Upload
jordan-aadan-casanova
View
301
Download
1
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
1/34
A Contemplation Upon Flowers - Literature Notes
BRAVE flowers--that I could gallant it like you,
And be as little vain!ou co"e abroad, and "ake a har"less show, And to your beds of earth again#
!ou are not $roud% you know your birth%
&or your e"broider'd gar"ents are fro" earth#
!ou do obey your "onths and ti"es, but I
(ould have it ever )$ring%
*y fate would know no (inter, never die,
Nor think of such a thing#
+ that I could "y bed of earth but view
And s"ile, and look as cheerfully as you
+ teach "e to see eath and not to fear,
But rather to take truce
ow often have I seen you at a bier,
And there look fresh and s$ruce
!ou fragrant flowers then teach "e, that "y breath
Like yours "ay sweeten and $erfu"e "y death##
)tan.a /, line 01% 2his is another co"$arison between the $ersona and the $lant# 2he $ersona wishes that
he could look death in the face and be cheerful, like the $lant# Again, this e"$hasi.es that he fears death#
/# E34E*I)*
2his $hrase is a re$lace"ent for the word death# It softens death and "akes it a$$ear welco"ing and
$leasant#5# IR+N!
It is ironic that the flowers look so fresh and alive, when they are facing their very "ortality, on the to$ of
a casket# eath is a sad affair, yet the flowers are at their best when ushering $eo$le back to the earth#
1# 4ER)+NI&I6A2I+N
2he $ersona is s$eaking directly to the flowers and giving the" hu"an 7ualities, therefore, the whole
$oe" is an e8a"$le of the use of $ersonification at its best# e even goes as far as to ask the flowers to
teach hi" things that will allow hi" to ac7uire their 7ualities#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is ad"iration, because the $ersona literally ad"ires the flowers for its acce$ting
attitude towards death#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood, or at"os$here of the $oe" is a $ensive one# 2he $ersona is thinking about death, how he
relates to it versus how others relate to it#
6+N2RA)2 A contrast in this $oe" is the $ersona's fear of death, versus the flowers' acce$tance of it#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+R!
eath, nature,
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
2/34
O'l Higue - Literature Notes
You think I like this stupidness! -gallivanting all night without skin,
burning myself out like cane-fireto frighten the foolish?
And for what? A few drops of baby blood? You think I wouldn't rathertake my blood seasoned in fat
black-pudding, like everyone else? And don't even talk 'bout the pain of saltand having to bend these old bones downto count a thousand grains of rice!
If only babies didn't smell so nice! And if I could only stophearing the soft, soft call
of that pure blood running in new veins,singing the sweet song of lifetempting an old, dry-up woman who beenholding her final note for years and years,afraid of the dying hum
hen again, if I didn't fly and cometo that fresh pulse in the middle of the night,"how would you, mother,name your ancient dread?
And who to blamefor the murder inside your head ?#elieve me -
As long as it have women giving birtha poor ol' higue like me can never dead
LI2ERAL *EANIN:
In this $oe", the +l' igue 9 soucouyant tells of her frustration with her lifestyle# )he does not
like the fact that she so"eti"es has to $arade
around, in the for" of a fireball, without her
skin at night# )he e8$lains that she has to do
this in order to scare $eo$le, as well as to
ac7uire baby blood# )he e8$lains that she
would rather ac7uire this blood via cooked
food, like every-one else# er worst co"$laint
is the $ain of salt, as well as having to count
rice grains# )he e8hibits so"e regret for her
lifestyle but i"$lies that she cannot resist a
baby's s"ell, as well as it's $ure blood# 2he'newness' of the baby te"$ts the +l' igue, and
she cannot resist because she is an old wo"an
who fears death, which can only be avoided by
consu"ing the baby's blood# )he affir"s her
usefulness in the sche"e of things, however, by
clai"ing that she $rovides "others with a na"e
for their fears ;this being the death of a child
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
3/34
• )tan.a 5, lines //-/5% At this $oint the +l' igue is "aking e8cuses for her $resence, clai"ing
that she serves an actual $ur$ose in the sche"e of life# If a child dies of unknown causes, she can
be sca$egoated for it#
• )tan.a 5, lines /1-/>% '2he "urder inside your head' refers to the "o"ents, when out of $ure
frustration and tiredness, a "other "ight wish ill on her child# 2he +l' igue is i"$lying that,
again, she can be used as a sca$egoat if so"ething unfortunate ha$$ens to the child# 2he "other
is relieved of bearing the burden of guilt#
5# RE4E2I2I+N
2he re$etition of the word 'soft' e"$hasi.es the fact that the call of the child's blood has ca$tured and
beguiled the +l' igue'# )he i"$lies that she cannot resist that call#
1# ALLI2ERA2I+N
2his device e"$hasi.es the +l' igue's de$endence, even addiction, to the sweet blood of the baby#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is reflective#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is slightly bitter and resigned# )he acce$ts that the cycle of her life cannot change#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+RIA2I+N
)u$ernatural
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
4/34
A Stone's Throw - Literature Notes
(e shouted out
'(e've got her ere she is
It's her all right '#
(e caught her#
2here she was -
A decent-looking wo"an, you'd have said,
;2hey often are<
Beautiful, but dead scared,
2ousled - we roughed her u$A little, nothing "uch
And not the first ti"e
By any "eans
)he'd felt "en's hands
:reedy over her body CBut ours were virtuous,
+f course#
And if our fingers bruised
er shuddering skin,
2hese were love-bites, co"$ared2o the hail of kisses of stone,
2he last assault
And battery, frigid ra$e,
2o co"e
+f right#
&or ustice "ust be done
)$ecially whenIt tastes so good#
And then - this guru,
4reacher, :od-"erchant, :od-knows-what -)$oilt the whole thing,
)$eaking to her
;)hould never s$eak to the"<
)7uatting on the ground - her level,
(riting in the dust
)o"ething we couldn't read#
And saw in her
)o"ething we couldn't see
LI2ERAL *EANIN:
A crowd has caught a wo"an# 2he $ersona
i"$lies to the reader that the wo"an is not
decent# )he was beautiful, but scared because
she had gotten 'roughed u$' a little by the
crowd# 2he $ersona states that the wo"an has
e8$erienced "en's hands on her body before,
but this crowd's hands were virtuous#
e also "akes a $roviso that if this crowd
bruises her, it cannot be co"$ared to what she
has e8$erienced before# 2he $ersona alsos$eaks about a last assault and battery to co"e#
e ustifies this last assault by calling it ustice,and it is ustice that feels not only right, but
good# 2he crowd's 'ustice' is $laced on hold by
the interru$tion of a $reacher, who sto$s to talk
to the lady# e s7uats on the ground and writesso"ething that the crowd cannot see#
Essentially, the $reacher udges the", thereby
allowing the lady to also udge the crowd,
leading to the crowd inevitably udging itself#
2he crowd walks away fro" the lady, still
holding stones Dwhich can be seen as a"eta$hor for udg"ents that can be thrown
another day#
LI2ERAR! EVI6E)
0# )AR6A)*2he $ersona is "aking the $oint that the lady
was in fact N+2 decent looking#
/# 4ER)+NI&I6A2I+N
2his device is $articularly effective because theword 'kisses' is used# Fiss i"$lies so"ething
$leasant, but it is actually utili.ed to e"$hasi.e
so"ething $ainful that has ha$$ened to the
ladyG she was stoned#
5# 43N
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
5/34
At least until
e turned his eyes on us,
er eyes on us,
+ur eyes u$on ourselves#
(e walked away
)till holding stones2hat we "ay throw
Another day
:iven the urge#
• 2itle% 2he title of the $oe" is itself a
$un on two levels# A stone's throw is
used by "any $eo$le in the 6aribbean
to describe a close distance# eg# H)he
lives a stone's throw awayH# 2he otheruse of the title is to highlight the
content of the $oe"# It is a figurative
stoning, or udging, of a wo"an#
• Line /5% 2here is a $lay on the word 'co"e'# 2he $ersona is telling the reader that the crowd is
$lanning to ra$e the lady# 2his act is to co"e, or occur, in the near future# 6o"e, in this conte8t,
also "eans to eaculate, the cul"ination of the act of se8# 2he ra$ists in the crowd also $lan to
'co"e'#
1# ALL3)I+N ;biblical<
2he content of the $oe" alludes to the story of *ary *agdalene in the 6hristian Bible# )ee ohn @ v >-J#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is "i8ed# At ti"es it is al"ost braggadocious, then it beco"es sarcastic, "oving to
scornful#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+R!
