol of life and
growth. The physical changes of the tree as the winter season sets in reflects how
the speaker’s body is degrading as death approaches.
● Lines 5-6 ‘In me thou …in the west’ - Light is a symbol for life and hope and darkness
is a symbol for death. In these lines the speaker refers to death slowly taking away
his life.
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Imagery
● The use of imagery clarifies the speaker’s feelings and emotions. In this sonnet, the
speaker has used the following images:
Images of Autumn:
Lines 2 - 3 ‘When yellow leaves,... shake against cold ’
Images of Death:
● Line 7 ‘black night’
● Line 6 ‘sunset fadeth’
Apostrophe
Line 13: ‘This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong’.
ACTIVITY 3
Read the poem, ‘Sonnet 73’, and answer the questions below.
Sonnet 73
by William Shakespeare
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(b) Explain how this literary device enhances the message of this poem. (2)
3.6 Refer to lines 8-12 (‘Death’s second self … was nourished by’).
Give ONE word which best describes the speaker’s state of mind in these lines.
3.3 The leafless branches where the birds used to sit, and sing are compared to the ruins
of the church building where the choirs once sang. ✓ ✓ (2)
3.4 The speaker compares his fast-fading life to a day when twilight is quickly replaced
by night-time. ✓✓ (2)
(b) It indicates the speed with which the twilight fades and gives way to the night. ✓
This shows how fast time flies and brings his death closer. ✓ (2)
3.8 The discussion of the theme of death should include the following points, among
others:
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● The speaker is haunted by the inevitable truth that all living beings are subject to
death.
● The moving image of twilight fading as the sun sets in the west and turning into
darkness symbolises the last moments of the speaker.
● The image of fire that is extinguished and turning into ashes, in the third quatrain,
represents a youthful life that is well lived. The ashes represent a beautiful life
that has come to an end.
3.9 Open-ended.
Accept a relevant response which shows an understanding of the following
viewpoints, among others:
Yes.
● The speaker wants the readers to see how short life is so that they value their
time together.
● He reminds us that we need to love well because we will have to leave (die)
before long.
● The couplet ends the poem with positivity and hope instead of it dwelling on
sadness and death.
No.
● The couplet has no link to the poem, it cannot be a suitable ending.
● Telling a person who is thinking of death to focus on love could be
insensitive.
● Some people do not need to be reminded of the importance of love because
love is their life.
NOTE: You will not be awarded any marks for only YES or NO.
To obtain full marks, your response must be well-substantiated.
You can score 1 or 2 marks for a response which is not well-substantiated.
Your interpretation must be grounded in the text of the poem. (3)
Total [20]
33
4. Reciprocities
by Cathal Lagan
Cathal Lagan was born in
Northern Ireland in 1937. He
served as a priest in Port
Elizabeth, Alice and King
William’s Town before teaching
English Literature at the
University of Fort Hare.
1. Summary
In this narrative free verse, the speaker reflects on how he used to help his mother during her
knitting sessions. He remembers how his mother would make him hold the skeins of wool so she
could roll it into a ball. He is also reminded of the relationship they had. He is now a writer and his
writing process reminds him of those childhood years. He compares his writing to his mother's
knitting. His mother benefitted from him just like he benefited from his mother’s experience,
commitment, talks and skill.
Reciprocities
for my mother
By Cathal Lagan
1 She gave me skeins of wool
2 To hold out (like a priest at Mass),
3 With stern rubrics not to fidget, while she
4 Wound it into a ball, unwinding me,
5 Unravelling my hands and arms, checking
6 My lapses with a gentle tug
7 When I wandered off through images
8 Her chat had made, for though
9 She kept the line between us taut
10 She kept my heart at ease with all her talk.
34
Words to know
Word Basic meaning
skeins length of thread loosely coiled or knotted
rubrics instructions on how a church service should be conducted
lapse brief or temporary loss of concentration
taut tight
compacted compressed or firmly packed together
strand a thin length of thread
faltering imperfect
3. Analysis
The speaker remembers how he helped his mother by holding the skeins of
wool to wind into a small ball so she could do her knitting. He details the
process focusing on her mother’s precision and attention to detail. He then
compares that whole process to that of him writing his poetry.
Stanza 1
In stanza one, the speaker looks at the process of winding or spinning wool
into a ball. His mother would give him skeins to hold with two hands held up
and wide apart. Holding his hands like that would make him look like a priest
at a mass (line 2). He would be given instructions to follow just like a priest
would follow instructions from the rubrics (line 3). He would be told not to
move or twitch (‘not to fidget’ in line 3). As the process goes on his head would
spin, resulting in his confusion and wandering. He would drop his hands. She
would check his concentration by pulling the strands harder (‘… checking/ My
lapses with a gentle tug’ in lines 5 and 6). If he loses concentration and his
mind starts wandering, his mother puts him at ease by talking to him.
Stanza 2
When the ball of firm, strong wool grew bigger and bigger (line 11) it is a
sign that there was no loss and they had enough for his mother to knit
something for him.
35
Stanza 3
Looking back, he now realises that his imperfect poems that he creates are
not as perfect as his mother’s knitting. His writing is like a thread that
connects him to his mother. Writing poetry always prompts his thoughts
about his mother’s knitting. ‘But’ (line 15) is used to show transition or to link
his childhood to adulthood.
4. Theme
Nostalgia
The speaker longs for the time he has spent with his mother and some of the activities they
did while being together. When he writes, he feels connected to his mother and this reinforces
the idea of nostalgia.
Mutual dependence
The mother benefits from the boy who holds the skeins of cotton for her. The boy also benefits
from spending time in his mother’s company. Her focus and creativity find its way into his
writing.
Personification
Lines 18-19 ‘A thread of memory/Time has pulled away’ - time is personified as a person who
has pulled a thread of memory away from consciousness.