iscri"ination, religion, survival, hy$ocrasy, o$$ression, alienation#
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%208:5-7&version=NIVhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%208:5-7&version=NIVhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
6/34
Dreaming Black Boy - Literature Notes
I wish "y teacher's eyes wouldn't
go $ast "e today# (ish he'd know
it's okay to hug "e when I kick
a goal# (ish I "yself wouldn't
hold back when an answer co"es#I'" no woodcho$$er now
like all ancestor's#
I wish I could be educatedto the best of tune u$, and earn
good "oney and not sink to lick
boots #I wish I could go on every
crisscross way of the globe
and no $ersons or $owers or
hotel kee$ers would "ake it a waste#
I wish life wouldn't s$end "e out
o$$osing# (ish sa"e way creation
would have "e stand it would have "e stretch, and
hold high, "y voice
4aul Robeson's, "y inside eyea sun# Nobody wants to say
hello to nasty answers#
#I wish torch throwers of night
would burn lights for decent ti"es#
(ish $lotters in $ya"as would $ray
for the"selves# (ish $eo$le wouldn't
talk as if I dro$$ed fro" *ars
I wish only boys were scared
behind bravados, for I could suffer#
I could suffer a big big lot#I wish nobody would want to earn
the terrible burden I can suffer#
LI2ERAL *EANIN:
2he $oe" is about a black boy who wishes that hecould have regular things in life# 2hings such as
a congratulatory hug, to be educated to the highest
level and to travel without harass"ent# 2he $ersona yearns to sto$ fighting for the basic rightto be successful and to rise above societal
e8$ectations#
LI2ERAR! EVI6E)
0# RE4E2I2I+N%
2he constant re$etition of the $hrase 'I wish' $oints
to a yearning, a des$eration even, for the basic
things that life has to offer# 2he re$etition gives
credence to the idea that the $ersona
"ight believe that his wishes are actually drea"s
that "ight not co"e true#
/# ALL3)I+N%
• )tan.a 0, lines ? and J, alludes to slavery,
the state of lacking control over one's own
life and destiny# 2he fact that reference is
"ade to this hints to how the $ersona feels
about his life# e does not feel as if he has
control over it#
)tan.a 5, lines 0K to /, alludes to 4aul Robeson, a black intellectual, who attained success des$ite
difficult circu"stances# 2he $ersona yearns to be like this $erson# e wants roo" to stretch intellectually#
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Robesonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Robesonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Robesonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Robeson
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
7/34
• )tan.a 1, lines // to />, alludes to the klu klu8 klan# Burning lights refers to the burning of
crosses and the $ya"as alludes to their white outfits that look like $ya"as# 2he $ersona wants
the" to leave hi" alone, find so"ething else to do other than "ake his life difficult by
contributing to his wishes re"aining in the real" of the drea"s#
• 2+NE
2he tone9"ood of the $oe" is one of sadness# 2he $ersona is thinking about how he is treated and
he reacts to this in a sad way# e kee$s wishing that things were different#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+R!%
Racis", survival, o$$ression, desire9drea"s#
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klanhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klanhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
8/34
Dulce et Decorum st - Literature Notes
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks
Fnock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
2ill on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge#
*en "arched aslee$# *any had lost their boots
But li"$ed on, blood-shod# All went la"eG all blindG
runk with fatigueG deaf even to the hoots
+f tired, outstri$$ed &ive-Nines that dro$$ed behind#
:as :as =uick boys - An ecstasy of fu"bling,
&itting the clu"sy hel"ets ust in ti"eG
But so"eone still was yelling out and stu"bling,
And flound'ring like a "an in fire or li"e ###
i", through the "isty $anes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw hi" drowning#
In all "y drea"s, before "y hel$less sight,
e $lunges at "e, guttering, choking, drowning#
If in so"e s"othering drea"s you too could $ace
Behind the wagon that we flung hi" in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,is hanging face, like a devil's sick of sinG
If you could hear, at every olt, the blood
6o"e gargling fro" the froth-corru$ted lungs,
+bscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
+f vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,-
*y friend, you would not tell with such a high .est
2o children ardent for so"e des$erate glory,
2he old Lie% ulce et decoru" est
4ro $atria "ori#
• )tan.a 1, line 5K% 6ancer is a horrible disease that takes "any lives on a daily basis# 2herefore, to
co"$are this dying soldiers face to this disease is to e"$hasi.e the agony that the soldier was
going through, which was reflected on his face#
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
9/34
• )tan.a 1, lines 5K-1% 2his is another gra$hic co"$arison that co"$ares the soldier's face to
incurable sores# ')ores' is a disgusting visual i"age of degradation which, in turn, highlights the
soldier in the throes of death#
ALLI2ERA2I+N
• )tan.a 0, line J% 2his device $oints to the level of fatigue that the soldiers were undergoing#
• )tan.a 0, lines J-K% 2his highlights not only the fatigue that the soldiers were feeling, but the fact
that they were inured as well#
• )tan.a 1, lines /K-5% 2his device highlights a visually gra$hic death "ask# 2he soldier is in the
throes of i"$ending death#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE2he "ood of the $oe" is reflective# 2he $ersona9 $oet is thinking about his e8$eriences in ((0#
2+NE2he general tone of the $oe" is both sarcastic and ironic# 2he $ersona9 $oet tries to $resent a visual of the
realities of war while using the haunting words that contradict that reality# It is, in fact, N+2 sweet and
honourable to die for one's country#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+RIA2I+N
(ar, death, survival, o$$ression, $atriotis"
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
10/34
pitaph - Literature Notes
2hey hanged hi" on a 1# cle"ent "orning, ># swung
between the falling sunlight and the wo"en's