Contrast
Lines 15 - 19 ‘But richer still … away from consciousness’)’ - His imperfect writing (‘faltering
verse’) forms a contrast to his mother’s perfect knitting.
36
ACTIVITY 4
Read the poem, ‘Reciprocities’, and answer the questions below.
4.3 Why does the mother check the boy’s lapses? (2)
4.7 Identify the tone the speaker uses in lines 1 to 15. (1)
4.8 Explain the role and the effectiveness of the word ‘But’ at the beginning of the third
stanza. (2)
37
Suggested Answers
4.1 This poem is a narrative poem ✓ in free verse comprising three stanzas of unequal
length. ✓ (2)
(b) The same way a priest would hold out his hands during a mass to bless
people✔, the speaker holds out his hands when assisting his mother. ✓ (2)
4.3 The boy has a tendency for his thoughts to wander ✓and that might lead to him losing
his grip. ✓ (2)
4.4 The word refers to the string he is holding as he helps his mother, ✓ and also to the
relationship they have where his mother would pull him back on track when he goes
astray. ✓ (2)
4.5 It is a sign that they have been doing this task for some time. / They have spun more
string. ✓ (1)
4.8 The word ‘But’ is transitional in its use ✓ because it links the speaker’s past to the
present. ✓ (2)
4.9 The phrase ‘these lines’ refers to the poetry that he is now writing✓ while the lines are
also associated with the thread he used to help his mother spin. ✓ (2)
Total [16]
38
39
42 Life’s a bastard
43 Toughen Up.
Words to know
Word Basic meaning
to toughen up to become hardened to the ways of the world, and to be less
emotional when dealing with pain and suffering.
complain express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something
terror extreme fear
roaming moving about aimlessly or unsystematically, especially over a
wide area
tumble move or rush in a headlong or uncontrolled way
loft a pigeon house
40
3. Analysis
Stanza 1
The poem starts with an instruction from a father to his young daughter,
‘You need to toughen up’, but the girl experiences it as a complaint about
her innocence. The father implies that the child needs to get used to the
real experiences in life in line 8 (‘what life is really like’) which implies that
she does not yet understand the intricacies of life. Furthermore, ‘really’ in
line 8 is printed in bold, emphasising the importance of his message.
Stanza 2, 3 and 4
In these three stanzas the child describes the father using another real-life
situation to teach her about the cruelty of life. He forces her to assist when
he stitches up an injured pigeon. The father uses anecdotes like ‘life is a
fight for survival’ (line 25) and ‘you gotta roll with the punches’ to get his
message across. His child experiences his tone as harsh and angry. She
feels her father forgets she is his child and not one of his students at
university.
Stanza 5
In this stanza, ‘I’ is now reduced to ‘i’ (lower case). This corresponds with
the mood of vulnerability she experiences due to the expectation she had
for ‘years and years’ (line 33) that harm will come her way one day. This
expectation is realised when she falls ill.
Stanza 6
This stand-alone line must be read in conjunction with lines 34 and 35. It
is effective that the father, who used to warn her to toughen up, is the one
to dress her wounds.
41
Stanza 7
The poet describes the way her father dresses her wounds. It is significant
because he does it in silence which contrasts with his conduct during her
childhood when he was described as loud and insensitive.
Stanza 8
These lines are effectively isolated from the previous stanza. The poet tells
us that her father is now a changed man. He believes she has received
her share of toughening up by the invasive surgery she experienced.
4. Themes
Cruelty
The father believes life is hard and he attempts to make his child aware of the harshness of life by
exposing her to events that are seen as harsh. Examples of these are chickens that are killed by
decapitation and a pigeon injured in flight that the father has to stitch up.
Fate
Fate is part of life and human beings cannot act in any way to change the outcome of what has
been planned. The father does his best to ensure that his child is aware of the cruel nature of life,
but still, when the family is faced with a medical incident that influences their lives, he is shocked.
He therefore treats her wounds in silence and realises that they are now experiencing the fact that
‘Life’s a bastard’.
Psychology of growing up
The father presents his child with many examples of how ‘Life’s a bastard’ and ‘Toughen up’ and
he repeats these words to enforce the idea that his daughter has to develop resilience to be ready
to face the cruelty of fate. The effect of his actions is that she grows up waiting for a cruel event
for ‘years and years’ to strike her. She describes fate as a predatory bird that spies on her causing
her to flinch in anticipation of the harsh event that will happen.
Resilience:
the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, toughness.
42
Personification
● Lines 10-12 (‘when one of … mad with terror’) - the pigeon is described as a crazy
or mad person. It is effective because the speaker successfully emphasises how
unsettled the pigeon was.
Contrast
● There is a contrast between stanzas 1 and 7. In stanza 1 the father is constantly
uttering lessons to ‘toughen’ her up, whereas in stanza 7 he is quiet while he is
dressing her wound.
Images
● The speaker makes use of imagery to assist the reader to understand her
emotions when she has to assist her father to stitch up the bird. She has to hold
the bird tightly, ‘clenched’, and we can picture how frightened the bird is by the
description of his ‘pumping chest’ – referring to his heartbeat. She also mentions
his ‘garotted throat’ which is a very strong image derived from strangling a victim
with a cord, thong, or length of wire. The pigeon could have blindly flown into a
wire because he was so anxious to get home (‘crazed for home’) or a hawk
looking for prey, (‘roaming’), could have sliced his neck.
● The father is also pictured vividly through the description of his ‘hairy fingers’
working ‘angrily’ to stitch the wound. He is shouting that the girl should remember
that ‘life is a fight for survival’.
Repetition
● In stanza 5, ‘waited and waited’ and ‘years and years’ are repeated to emphasise
how the girl always expected to receive a blow from the universe.
The speaker’s mood is one of anticipation as she is forever waiting on fate to deal her a blow.
ACTIVITY 3
Read the poem, ‘What life is really like’and answer the questions below.
43
42 Life’s a bastard
43 Toughen Up.
5.1 Give TWO reasons why this poem can be described as ‘free verse’. (2)
44
Name two events the father uses as examples to teach his child that life is tough. (2)
5.3 Refer to lines 11-12 (‘-crazed for home … terror from a’).
(b) Explain why this figure of speech is relevant to the poem. (2)
Quote ONE word that proves the pigeon was not coming home slowly. (1)
A alliteration.
B oxymoron.
C onomatopoeia.
D metaphor. (1)
(a) What tone would the father use in this stanza? (1)
(b) Why would the father use this tone in this stanza? (2)
(a) What is the significance of ‘i’, being used in lowercase (lines 30 and 35)? (2)
5. 8 Refer to stanza 7.
Why does the speaker describe her father’s dressing of her wound as ‘practiced’? (2)
Suggested Answers
5. 1 The stanzas differ in length ✓ and there is no fixed rhyming scheme.✓ (2)
45
(b) It effectively describes the agitated state of the pigeon after he nearly does not
make it home or is accosted by a hawk✓ by comparing him to a crazy person
who is mad with terror. ✓
(2)
5. 4 ‘tumble’✓ (1)
(b) He is adamant that his child must become stronger and face the challenges
in life. ✓
He needs her to understand that life is hard. ✓
(2)
5.7 (a) It effectively portrays her feelings of defencelessness✓ while waiting for the
arrival of her bad luck as predicted by her father. ✓ (2)
(c) It emphasises how long she has been waiting✓ for the toughness of life to
attack her. ✓ (2)
5. 8 He gained previous experience on treating wounds✓ by caring for his pigeons. ✓ (2)
5.9 Open-ended.
Accept a relevant response which shows an understanding of the following
viewpoints, among others:
Yes.
● A father needs to warn his children that ‘Life’s a bastard’ otherwise they may live
in a dream world.
● He uses his life experiences, e.g., a chicken being slaughtered in a violent way
and stitching up a wounded pigeon.
● His child’s chest was ‘bulldozed’ in an operation which is a good reason for a
person to ‘toughen up’.
No.
● It is unfair to put that burden on a child, making her wait for years and years to be
stricken down.
● She finally experiences a bad thing, but her awareness of the tough nature of life
does not make it any easier to deal with it.
● Her father changes his mind in the end and stops his sayings showing that he
has reconsidered.
NOTE: You will not be awarded marks for only YES or NO.
To obtain full marks, your response must be well-substantiated.
You can score 1 or 2 marks for a response which is not well-substantiated.
Your interpretation must be grounded in the text of the poem.
46
((3)
Total [22]
47
48
49
Words to know
Word Basic meaning
ante natal before birth, relating to pregnancy
omnivorous understanding understanding everything indiscriminately (extensively)
mystic magical
thawed softened, melted
meek quiet, gentle, shy, patient
3. Analysis
Stanza 1
In this stanza, the speaker portrays the attitude of white people towards African songs.
The sound of their song is harsh and loud, white people do not understand it, as a result
it sounds like a ‘motor car misfiring’, making an awkward noise. He says white people do
not value African culture, instead they laugh and laugh and laugh. The repetition of
‘laughed and laughed and laughed’ adds to the beauty of the poem as the words
emphasise the racial discrimination that black people experience.
Stanza 2
The African people are not as stylish and modern as the white people. They have a clumsy
walk, ‘ante natal walk’ (image of a pregnant woman) which is considered ‘inhuman’ (not
like a human) and they are mocked about it.
Stanza 3
These two lines summarise and put emphasis on how white people mock African
people for their song and walk.
Stanza 4
African people are mocked for their ‘magical’(cultural) dance by the speaker who
describes the reaction of white people who close their eyes to avoid looking at it. They
dance to their music, and to the ‘rhythm of talking drums pleading’, (the image of the
‘talking drums pleading’ represents the beat of the drums).
Stanza 5
The speaker invites the white people to experience the beauty of his world
(mystic/magical). Instead of the whites enjoying that space (the African sky) they prefer
their materialistic world, represented by their cars.
50
Stanza 6
The white people laughed at everything that mattered most to the African people: their
culture and dance.
Stanza 7
The speaker describes the continuous laughter of the white people as icy-cold. Mocking
freezes their ability to empathise with Africans and the understanding of African culture.
Furthermore, the laughter closed all the senses of the white people (hearing, seeing and
tasting), preventing them from relating to the African people.
Stanza 8
In this stanza, the speaker uses ‘And now’ to indicate a change. It is now the turn of
African people to laugh, but their laughter is not mocking like the laughter of the white
people. African people are not materialistic, and they are naturally warm-natured unlike
white people, therefore they do not mock white people.
Stanza 9
The intensity of African laughter is portrayed using fire, sun, water (natural elements).
The speaker describes the African’s laughter as the fire of the sun (eye of the sky). The
intensity of the heat of the sun is emphasised. The speaker uses fine elements of the
earth (animate and inanimate objects) to intensify how fire can melt (thaw) their frozen
hearts.
Stanza 10
This stanza concludes the poem. It is at this point that the white man realises that despite
all the humiliation African people endured, they are still warm-hearted. They are very
close to Nature.
4. Themes
Racism
The issue of racism is explored in the poem. The speaker mentions the disgrace of racial
intolerance with special reference to how white people mock African people about their
music and dance.
Culture
African culture is mocked and ridiculed by white people who misunderstand their songs
and dance. White people show no empathy with the culture of Africans and
misunderstand the connection that Africans have with Nature.