breathing, 0#like a black a$ostro$he to $ain#
All "orning while the children /#hushed
their ho$scotch oy and ?#the cane ke$t growing
5#he hung there sweet and low#
At least that's how
they tell it# It was long ago
and J#what can we recall of a dead slave or two
e8ce$t when we @#$unctuate our island tale
0#they swing like sighs across K#the brutal sentences, and 0#anger $auses
till they $ass away#
LI2ERAR! EVI6E)
0# )I*ILE
• )tan.a 0, line 1% 2he swinging body of the slave is co"$ared with an a$ostro$he to $ain# 2his
co"$arison is very $owerful because, in English gra""ar, an a$ostro$he re$resents ownershi$#
2herefore, it is i"$lying that the $ain of the black race is so $al$able that it is al"ost so"ething
that they own# It e"$hasi.es the $ainful nature of their history#
• )tan.a /, line 01% 2he dead slave's body's swing is co"$ared to sighs# A sigh is an e8halation of
breathe that can signal "any feelingsG relief, agitation, oy, etc#, with the "aor 7uality being brevity# 2herefore, the e"$hasis is not necessarily on the feeling that the dead slave elicits, u$on
being re"e"bered, but the brevity with which he is re"e"bered#
• /# *E2A4+R
2his "eta$hor e"$hasi.es the fun that the children $aused, out of res$ect for the swinging body
of the dead slave#
5# ALL3)I+N
2his line alludes to the Negro )$iritual ')wing Low'# 2his s$iritual s$eaks of an individual's
ourney to heaven# 2his relates to this $oe" because it carries the i"$lication that the slave's soul
has gone to heaven# e hung 'sweet and low' and the chariot ca"e for hi", his soul is at rest#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is reflective
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is reflective and slightly sarcastic#
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Low,_Sweet_Chariothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Low,_Sweet_Chariothttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Low,_Sweet_Chariothttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
11/34
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+RIA2I+N
eath, racis", desires and drea"s
Forgi!e "y #uilt - Literature Notes
Not always sure what things called sins "ay be, I a" sure of one sin I have done#
It was years ago, and I was a boy,
I lay in the 0#frost flowers with a gun,
/#the air ran blue as the flowersG I held "y breath, /#two birds on golden legs sli" as drea" things /#ran like 7uic
(ith 0#agged ivory bones where wings should be# &or days I heard the" when I walked that headland, crying ou
the", 0#2hose slender flutes of sorrow never cease, 5#2wo airy things forever denied the air I never knew how th
Airy, and beautiful will forgive "y guilt#
Line @% 2he sand is being co"$ared to gold, the colour# It is e"$hasi.ing how beautiful the setting was#
Line 0/% 2his "eta$hor e"$hasi.es the inuries that the birds sustained# 2he bones are co"$ared
to agged ivory, which is a direct contrast to the s"ooth feathers that e8isted before the inury#
Lines /-/0% 2he birds are co"$ared to a flute, an instru"ent that $lays beautiful "usic# 2his e"$hasi.es
the sadness that is related to their death#
/# )I*ILE
Line >% 2he air and the flowers are being co"$ared, both are blue#
Lines ?-J% 2his si"ile offers a beautiful visual i"age of the birds# rea"s are beautiful, and the birds are
co"$ared to this#
• Line J% 2he s$eed of the birds is being highlighted, while also "aintaining that beautiful visual
i"agery#
5# 43N
2he $un is between the words 'airy' and 'air'# 'Airy' "eans light and beautiful, while 'air' refers to the sky
and flying# 2he $oet is la"enting that these light and beautiful things can no longer fly and feel the
$leasure of air rushing $ast the"#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is nostalgia and guilt#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is sad# 2he $oet's res$onse to his guilt is sadness#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+R!
eath, childhood e8$eriences, nature, guilt, loss of innocence, desire9drea"s#
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
12/34
#o$'s #ran$eur - Literature Notes
2he world is J#charged with the @#grandeur of :od#
0#It will fla"e out, like shining fro" shook foil%
0#It gathers to a greatness, like the oo.e of oil
6rushed# /#(hy do "en then now not reck 5#his rodM
1#:enerations have trod, have trod, have trodGK#And all is seared with tradeG bleared, s"eared with toilG
>#And wears "an's s"udge and shares "an's s"ell% the soil
is bare now, 0#nor can foot feel, being shod#
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
13/34
And for all this, nature is never s$entG
>#2here lives the dearest freshness dee$ down thingsG
And though the last lights off the black (est went
+h, "orning, >#at the brown brink eastward, s$rings -Because the 00#oly :host over the bent
?#(orld broods with war" breast and with ah bright wings#
/# RE2+RI6AL =3E)2I+N
2he $ersona 7uestions why "en do not care about :od's wrath# e i"$lies that this wrath is sure because
the Earth is charged, or co""anded with the grandeur of :od#
5# ALL3)I+N ;biblical<
2his 'rod' refers to the rod of correction that is found in the 6hristian Bible# )ee / )a"uel J%01# 2his line
i"$lies that :od will $unish "an for being reckless with the world#
1# RE4E2I2I+N2his device highlights the da"age that "an has done to the world# 2rodding i"$lies that one walks, or
tra"$les, in order to crush or inure#
># ALLI2ERA2I+N
• Lines 0-00% 2his device e"$hasi.es the i"$act that "an has had on his environ"ent# e has
i"$acted every crevice of the world in so"e negative way, as i"$lied by words such as 's"udge'#
• Lines 01-0>% 2his device clarifies that the Earth is resilient, no "atter what "an does to har" it, it
will bounce back#
• Lines 0@-0K% 2his device si"$ly re-iterates the resilience of the Earth, we can actually visuali.e
the sun rising#
?# 4ER)+NI&I6A2I+N
(hen one broods, they are $ondering on so"ething# 2herefore, the world $onders, but in a $ositive way,
with war" breasts# 2his i"$lies that it feels good because it has $ersevered des$ite of "an's interference#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is $ensive because the $ersona is reflecting on "an's influence on the world#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is one of confidence and for"ality#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+R!