51
Contrast
The speaker uses contrast between the black indigenous African culture and the white
colonialist traditions.
Images
The speaker uses natural elements (water, the sky and fire) to capture images of beauty
and energy.
ACTIVITY 6
Read the poem, ‘You laughed and laughed and laughed’ and answer the questions below.
Explain the meaning of the phrase ‘misfiring and choking cough’ as used in the
context of the poem. (1)
Name TWO activities of African people that white people ridicule. (2)
(a) Identify the figure of speech ‘(But your laughter was ice-block’). (1)
(b) Explain why this figure of speech is relevant to the poem. (2)
6.6 Refer to lines 5-8 (‘In your eyes … laughed and laughed’).
(a) Identify the tone used by the speaker in these lines. (1)
(b) Why would the speaker use this tone in these lines? (2)
52
A omniscient .
B omnipresent.
C onomatopoeia.
D undiscriminating. (1)
Total [15]
Suggested Answers
6.1 The poem consists of 10 stanzas that are not equal in length.✓It has no defined
metre/no consistent rhyme scheme/no consistent length.✓ (2)
6.2 The speaker is comparing the noise of cars misfiring to the awkward ‘noise’ of the
African people’s songs. ✓ (1)
6.3 They ridicule their songs ✓ and the way they walked. ✓ (2)
.
6.4 The discussion of the theme of racism should include the following
points, among others:
● White people do not accommodate the culture of Africans, as they see them as
uncivilised or barbaric.
● They ridicule their way of singing, dancing and walking.
● When Africans open up to them, they ignore it and turn to their materialistic ways. (3)
(b) The speaker compares the laughter of white people to ice-blocks✓ implying that
their laughter is devoid of any warmth. ✓ (2)
(b) White people pretend their knowledge is superior, ✓ but they know very little
about African people and are not prepared to open themselves up to gain
more knowledge. ✓ (2)
53
4. And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
5. Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
6. There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
7. And evening full of the linnet’s wings.
54
Words to know
Word Basic meaning
arise stand up or get up
Innisfree an uninhabited island within Lough Gill, in Ireland, near
which Yeats spent his summers as a child
cabin a small wooden shelter or house in a wild or remote area
clay stiff, sticky fine-grained earth that can be moulded when
wet, and is dried and baked to make bricks/pottery
wattles material for making fences/walls consisting of rods/stakes
interlaced with twigs or branches
hive structure that provides a natural habitation for bees; like a
hollow tree
glade an open space (with grass) in a wood or forest
veils things that serve to cover, conceal, disguise
cricket an insect related to grasshoppers but with short legs
linnet a mainly brown and grey finch (seed eating bird) with a
reddish breast and forehead
3. Analysis
Stanza 1
The speaker highlights his desire to go to Innisfree. The urgency of
his intention to leave is emphasised by the repeated use of ‘go’ in the
first line. The speaker is determined to go to Innisfree.
The second line introduces his plans. When he is at the island, he
wants to erect a tiny ‘cabin’ as his house. The use of ‘I’ strengthens
the idea of staying alone, and it is evident in line 4.
The choice of building material ‘clay and wattles’, planting ‘nine bean
rows’, having a bee ‘hive’ adds to the simplicity of the speaker’s ideal
life. It is ironic that the speaker prefers the noise of bees which
survive in a large family group-colony while the speaker desires to
live alone.
Stanza 2
The speaker reveals the benefits of staying in Innisfree, the main
benefit being peace. The repetition of ‘peace’ emphasises the main
idea/theme of the poem. The speaker describes peace as he links
peace to morning dew which will drop from the leaves on the trees to
the grass on the ground.
55
The speaker further describes the different times of day and the
extraordinary qualities they possess at the lake isle of Innisfree. The
imagery calls up sequences that further emphasise the importance
of the daydream to the speaker.
Stanza 3
The speaker shakes himself out of his daydream in which he has
described the scenes on the lake isle of Innisfree and begins to
address the real world. Once again, he states he is going to leave
for the isle.
The speaker’s daydream is clear, causing him to hear the sounds
he has imagined hearing on the island. It seems that the speaker
lives in a city, or at least somewhere where he is surrounded by
roads and pavements, which are not signs of nature.
The poem ends on a serious/ sombre note. The poem’s last line, ‘I
hear it in the deep heart’s core’ refers to the sounds of the waves
lapping on the shore. The haunting images of the lake isle of Innisfree
are heard not in his head but in his heart. The speaker causes the
reader to wonder whether he will ever make it from his current home
to the peace he needs to be happy.
4. Themes
Peace/Tranquillity of Nature
Throughout ‘The lake isle of Innisfree’ the poet engages with interrelated themes which
include nature and peace. The speaker wants the readers to see the natural environment
without human involvement. It is a place to find peace and connect with the world on a
deeper, spiritual level. The isolated nature of the island that he’s longing for is also an
important element of his happiness. It is an escape from noisy city life.
Repetition
Line 1 ‘and go now, and go to Innisfree’ - the speaker repeatedly uses the word ‘go’ to
emphasise his intention to leave the city.
Lines 5-6 ‘peace’ and ‘dropping’ are repeated to emphasise the longing for silence and
calm.
Lines 1 and 9 ‘I will arise and go now’ is repeated to emphasise his determination to go
on a journey.
Imagery
The speaker uses visual and auditory words to capture the reader’s attention for
example ‘bee-loud’, ‘cricket sings’, ‘linnets wings’, ‘water lapping’ and ‘I hear’ -the
speaker arouses several different senses, encouraging the reader to feel, hear, and see
the natural scene.
56
ACTIVITY 3
Read the poem, ‘The lake isle of Innisfree’, and answer the questions below.
5. And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
6. Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
7. There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
8. And evening full of the linnet’s wings.
(a) Identify the tone the speaker would use in this line. (1)
57
Suggested Answers
7.2 The speaker plans on building a small shelter/cabin✓ using basic material (‘clay and
wattles’) which is available on the island. ✓ (2)
7.3 It is ironic that the speaker prefers the noise of bees which survive in a large family
group/colony, yet the speaker desires to live alone. ✓✓ (2)
(b) The repeated use of the letter ‘l’ in lake…lapping …and low’ ✓recreates the
sound made by the waves. ✓ (2)
(b) The speaker is sad because he longs to leave the city for the island, but at
present it is only a dream. ✓ (1)
7.6 The discussion of the theme of the tranquillity of nature should include the following
points, among others:
58
Open-ended.
Yes.
● He describes a picture of the relaxing activities that will occupy him.
● He refers to insects and birds like bees, crickets and linnets.
● He recreates the sound of the waves.
No.
● His does not consider his friends and family who might miss him.
● He remains in the city which proves that he prefers the city.
● His descriptions are not enticing enough to make every reader move to an island.
NOTE: You will not be awarded marks for only YES or NO.
To obtain full marks, your response must be well-substantiated.
You can score 1 or 2 marks for a response which is not well-substantiated.
Your interpretation must be grounded in the text of the poem. (3)
Total [17]
59
60
Words to know
Word Basic meaning
wanderer a traveller
visage image, facial expression, appearance
fierce angry, vicious
gory brutal, gruesome, violent, bloody
gash wound or a deep cut
quash cancel
woeful sad, miserable, unhappy
writhing twisting about from pain
frenzy extreme mental agitation
fiend evil spirit
61
3. Analysis
Stanza 1
In lines 1-2 the slave dealer is compared to a traveller whose face has
tanned to a brownish colour because he has been spending a lot of time
in the sun.
His mother does not recognise him (lines 3-6) because the harshness of
the sun has altered his outward appearance. The evil path he had
chosen is also reflected in his ‘face and frame’. She only recognises him
after he tells her his name. The ‘long –lost’ suggests that she last saw
him a long time ago.
Stanza 2
In lines 7- 8 the anger in him is compared to a fever which makes him
hot. He is angry at himself. The bad thoughts of what he has done haunt
him and he cannot get rid of them. His mother tries unsuccessfully to
make him change his thoughts and forgive himself. He is tormented
(‘racked’) by the pain of what he has done. He is remorseful.
Stanza 3
At times, just for a brief moment, the slave driver gets a gleam of hope, but
it does not last for too long (lines 13 - 14). This happens when the mother
prays with him (lines 15 – 16). The mental pictures and thoughts of all his
bad deeds chase the good thoughts away (lines 17 -18).
Stanza 4
In lines 19-20, the speaker continues to be haunted by the horrible deeds
he committed. The ‘blood’ that is on his hands refers to the blood of
innocent people he killed during his days as a slave trader. He feels that
he cannot be forgiven for his actions (‘which water cannot wash’). In line
20 there is a tinge of regret in the speaker’s tone. He believes that it would
have been better if the blood was spilled on a battlefield – which is
considered heroic.
In lines 22-24 the speaker gives a clear picture of what causes his hands
to be covered in blood. Using a whip to vigorously lash at the slaves,
each stroke opens a deep cut from which the blood flows. There is a
contrast between someone who kills when he is brave in war and the
speaker who is a coward and beats up helpless people who can offer no
resistance.
62
Stanza 5
In lines 25 -26 the speaker continues giving clear images of his horrific
actions. He uses hyperbole to emphasise the enormity of the pain he
inflicted on the slaves (line 26). No amount of water can wash the blood
from his hands (lines 27-28).
In line 28, the speaker uses a metaphor of ‘dye’ to refer to the blood of
the slaves that the slave trader is guilty of shedding. The blood is
compared to dye that can never be washed out.
In lines 29-30, the speaker says his mother’s prayers cannot erase the
sounds of the woman’s cry before she died. The agony that he put her
through still haunts him.
Stanza 6
In line 31 the speaker confesses that the sound of the woman’s cry
keeps on ringing in his ear (‘… ever in my ear’). It makes it very difficult
for him to pray. He still has clear mental images of how she looked as
she lay, dying from the injuries the speaker had inflicted on her. He can
still hear the sound of her voice. The woman reminds him that he will be
judged, with her, on ‘Judgement-day’.
Stanza 7
The alliteration in line 38 emphasises the torturous thoughts the mother
has. She prays and says that her son has been possessed by an evil
spirit. The son explains that it is not true, and that the avenging angel has
witnessed his evil deeds.
Stanza 8
The alliteration (wr -sound) in line 43 hardens the words to show how she
moved to try and save herself from him.
The angry heel (‘furious heel’) creates a clear image of the brutality with
which he kills the slave.
In lines 45-46 the woman’s pleading cries are ignored by the speaker,
but God listens as she cries out. In lines 47-48 the speaker states he
must face his fate before God, and he is scared.
4. Themes
Torment
The speaker reveals the slave dealer’s torment and anguish, turmoil
and sadness through the emotive language that is evident throughout
the poem. The poem tells us that the slave dealer is haunted by the
deeds he committed when he was involved in slave trading.
Slavery
The horror of slavery is told through the personal experiences of the
speaker who is a slave dealer. The slave dealer, ‘Wanderer’, was the
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person who forcefully removed slaves from their families and loved
ones.
Remorse
The speaker expresses the slave dealer’s feelings through stanza 4:
‘There’s blood upon my hands!.......’ This shows he feels responsible
for someone’s death. He is filled with remorse for killing people and
taking what is not his.
Contrast
In stanza 4, there is a contrast between someone who kills in war (which is a sign of
bravery) and the speaker who is a coward and beats up helpless people who are
tied up and can offer no resistance. This thought now haunts him.