Nature, religion
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%207:14%20&version=NIVhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%207:14%20&version=NIVhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
14/34
%t is the Constant %mage o& your Face - Literature Notes
It is the 5#constant i"age of your facefra"ed in "y hands as you knelt before "y chair
the 1#grave attention of 0#your eyes
surveying "e a"id "y >#world of knives
that stays with "e, 0#$erennially accusesand convicts "e of /#heart's-treachery%
and neither you nor I can $lead e8cuses
for you, you know, can clai" no loyalty -
"y land takes $recedence of all "y loves#
!et I beg "itigation, $leading guilty
for you, "y dear, acco"$lice of "y heart
"ade, without words, ?#such black"ail with your beauty
and $roffered "e such dear $rotectiveness
that I confess without re"orse or sha"e
"y still-fresh treason to0#"y country
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
15/34
and ho$e that she, "y other, dearest love
will $ardon freely, not attaching bla"e
being your "istress ;or your "atch< in tenderness#
LI2ERAR! EVI6E)0# 4ER)+NI&I6A2I+N
• Lines 1, ?-J% 2he love interest's eyes constantly accuses and convicts the $ersona# 2his device
highlights the e8tent to which the $ersona has hurt this $erson#
• Lines 0@-/% 2he $ersona ho$es that his country, his other dearest love, will forgive hi" for the
treasonous act of loving another# 2his highlights the $atriotis" that defines the $ersona's
relationshi$ to his country#
/# +!*+R+N
2he ter" heart's-treachery i"$lies that the heart, so"ething so vital and indicative of love, has co""itted
a terrible cri"e# It highlights the heartbreak that the $ersona has caused his love interest#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is reflective# 2he $ersona is thinking about his two loves and how he is torn
between the"# 2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is sadness and guilt# 2he $ersona is guilt ridden over this love triangle and sadness
$er"eates the words that he uses to describe it#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+R!
Love, guilt, $atriotis", $laces, desires9 drea"s
e oupgarou - Literature Notes
A >#curious 0#tale that threaded through town
2hrough greying wo"en sewing under eaves,
(as how his greed had brought old Le Brun down, 0#greeted by slowly shutting alouses
(hen he a$$roached the" in ?#white linen-linen suit,
4ink glasses, cork hat and /#ta$-ta$$ing cane,
5#A dying "an licensed to sell sick fruit,
Ruined by fiends with who" he'd "ade a bargain#
It see"s one night, these 1#6hristian witches said,
e changed hi"self into an J#Alsatian hound,
A slathering lycenthro$e, hot on a scent,0#But his own watch"an dealt the thing a wound
(hich howled and lugged its entrails, trailing wet
(ith blood back to its doorste$, al"ost dead#
LI2ERAR! EVI6E)
0# ALLI2ERA2I+N
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
16/34
• Lines 0-5% 2his alliteration gives the reader a visual i"agery of the "anner in which the gossi$
about Le Brun s$read# A thread is thin and fine and can weave itself in any crevice, so"eti"es in
a very non-linear and sinuous "anner# 2his describes the way in which the gossi$ s$read# It
"anaged to touch the whole village in an al"ost insiduous, and co"$lete, "anner#
• Line >% 2his literary device s$eaks to the results of the gossi$# Le Brun is alienated fro" the
$eo$le of the town# 2heir fascination with hi", however, is evident by the fact that they slowly
shut their alouses9windows# 2he lack of s$eed i"$lies that they are watching hi", while also
alienating hi"#
• Lines 0J-/0% 2his alliteration highlights the severity of the lou$garou's inuries# !ou can al"ost
see and hear the wetness of the blood, as well as see the entrails trailing wet through the use of
this device#
/# +N+*A2+4+EIA
2he ta$-ta$$ing cane is a $art of Le Brun's $hysical descri$tion# e a$$ears to stand out, in ter"s of his
$hysical a$$earance, down to the use of his cane#
5# 4ARA+
2his state"ent a$$ears nonsensical at first, but actually "akes sense in the long run# 2he lou$garou is, in
fact, a "an who is leading a half life as "an and beast, so he is not really 'living'# 2he fact that he can $ass
on the 'gift' of beco"ing a werewolf clarifies the fact that Le Brun is actually 'licensed to sell sick fruit', or $ass on his sick 'gift'#
1# +!*+R+N
2he words '6hristian' and 'witches', $laced together, e"$hasi.es the dual nature of the wo"en in the
village# 2hey are good 6hristian wo"en who "ean no har", but their fear of the 'difference' that they
sense in Le Brun ;contributed by his "ode of dress
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
17/34
Once Upon A Time - Literature Notes(
5#+nce u$on a ti"e, son,they used to laugh with their hearts
and laugh with their eyesG
but now 1#they only laugh with their teeth,
while 0#their ice-block eyes
>#search behind "y shadow#
2here was a ti"e indeed
they used to ?#shake hands with their heartsG
but that's gone, son# Now they shake hands without hearts
while their left J#hands search
"y e"$ty $ockets#
'&eel at ho"e' '6o"e again' G
they say, and when I co"e
again and feel
at ho"e, once, twice
there will be no thrice -
for then I find doors shut on "e#
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
18/34
)o I have learnt "any things, son#
/#I have learnt to wear "any faces
like dresses - ho"eface,
officeface, streetface, hostface
cocktail face, with all their /#confor"ing s"iles like a fi8ed $ortrait s"ile#
And I have learned, too#to laugh with only "y teeth
and shake hands without "y heart
I have also learnt to say, ':oodbye',
when I "ean ':ood-riddance' G
to say ':lad to "eet you',
without being gladG and to say 'It's been
nice talking to you', after being bored#
But believe "e, son#
I want to be what I used to be
when I was like you# I want
@#unlearn all these "uting things#*ost of all, I want to relearn
how to laugh, for /#"y laugh in the "irror
shows only "y teeth like a snake's bare fangs
)o show "e, son,
how to laughG show "e how
I used to laugh and s"ile
5#once u$on a ti"e when I was like you#
)tan.a ?, lines 5@-1 co"$ares the $ersona's laugh to a snakes# (hen you think of a snake, words such assneaky and deceitful co"e to "ind# 2herefore, the i"$lication is that the $ersona is fake, ust like the
$eo$le he des$ises#
5# RE4E2I2I+N
2his $hrase is re$eated at the beginning and the end of the $oe"# 2his usually signals the beginning of a
fairy tale# 2herefore, it is i"$lied that the $ersona is nostalgic about the $ast#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is nostalgic# 2he $ersona is re"e"bering how things used to be when he was
young and innocent, like his son#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is sad# 2he $oet's res$onse to his nostalgia is sadness#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+RIA2I+N
eath, childhood e8$eriences, hy$ocrasy, loss of innocence, desire9drea"s#
O It is IR+NI6 that the $ersona is behaving in the e8act way that he des$ises# owever, and there is an
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
19/34
i"$lication that things cannot go back to what he re"e"bers, due to the influence of societal
e8$ectations#
Orchi$s - Literature Notes
I leave this house