Alliteration
● Line 11 ‘For fierce and fearful was his mood’ - the f-sound slows down the pace.
● Line 38 ‘The woeful Widow cried’ - the soft ‘w’ sounds emphasise the torturous
thoughts of the mother.
● Line 43 - ‘The writhing wretch with furious heel’ - the ‘wr-sound’ hardens the
words to show how vigorously she moved to try and save herself from him.
Imagery
The speaker uses images to provoke feelings of sadness, shock or disbelief.
● Line 12 ‘Racked by remorse and pain’ - image of torture
● Line 43 - 44 ‘The writhing wretch … no mortal nigh’ - image of evil
Hyperbole
Line 20 ‘Which water cannot wash’ - to indicate that his guilt cannot be removed.
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ACTIVITY 8
Read the poem and answer the questions below.
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8.1 Quote ONE word from stanza 1 which proves that the son seldom visited his
mother. (1)
8.4 One of the themes in this poem is remorse. Discuss this theme. (3)
8.5 Refer to lines 37-38 (‘Now, Christ, from …woeful Widow cried’).
Describe the state of mind of the mother as reflected in these lines. (2)
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Suggested Answers
8.4 The discussion of the theme of remorse includes the following points, among others:
● The slave trader states that there is ‘blood on his hands’ which shows he is
feeling responsible for the ill-treatment of slaves.
● He is tortured by the memories of his horrendous actions.
● He realises that God will judge him for what he did.
8.5 The mother is desperate ✓ as she is pleading for redemption for her son. ✓ (2)
a) Hyperbole (1)
8.9 Open-ended
Yes
● He really regrets what he has done, his actions haunt him.
● He reveals his horrendous actions to his Mother.
● He tries to pray but he is distracted by what he has done.
No.
● He himself believes the way he murdered the innocent woman is beyond
absolution.
● He cannot even pray for it himself without becoming distracted.
● He knew exactly what he was doing when he mistreated the innocent slaves.
NOTE: You will not be awarded marks for only YES or NO.
To obtain full marks, your response must be well-substantiated.
You can score 1 or 2 marks for a response which is not well-substantiated.
Your interpretation must be grounded in the text of the poem. (3)
Total [20]
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9. Inversnaid
by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Hopkins was born in Stratford in London on 8
July 1844. He passed away in Dublin
(Ireland)on 8 June 1889. Hopkins was a very
spiritual man. He converted (changed) from
being an Anglican Christian to a Catholic
priest when he was an adult. Hopkins did most
of his work as a priest in industrial (factory)
communities, where people were poor, hard-
working and suffering. He became very
depressed. His poetry was a way to cope with
his sadness about the world. Hopkins’s poetry
was only published thirty years after he died in
1889.
The poem was written at the height of the Industrial Revolution in England and Scotland and
the poet makes an appeal that such places should not be destroyed forever by man’s search
for wealth at any cost. The poet praises the special and irreplaceable beauty of the ‘wetness
and wildness’ of the world.
Inversnaid
by Gerard Manley Hopkins
5 A windpuff-bonnet of fáwn-fróth
6 Turns and twindles over the broth
7 Of a pool so pitchblack, féll-frówning,
8 It rounds and rounds Despair to drowning.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgJAmCYqnEU&ab_channel=SpokenVerse
Words to know
Word Basic meaning
Inversnaid a remote part of the Scottish Highlands, on the east bank of
Loch Lomond
darksome dark and gloomy
burn a stream
highroad main road
coop Hopkins described a coop as an ‘enclosed hollow’
fleece woolly covering of sheep
comb water rippling or running freely
flutes to make a shape like the flute or stem of a long-stemmed glass;
to make the whistling sound of the musical instrument with the
same name
windpuff bonnet froth which sits on top of the water like a lady’s hat, or part of a
sail.
fáwn-fróth fawn-coloured foam created by running water in streams
twindles twists, turns and dwindles
broth soup consisting of meat or vegetables cooked in stock,
sometimes thickened with barley or other cereals.
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3. Analysis
Line 1
● a description of a fast-flowing dark stream (‘burn’)
● ‘darksome’ is a word the poet invented to describe the colour of
the stream (‘burn’)
● the use of the word ‘horseback’ creates an image of the stream
flowing fast like a horse running down
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Line 2
● ‘rollrock’ is a combination of the words ‘rock’ and ‘roll’ to
emphasise the speed of the stream; it is flowing so fast that some
rocks are dislodged and rolling down
● the poet uses the words ‘roaring down’ to imitate the speed and
sound of the stream
Lines 3 and 4
● when the stream reaches a pool, it is contained (‘coop’)
● the force of the water tumbling down leaves a residue of foam that
resembles wool (‘fleece’) covering (‘comb’) the pool
● the energy of the river is now ‘cooped up’ in a rockpool and the
water gently ‘combs’ over the rocks and falls to the lake
● ‘flute’ creates an image of a narrowing in the stream before it
continues to the lake which is its ultimate destination (‘home’)
Line 5
● the wind causes the foam covering the pool to look like a bonnet
made of foam
● the foam is fawn coloured which is coined ‘fawn-froth’
Lines 6 and 7
● ‘twindles’ effectively describes the force of the water as being
calmer
● ‘broth’ creates an image of a soup which is dark in colour and is
made of a mixture of meat and vegetables
● ‘broth of a pool’ should be read together as the poet makes use of
enjambment (run-on line) to link the description
● the colour ‘the broth/Of a pool’ is ‘pitchblack’, which is an intensive
form used to describe a particularly dark night This Photo by Unknown
● ‘Despair’ is written with a capital letter. The poet personifies it
implying that as the pool ‘rounds and round’ (going in circles), it
drowns Despair, based on his view of Nature Bonnet
● ‘féll-frówning’ is a compound word invented by Hopkins. It refers
to the hills looking down on the pool and they are appearing to be
frowning
Lines 9 and 10
● the sides (‘groins’) of the steep banks (‘braes’) through which the
small stream (‘brook’) flows, are wet (‘degged’ and ‘dappled’) from
the dew.