5#bo8 $ieces of the five week life I've gathered#
I'll send the" on
to fill s$aces in "y future life#
+ne thing is left
a s$ray of orchid so"eone gave
1#fro" bou7uet one who
"akes a ritual of flower-giving sent#
2he orchids have no fragrance
but $ur$le $etals draw you
to look at the /#$ur$le heart#
I watered the" once
when 0#the blosso"s were full blownlike $olished $oe"s#
I was sure they'd wilt
and I would toss the" out with the five week litter#
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
20/34
2hey were stubborn#
I starved the"#
2hey would not die#
2his "orning the bud at the stalk's ti$ >#unfurled#
I think I'll $luck the ?#full-blown bloo"s $ress the" between J#$ages of "e"ory#
4erha$s in their thin dried trans$arency
I'll discover their @#$eculiar $oetry#
/# 43N
2he $ur$le heart literally refers to the s$lash of color in the center of the orchid's bloo", but it could also
refer to the bravery of the flower# 2his is so because a $ur$le heart, in the ar"y, is a "edal that a soldier
receives for bravery#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is $ensive, or thoughtful# 2he $ersona is thinking about the lack of value that she $laces in the orchid#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is one of al"ost bored "using#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+R!eath, nature, survival, desire9 drea"s#
Sonnet Compose$ Upon )estminster Bri$ge* Septem+er ,* ./0
Earth has not anything to show "ore 1#fair%ull would he be of soul who could $ass by
A sight so touching in its >#"aesty%
0#2his 6ity now doth, like a gar"ent, wear
2he beauty of the "orningG silent, bare,
)hi$s, towers, do"es, theatres and te"$les Lie
o$en u$on the fields, and to the skyG
All bright and glittering in the s"okeless air#
/#Never did sun "ore beautifully ?#stee$
In his first s$lendour, valley, rock, or hillG
Ne'er saw I, never felt, a cal" so dee$
5#2he river glideth at his own stee$ will%
ear :od 1#the very houses see" aslee$GAnd all that "ighty heart is lying still
LI2ERAL *EANIN:
2he $ersona in this $oe" is reflecting on the
$erfection of the city# e believes that there is
nothing on Earth so beautiful as the city in the
"orning# +nly a dull $erson would not a$$reciate
such a "aestic sight# e is awed by the cal" of
the city#
LI2ERAR! EVI6E)
0# )I*ILE
2he $ersona co"$ares the "anner in which the beauty of the "orning settles over the city, to that of a
gar"ent on a body# 2his e"$hasi.es the $erfection of the beauty of the "orning, ust as a gar"ent flows
s"oothly over a body#
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
21/34
/# 4ER)+NI&I6A2I+N
• Lines K-0% 2he sun is referred to as a "ale who rises shar$ly and beautifully# 2his e"$hasi.es
the beauty of the city in the "orning# 2he use of this $ersonification also hel$s the reader to $ersonali.e this beauty#
• Line 0/% Like the sun, the river is $ersonali.ed as well# 2his allows the reader to see the river as
real, instead of a thing# It co"es alive and we can visuali.e it's "ove"ent, gliding, as beautiful#
• Line 05% (hen so"e-one is aslee$, they are usually $eaceful# 2herefore, when the $ersona
describes the houses as slee$ing, he is e"$hasi.ing the $eace that e8ists in the city in the
"orning# 2he inhabitants of the houses are aslee$, therefore the houses are 7uiet and $eaceful#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is $ensive, or thoughtful# 2he $ersona is e8$ressing his thoughts, and
reaction to, the city in the "orning#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is one of awe#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+RIA2I+N
Nature, $laces#
•
South - Literature Notes
0#But today I 1#reca$ture the islands
bright beaches% blue "ist fro" the ocean
rolling into the fisher"en's houses#
0#By these shores I was born% sound of the sea
ca"e in at "y window,/# life heaved and breathed in "e then
with the strength of that turbulent soil#
>#)ince then I have travelled% "oved far fro"
the beaches%
?#soourned in stoniest cities, walking the lands of the north0#In shar$, slanting sleet and the hail,
crossed countless saltless savannas and co"e
to this house in the forest /#where the shadows o$$ress "e
and the only water is rain and the te$id taste
of the river#
J#(e who are born of the ocean can never seek solace
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
22/34
in rivers% 5#their flowing runs on like our longing,
@#re$roves us our lack of endeavour and $ur$ose,
K#$roves that our striving will founder on that#
(e resent the" this wisdo", this freedo"% $assing us
toiling, waiting and watching their cunning declensions down to the sea#
Bright waves s$lash u$ fro" the rocks to refresh us,0#blue sea-shells shift in their wake
and 0#there is the thatch of the fisher"en's houses, the $ath
"ade of $ebbles, 00#and look
)"all urchins co"bing the beaches
look u$ fro" their tra$s to salute us%
they re"e"ber us ust as we left the"#
2he fisher"an, hawking the surf on this side
of the reef, stands u$ in his boat
and halloos us% a starfish lies in its $ool#
0#And gulls, white sails slanted seaward,
fly into li"itless "orning before us#
Brathwaite, F# ')outh' in A (orld of 4rose# Edited by *ark *c(att and a.el )i""onds *conald# 4earson E
• )tan.a 1, line 55% 2his device gives the reader a visual i"age of the scene# It is si"$le i"age that
highlights the $ersona's e8cite"ent at being ho"e and seeing scenes, even see"ingly
inconse7uential ones, that he knows and loves#
• )tan.a >, line 15% 2his alliteration gives the reader a visual of what the $ersona sees as $leasant
and cal"ing, as o$$osed to the alliteration in stan.a /# 2he sound that the alliteration illicits is a
cal" one, i"$lying that the $ersona is at $eace#
/#4ER)+NI&I6A2I+N
• )tan.a 0, lines ?-J% 2his device gives a beautiful i"$ression of the effect that the island had on
the $ersona# e felt whole when he was there, at $eace#
• )tan.a /, lines 0?-0J% 2he shadows, in this conte8t, re$resents his $ast life and e8$eriences on the
island# 2he "e"ories of his island illicits feelings of sadness, even ho"esickness# 2hese
"e"ories cast an o$$ressive shadow over his life in the north#
5#)I*ILE
2he $ersona co"$ares the flowing of the rivers, which re$resents the north, to his longing for his islandho"e# 2his co"$arison indicates that his longing is an intense one, he is ho"esick#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is reflective# 2he $ersona is thinking about his island ho"e, as well as $laces that
he has visited in the north#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" goes fro" being reflective, to being elated#
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
23/34
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+RIA2I+N
4atriotis", $laces, desires and drea"s
Test "atch Sa+ina 1ark - Literature Notes
4roudly wearing the 1#rosette of "y skin
I >#strut into )abina
5#England boycotting e8cite"ent bravely,
?#so"ething badly a"iss#
6ricket# Not the ga"e they $lay at Lords,
the crowd - 0#whoever saw a crowd
at a cricket "atchM - are cagedJ#vociferous $artisans, 7uick to take offence#
@#England si8ty eight for none at lunch#
0#'(hat sort o battin dat "anM
de" kaaan $lay cricket again, $ra$s de" should-a-borrow /#Lawrence Rowe'
And on it goes, K#the wicket slow