● the use of enjambment effectively creates a mental picture of the
stream flowing at a calmer pace
● the stream is personified as a person walking along, implying a
more leisurely pace
Lines 11 and 12
● in these two lines the vegetation growing on the banks of the
stream is described
● By using words like ‘wiry’ and ‘flitches’, the vegetation is described
as a combination of plants that can withstand extreme weather
conditions.
● on the banks of the stream ash trees covered with berries grow
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Lines 13 and 14
● the stanza opens with a rhetorical question
● this poetic device introduces a change in mood
● the use of enjambment forces the reader to consider the rhetorical
question
● through the effective use of alliteration, Hopkins emphasises the
importance of Nature
● Hopkins makes a plea to his fellow men to leave Nature to run its
course
Line 15
● the repetition of ‘let them be left’ emphasises his earnestness
about the preservation of Nature
● the use of ‘O’ invokes a pleading tone
● the inversion of ‘wildness and wet’, emphasises the importance of
the natural state of Nature
● he ends the poem with a rallying cry where the alliteration serves
to emphasise the call to arms: ‘Long live the weeds and the Ash tree
wilderness yet’
● In stanza 4 Hopkins no longer describes Nature, but rather makes
an appeal to mankind to preserve Nature.
4. Themes
Natural wonder
The speaker is in awe of the beauty of Nature. He expresses it through newly-coined
words like ‘darksome’, ‘rollrock,’ fáwn-fróth. By using alliteration, the reader hears the
sounds in Nature.
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Metaphor
● Line 1 ‘This darksome burn, horseback brown’) -the colour of the river is compared to the
brown colour of a horse.
● Line 3 ‘the fleece of the foam’ - the foam on the pond is compared to the fleece of a sheep.
● Line 5 ‘A windpuff-bonnet’ - the foam is also compared to the bonnet of a lady that has been
swept up by the wind.
● Line 6 ‘Turns and twindles over the broth’ - The colour of the pond is compared to a ‘broth’.
● Line 8 ‘Despair’ - is compared to a person drowning.
Personification
● Line 8 ‘Despair’ -the capital letter indicates that Despair is personified.
The mood created is stanzas 1-3 is reverence as the speaker describes the beauty of
Nature. In stanza 4 it changes to concern as the speaker wonders what the world would
be without Nature.
ACTIVITY 9
Read the poem, ‘Inversnaid’ and answer the questions below.
Inversnaid
by Gerard Manley Hopkins
5 A windpuff-bonnet of fáwn-fróth
6 Turns and twindles over the broth
7 Of a pool so pitchblack, féll-frówning,
8 It rounds and rounds Despair to drowning
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10 Are the groins of the braes that the brook treads through,
11 Wiry heathpacks, flitches of fern,
12 And the beadbonny ash that sits over the burn
9.1 Complete the following sentences by using the words in the list below. Write only
the word next to the question numbers.
This (a) ...poem consists of four (b)… The stanzas are further broken down into
(c)…(d)… . (4)
Give ONE word which best describes the speaker's state of mind in these lines.
9.7 The speaker succeeds in convincing the reader that Nature is worth saving.
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Suggested Answers
9.1 (a) lyrical✓
(b) quatrains✓
(c) rhyming✓
couplets ✓
(d) (4)
(b) The speaker compares the sound made by the rushing river✓ to an animal or
person roaring. ✓ (2)
9.4 anxious/concerned✓
The speaker fears that the beauty of Nature will be lost forever due to the
encroachment of Industrialisation. ✓ (2)
9.6 The discussion of the theme of appreciation should include the following points,
among others:
● The speaker mentions many details of how the stream is flowing into the lake.
● He pictures how the swirling of the stream manages to take away negative
feelings (‘Despair’).
● He makes a plea to mankind to leave the wildness of Nature to flourish.
9.7 Open-ended.
Yes.
• The speaker gives a number of images that are typical of the beauty of Nature.
• He makes up new words to describe the sounds of a river flowing, e.g., ‘rollrock’.
• He uses alliteration and metaphors to describe the beauty of Nature.
No.
● He uses strange new words to describe Nature.
● He does not effectively show that if Nature is destroyed it will have detrimental
effects on mankind.
● Describing the flow of a river is not sufficient evidence to ensure that Nature is
preserved.
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NOTE: You will not be awarded marks for only YES or NO.
To obtain full marks, your response must be well-substantiated.
You can score 1 or 2 marks for a response which is not well-substantiated.
Your interpretation must be grounded in the text of the poem. (3)
Total [17]
76
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Words to know
Word Basic meaning
speckled covered or marked with a large number of small spots or
patches of colour
glare shine with a strong or dazzling light
pecked (of a bird) struck or bit by something with its beak
wobbling move or cause to move unsteadily from side to side
boughs main branches of a tree
sill 1. a ledge or sill forming the bottom part of a window
sandman 1. fictional man supposed to make children sleep by
sprinkling sand in their eyes
spumes froth or foam, especially that found on waves
sprout (of a plant) put out shoots
woven interlaced long threads passing in one direction with
others at a right angle to them
wading walk with effort through water or another liquid or viscous
substance
pebbles a small stone made smooth and round by the action of
water or sand
crimson a rich deep red colour
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3. Analysis
Stanza 1
The speaker introduces the night-jar. In line 1 it is described as a brown-
speckled bird.