as the batting and the crowd restless#0#'Eh white bwoy, how you brudders de"
does sen we slee$ soM *e a $ay "onies
fe watch dis foolishnessM 6ho
)o I try to e8$lain in "y a"$shire drawl
about conditions in Fent,
about 0#sticky wickets and "uggy days
and the "onsoon season in *anchester
but fail to convince even "yself#
2he crowd's 00#loud 'busin drives "e out
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
24/34
0/#skulking behind a tarnished rosette
so"ewhat frayed now but unable, 7uite,
to conceal a 05#blushing nationality#
Brown, )# '2est *atch )abina 4ark' in A (orld of 4rose# Edited by *ark *c(att and a.el )i""onds *con
• )tan.a 5, line 0% 2his 7uestion re$resents the general frustration of the (est Indians in the
crowd# 2hey are annoyed that the cricket "atch is $rogressing so slowly#
• )tan.a 1, lines 0?-0@% 2hese 7uestions i"$ly that the (est Indian crowd's level of frustration has
escalated#
/# ALL3)I+N
2he allusion to Lawrence Rowe, a very colourful and successful (est Indian cricketer, e"$hasi.es the
fact that the "atch is slow and boring#
5# )AR6A)*
2o 'boycott' is to abstain fro", or to sto$, doing so"ething# 2herefore, the $ersona is being sarcastic
because e8cite"ent is a good thing# 4eo$le usually boycott for so"ething negative, therefore the $ersona
is, again, highlighting the slow and boring $ace of the cricket "atch#
O2here is a distinct 6+N2RA)2 between the beginning of the $oe" when the $ersona is $roud, and
'struts'# owever, by the end of the $oe", he is e"barrassed and 'skulking'
V+I6E)
2here are two distinct voices in this $oe"# 2he English "an's and the (est Indian's#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is tense#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is one of frustration ;(est Indian< and e"barrass"ent ;English "an
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
25/34
The )oman Speaks to the "an )ho Has mploye$ Her Son
er son was first known to her
as a sense of unease, >#a need to cry
for little reasons and a "etallic tide
rising in her "outh each "orning#
)uch signs "ade her know
that she was not alone in her body#
)he carried hi" ?#full ter"
J#tight u$ under her heart#
0#)he carried hi" like the $oorcarry ho$e, ho$e you get a break or a visa, ho$e one child go through
and re"e"ber you# e had no father#
2he "an she "ade hi" with had "ore
like hi", /#he was fair-"indedhe treated all his children
with e7ual and unbiased indifference#
)he raised hi" twice, once as "other
then as father, @#set no ceiling
on what he could be doctor
earth healer, $ilot take wings#But now he tells her is working
for you, 5#that you value hi" so "uch
you give hi" one whole sub"achine gun
for hi" alone#
e says 0#you are like a father to hi"
she is wondering what kind of father would 1#give a son hot and e8$loding
LI2ERAL *EANIN:
2he $ersona in this $oe" is telling the story of
a "other who loved her son# 2he "other
beca"e aware of the child's $resence when she
e8$erienced "orning sickness# )he $laced all
her ho$es in the child and raised hi" as a single
$arent because his father was indifferent to the
child's e8istence# 2he "other had set no
barriers on what the child could beco"e, but istold that he has an e"$loyer who values hi" so"uch that he is given his own sub"arine gun#
2he son tells his "other that his e"$loyer is
like a father to hi", but the "other wonders at
the father figure who $ur$osefully endangershis child# )he $re$ares for her son's death by
going downtown to buy funeral a$$arel# 2he
"other feels $owerless, so she $rays for her
child and says $rotective $sal"s for hi"# +n
the other hand, she reads $sal"s of retribution
for the e"$loyer and wee$s for her son# er
situation does not look good and is likened to a $artner syste" in which she draws both the first
and the last hand#
LI2ERAR! EVI6E)0# )I*ILE
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
26/34
death, when he asks hi" for bread#
)he went downtown and bought three
and one-third yard of black cloth
and a dee$ crowned and veiled hat
for the day he draw K#his bloody salary#
)he has no $ower over you and thisat 0#the level of earth, what she has
are $rayers and a "other's tears
and at 00#knee city she uses the"#
1#)he says $sal"s for hi"
she reads $sal"s for you
she wee$s for his soul
her 0/#eyewater covers you#
)he is throwing a 05#$artner
with 1#udas Iscariot's "other
the thief on the left hand side
of the cross, his "other is the 01#banker, 0>#herdraw though
is first and last for she still throwing two hands
as "other and father#
)he is $re$ared, she is done#1#Absalo"#
•
Lines 0-/% 2he $ersona e"$hasi.es thatthe "other $laced all her ho$es in her
son# (hen you are $oor, generally, you
have no $ros$ects, you only drea" and
ho$e# 2herefore, the $ersona uses this
"eta$hor to e"$hasi.e the "other's
de$endence on her son's success#
• Line 0J% 2he e"$loyer is being
co"$ared to a father figure# 2his
i"$lies that this $erson fills a ga$ inthe son's life#
/# )AR6A)*
2he $ersona a$$ears to $raise the child's father by referring to hi" as 'fair-"inded'# )he is, however,
chastising hi" for not only ignoring his son, but all of his other children#
5# IR+N! ;situational<
2he son innocently tells his "other that his e"$loyer values hi" so "uch that he gave hi" a whole
sub"achine gun for hi"self# 2he irony in this situation is that if you really care about so"eone, you do
N+2 give the" a gun due to the negative results that are bound to occur#1# ALL3)I+N ;biblical<
• Lines /@-/K% 2his line alludes to a $articular verse in the 6hristian Bible, Luke 00 vs 00# 2he
verse 7uestions what the actions of a good father should be#
• Lines 5@-5K% 4sal"s is a $articular cha$ter in the 6hristian Bible# In this cha$ter there are verses
for $rotection, the "other uses those for her son, as well as verses for retribution and rebuking# It
is i"$lied that the "other chooses those for the e"$loyer#
• Lines 15-1>% In the 6hristian Bible, udas Iscariot betrayed esus# 2herefore, it does not bode well
for the "other if she is in a '$artnershi$' with this $erson's "other because she "ight also be
betrayed# 2he banker in the '$artnershi$' also ha$$ens to be the thief on the left hand side of the
cross' "other# 2his also does not bode well for the "other if the a$$le does not fall far fro" the
tree#
• Line 1K% Absalo" is the son of avid, in the 6hristian Bible# Absalo" betrayed his father, which
i"$lies that the "other feels betrayed by her son because she has $laced all her ho$es in hi"#
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2011:%2011&version=NIVhttp://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2011:%2011&version=NIVhttp://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2011:%2011&version=NIV
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
27/34
*++9 A2*+)4ERE
2he "ood of the $oe" is reflective# 2he $ersona is thinking about a "other's res$onse to her son's life
choices#
2+NE 2he tone of the $oe" is $rag"atic and $essi"istic# 2he $ersona is telling the tale as it is, with no
$ositive energy#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+R!eath, love, survival, desires9 drea"s, childhood e8$eriences#
Theme For nglish B - Literature Notes
2he instructor said,
Go home and write
a page tonight.
And let that page come out of you -
Then it will be true.
0#I wonder if it's that si"$leM
I a" twenty-two, colored, born in (inston-)ale"#
5#I went to school there, then urha", thenhere to this college on the hill above arle"#
I a" the only colored student in the class#
2he ste$s fro" the hill lead down into arle",
through a $ark, then I cross )t# Nicholas,
Eighth Avenue, )eventh, and I co"e to the !,
the arle" Branch !, where I take the elevator
u$ to "y roo", sit down, and write this $age%
It's not easy to know what is true for you or "e
at twenty-two, "y age# But I guess I'" whatI feel and see and hear, arle", /#I hear you%
hear you, hear "e - we too - you, "e, talk on
this $age#
;I hear New !ork, too#< 0#*e - whoM
(ell, I like to eat, slee$, drink, and be in love#
I like to work, read, learn, and understand life#
I like a $i$e for a 6hrist"as $resent,
LI2ERAL *EANIN:
2he $ersona's lecturer gave hi" an assign"ent
to write a $age that reflects 'hi"', or his
character# 2he $ersona wonders if this is a
si"$le task, and begins to think about his life#
2hings like his age, $lace of birth, race and
$lace of residence# Based on these "usings, hesur"ises that he is confused due to his youth#
e guesses that he is what he feels, sees andhears, which is arle", New !ork# e
continues his "using about what he likes, and
concludes that he likes the sa"e things that
$eo$le of other races like# +n this basis, he
7uestions whether or not his $age will be
influenced by race# e concludes that it will not
be white# e ad"its that his instructor, as well
as the fact that this instructor is white, will have
so"e influence on his $age# e states that they
both influence each other, that is what beingA"erican is about# e believes that both of
the" "ight not want to influence each other,
but it cannot be hel$ed# e concludes that both
of the" will learn fro" each other, des$ite thefact that the instructor has the advantage of
being older, white and '"ore free'# All of these
"usings and conclusions beco"e his $age for
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
28/34
or records - Bessie, bo$, or Bach#
I guess being colored doesn't "ake "e not
like the sa"e things other folks like who are
other races#
0#)o will "y $age be colored that I writeM
Being "e, it will not be white#
1#But it will be
a $art of you, instructor#
!ou are white -
yet a $art of "e, as I a" a $art of you#
2hat's A"erican#
)o"eti"es $erha$s you don't want to be a $art
of "e# Nor do I often want to be a $art of you#
But we are, that's true
>#As I learn fro" you,
I guess you learn fro" "e -although you're older - and white -
and so"ewhat "ore free#
2his is "y $age for English B#
English B#
LI2ERAR! EVI6E)
0#RE2+RI6AL =3E)2I+N
• )tan.a /, line ?% 2he $ersona $onders
the ease of what he is asked to do# 2his
7uestion, in turn, actually highlights the
difficult nature of the task#
• )tan.a 5, line/1% 2his 7uestion
highlights the $ersona's confusion as to
who he is, or his character# e is
unsure#
• )tan.a 1, line 5/% 2he $ersona is
wondering whether his race will affect
what he writes on the $age# 2his isdes$ite the fact that he concludes that
race does not hinder $eo$le, in general,
liking the sa"e things#
/# RE4E2I2I+N
2his re$etition e"$hasi.es the $rofound i"$act that arle", New !ork, has had on the $ersonality of the
$ersona#
O It is interesting to note that the $ersona's '$age for English B' beco"es a ourney of self discovery that
actually does not end# e for"s no conclusion as to who he is because his $ersonality is still 'in $rocess'
*++9 A2*+)4ERE2he "ood of the $oe" is reflective#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is also reflective#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+RIA2I+N
Racis", $laces
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
29/34
)est %n$ies* U(S(A - Literature Notes
6ruising at thirty thousand feet above the endlessgreen 0#the island see"s like dice tossed on a
casino's bai.e, so"e co"e u$ lucky, others not#
4uerto Rico takes the $ot, /#the allas of the (est
Indies, /#silver linings on the clouds as we descend
are hall-"arked, 0#)an uan glitters like a
"averick's gold ring#
All across the 6aribbean we'd
collected ter"inals - 0#air$orts are like calling
cards, cultural finger$rintsG the hand written signs
at 4ort-au-4rince, 4iarco's slea.y tourist art, the
lethargic conte"$t of the baggage boys at 'Vere
Bird' in )t# ohns ####
And now for 1#$lush )an uan#
But the $ilot's bland you're
safe in my hands drawl crackles as we land, '3)
regulations de"and all $assengers not
dise"barking at )an uan stay on the $lane, Ire$eat, stay on the $lane#' 5#)ubtle 3ncle )a",afraid too "any >#des$erate blacks "ight re-
enslave this I sland of the free, "ight u"$ the
barbed
electric fence around
?#'A"erica's back yard' and clai" that vaunted
sanctuary ##### 5# 'give "e your $oor #####' 2hrough
LI2ERAL *EANIN:
2he $ersona is travelling in a $lane, looking downat )an uan, 4uerto Rico, as the $lane descends# e
is saying that this island is the wealthiest in the
6aribbean because it has won the ack$ot, it has
co"e u$ lucky# e then $oints out that he, and
others, had travelled to "any 6aribbean islands
and received a hint of the flavour of each island
through it's calling card, - its air$ort - all of which
fail when co"$ared to $lush )an uan# As they
land, they are instructed to stay on the $lane if their
destination is not )an uan# 2he $ersona takes
offence and states that A"erica does not want
blacks in )an uan, i"$lying that they "ight be a
disru$tive force# e notes the efficiency with
which things flow, enabling the" to take to theskies once "ore# uring the ascent, the $ersona
notes the contrast between the influences of the
6aribbean and A"erica# e likens )an-uan to a broken 2V, it Iooks good on the outside, but broken on the inside#
LI2ERAR! EVI6E)
0# )I*ILE
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
30/34
toughened, tinted glass J#the contrasts tantaliseG
3) $atrol cars glide across the shi""ering tar"ac,
containered baggage trucks unload with @#fierce
efficiency# )o soon we're cli"bing,
low above the $ulsing citystreetsG galvani.ed shanties overseen by
condo"iniu"s $olished 6adillacs shi""ying with $ushcarts and as we cli"b, )an-uan's K#fools-
glitter calls to "ind the shattered innards of a 2V
set that's fallen off the back of a lorry, all $ainted
valves and circuits 0#the road like twisted wires,
the bright cars, "icro-chi$s#
0#It's shar$ and agged and dangerous, and
belonged to so"e-one else#
• Line /% 4uerto Rico is co"$ared to dice