This is a nocturnal bird because during the day it nests in the bush, hiding
from the brightness of the sun. It comes out of the bush at night and moves
around and sits on windowsills. At midnight it visits the speaker’s window
and pecks on the windowpane. The reflection of the stars is seen through
the movement of its beak.
A night-jar
Stanza 2
In this stanza, the speaker gives a clear description of a calm summer
night and what the night-jar does. In line 8, the presence of the moon is
evident; ‘fishes bite the wobbling moon’. The moon is said to be wobbling.
The movement of the reflection of the moon on the water is caused by the
movement of the fish in the pond. In line 9, the fruit looks silvery because
of the moonlight. In line 10, the moon shines through the space between
the tree branches.
The night-jar wakes and flies from one windowsill to the next, across town.
The speaker refers to the town as curtained to indicate that it is night and
curtains are drawn.
Stanza 3
The speaker has insomnia, he cannot fall asleep, and he blames his lack
of sleep on the night-jar. In line 13, the speaker says the bird ‘shook the
sandman from my sight’, this means that the sandman who is supposed to
make the speaker drowsy and fall asleep is being removed by the night-
jar. In line 15, the speaker is receiving directions to a place where he will
get help. Lines 16-18 give a clear picture of the place the speaker is
directed to:
• a thatched roof hut built on a hill.
• in a coastal area where ‘sugar spumes’. This refers to the area
on the coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal with sugar cane plantations.
• the area where the hut is built is beautiful, there are lilies on the
hill.
• it is a peaceful place (line 18: ‘no storms fly’).
Stanza 4
The night-jar, in this stanza, informs the speaker of someone who can
help him get relief from his trouble. The Princess of Heavens, a being
who collects dreams, helps human beings by bringing them new hope.
In lines 21-23 the Princess of Heavens receives the dreams, puts them in
a woven pot and cleanses them in rainbow water.
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Stanza 5
The night-jar instructs the speaker to go to the Princess of Heavens to
seek help. The walk is not going to be easy (line 26 – ‘wading through the
icy stream’), but there is great promise and hope (line 27 – ‘golden pebbles
shine’). The princess of Heavens is ageless, line 29 ‘for she is old as she
is young’. This means that she is accessible to everyone, and she A woven pot
identifies with people of all ages. Her remedy is love (line 28).
Stanza 6
In line 31 the speaker sees the Princess of Heavens leaning against a
leafless tree. Leafless trees symbolise the end of an era and lack of
vitality. In line 32 the tree has bright red flowers, ‘a crown of crimson’.
Although the crimson colour can be associated with danger, it also
symbolises excitement, love and power.
In line 33, the hill begins to fade – it is dawn, the morning mist is
appearing, resulting in the hill beginning to dim. In line 34 the speaker is
standing in the greying rocks. The speaker has reached a turning point.
He has decided to act by using the grey rocking technique. Grey rocking
is a technique used to divert a toxic person’s behaviour by acting
unresponsively when interacting with them. The speaker in this line
decides to stop being responsive to things that disturbs his peace. As he A leafless tree with
makes this decision, the night-jar fades away, it has accomplished its a crimson crown
mission.
4. Themes
Hope
The night-jar, as a messenger and a guide, brings hope to humans by pointing them to
a being who can renew their hope and make them dream again.
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Metaphor
● Line 26 ‘wading through the icy stream’ - the water is as cold as ice water.
● Line 32 ‘a crown of crimson burned’ - the speaker compares the crimson
flowers on the leafless tree to a burning crown.
Images
Images to capture beauty and energy:
● Line 7 ‘calm and tender summer nights’
● Line 8 ‘fishes bite the wobbling moon’
● Lines 17-18 ‘…the coast where sugar spumes, and lilies sprout, and no
storms fly’.
Alliteration
● Line 11 – ‘sill to sill’
● Line 31 – ‘crown of crimson’
Mood
● The mood is encouraging and reassuring.
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ACTIVITY 10
Read the poem, The night-jar and Inkosazana Yasezulwini, and answer the questions below.
82
10.3 Refer to lines 7-10 (‘On calm and …among the boughs’).
10.8 Quote FIVE consecutive words from stanza 5 which show that the journey to the
‘Princess of Heavens’ might not be easy. (1)
10.9 Using your OWN words, explain the meaning of line 29 (‘for she is …she is young’). (2)
State TWO things that are done by the Princess of the Heavens. (2)
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Suggested Answers
(b) A comparison is drawn between the colour of the night-jar and dust, ✓
creating a clear picture of the bird. ✓
(2)
10.3 The speaker paints a picture of a beautiful summer night✓ the moon is shining brightly;
its reflection is seen on the pond filled with fish and its light gives the fruit a silvery
colour. ✓ (2)
b) The speaker is in bed, ✓ but he cannot fall asleep/ he remains awake. ✓ (2)
10.9 It means that the Princess of the Heavens is ageless✓. People of all age groups can (2)
identify with her. ✓
The Princess of the Heavens collects the dreams that reach her.
She rinses the dreams in rainbow water.
She stores the dreams with the morning mist. (2)
10.11 The discussion of the theme of hope must include the following points,
amongst others:
10.12 Open-ended
Yes.
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OR
No.
NOTE: You will not be awarded marks for only YES or NO.
To obtain full marks, your response must be well-substantiated.
You can score 1 or 2 marks for a response which is not well-substantiated. (3)
Your interpretation must be grounded in the text of the poem.
Total [24]
85
References
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Catholic%20school%20in%20Port%20Elizabeth. (n.d.).
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poetry/Hopkins%20Inversnaid.pdf. (n.d.).
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me&ie=UTF-8. (n.d.).
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ence&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i271l2.11899j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8. (n.d.).
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g+couplets&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i512l9.7932j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8. (n.d.).
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reward%20people%20for%20giving%20them.%22. (n.d.).
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