that is tossed on a casino's bai.e, it can
either co"e u$ with winning nu"bers, orlosing nu"bers# 4uerto Rico co"es u$with winning nu"bers in the ga"e of
chance, as reflected in its wealthy e8terior,
which is su$$orted by A"erica#
• Lines J-@% )an uan's glitter is co"$ared to a "averick's gold ring# 2he word "averick i"$lies
non-confor"ist, an individualist# 2his i"$lies that )an uan, 4uerto Rico is in the 6aribbean, but
not a $art of the 6aribbean# It belongs to A"erica#
• Lines 0-00% Air$orts are co"$ared to calling cards# 2his "eans that, like a calling card, the
7uality of the air$ort gives you an idea of the island's econo"ic status# 2he air$ort is also
co"$ared to a cultural finger$rint# A finger$rint is an individual thing, therefore the air$ort givesthe traveler an idea of the island's cultural landsca$e#
• Line 5K% 2he road is co"$ared to twisted wires# 2his "eans that the roads, fro" above, look both
$lentiful and curvy# 2his does not carry a $ositive connotation, but i"$lies confusion#
/# ALL3)I+N Line >% allas is an oil rich state in A"erica# 2herefore, "any of its inhabitants are
wealthy, and the state itself, is wealthy# By stating that )an uan is the allas of the (est Indies, it i"$liesthat it is a wealthy island in the (est Indies#
• Lines >-J% An allusion is being "ade to the well known clicheG 'every cloud has a silver lining'# It
"eans that behind everything that is see"ingly bad, there is good# In the conte8t of this $oe", it
"eans that the good, the silver lining, has a "ark, or sta"$, that authenticates its good 7ualityG it
is hall"arked# 2his i"$lies that it will always have its silver lining showing#
5# )AR6A)* Line /% 2his state"ent "eans the e8act o$$osite of what is stated# 2he $ersona is
disgusted that 3ncle )a" ;A"erica< would have such a regulation# 2his regulation bars anyone fro"
ste$$ing a toe on 4uerto Rican soil, if it is not your intended destination# !ou ust have to re"ain in the air
craft, no "atter the waiting $eriod, until it is ti"e for takeoff# 2he $ersona believes that the A"ericans are
being blatantly discri"inatory, and are atte"$ting to ca"ouflage it through the use of regulations# edoes not believe that they have achieved their goal of subtlety#
• Line /?% 2he $ersona i"$lies that A"erica is all talk and no action# 2hey really do not want the
$oor because they bar the" fro" entering and e8$ediently sends the" on their way when they
enter their air$ort# 2he state"ent is sarcastic because it is loaded with an alternate "eaning, due
to the contrast in state"ent and action#
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/baizehttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/baizehttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/baize
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
31/34
6+N2RA)2
2he contrast in this $oe" is found in stan.a ># 2he A"erican cars etc, against the $ushcarts# 2he
A"erican culture versus the 4uerto Rican culture#
*++9 A2*+)4ERE2he "ood of the $oe" is sarcastic#
2+NE
2he tone of the $oe" is slightly bitter, which is fueled by the sarcastic at"os$here#
2E*A2I6 6A2E:+RIA2I+N
iscri"ination, o$$ression, $laces, culture#
Balla$ o& Birmingham - Literature Notes
'*other dear, "ay I go downtowninstead of out to $lay,
0#and "arch the streets of Bir"ingha"
in a freedo" "arch todayM
0#'No, baby, no, you "ay not go,
for the dogs are fierce and wild,
and clubs and hoses, guns and ails
ain't good for a little child#'
'But "other, I won't be alone#
+ther children will go with "e,
0#and "arch the streets of Bir"ingha"
to "ake our country free#'
0#'No baby, no, you "ay not go,
for I fear those guns will fire#
But you "ay go to church instead,
and sing in the children's choir#'
)he has co"bed and brushed /# her night dark hair, and /# bathed rose $etal sweet,
and drawn white gloves on her s"all brown hands, and white shoes on her feet#
2he "other s"iled to know her child
was in the sacred $lace,
http://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.htmlhttp://www.bulbsoup.com/ln-comprehension.html
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
32/34
but that s"ile was the last s"ile
to co"e u$on her face#
&or when she heard the e8$losion,
her eyes grew 1#wet and wild#)he >#raced through the streets of Bir"ingha"
calling for her child#
)he ?# clawed through bits of glass and brick,
then lifted out a shoe#
'+, here's the shoe "y baby wore,
but, baby, where are youM
5# IR+N! ;situational<2he overwhel"ing irony that e8ists in this $oe" is the fact that the "other was so ada"ant about N+2
sending her child to the freedo" "arch, because she considered it to be so dangerous# !et it is while inchurch, the $lace that she thought was sacred and safe, that the child got killed#
2E*E
eath is the overwhel"ing the"e in this $oe"# A "other's over $rotectiveness does not, and see"ingly
cannot, $revent this tragic event fro" occurring#
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
33/34
The ynching - iterature 2otes
is s$irit in s"oke ascended to high heaven#
0#is father, by the cruellest way of $ain,
ad bidden hi" to his boso" once againG
2he 5#awful sin re"ained still unforgiven#
0#All night a bright and solitary star ;4erchance the one that ever guided hi",
!et gave hi" u$ at last to &ate's wild whi"<
ung $itifully o'er the swinging 1#char#
ay dawned, and soon the >#"i8ed crowds ca"e to view2he ?#ghastly body swaying in the sun%
2he wo"en thronged to look, but never a one
/#)howed sorrow in her eyes of J#steely blueG
And little lads, lynchers that were to be,
anced round the dreadful thing in @#fiendish glee#
Claude McKay A (orld of 4oetry ;/><
/# ALLI2ERA2I+N 9 *E2A4+R
• 2he alliteration serves the $ur$ose of drawing the readers' eye to this $articular $assage in the
$oe"# 2his line also doubles as a "eta$hor# In this case, the "eta$hor tells the reader that the
wo"an is white, because blue eyes are a feature of the 6aucasian race# It also highlights the level
of racis" in the society# 2his is the case because if wo"en, who are su$$ose to be nurturing andcaring, show steel ;unfeeling, clinical< in their eyes, then it is an echo of the views of the society#
2E*E
!acism
2he $oe" confronts a ti"e in history when Black $eo$le were not viewed as hu"an# +n this $re"ise,
they could be lynched without it causing a ri$$le in the "oral fiber of their society# 2he fact that wo"en
and children could view the charred re"ains with little or no feeling s$eaks volu"es about the e8tent to
which racist values were entrenched in the society#
8/18/2019 English B Poems (CSEC)
34/34