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POETRY: DEREK MAHON - Coggle Diagram
POETRY: DEREK MAHON
'Discuss how effectively Derek Mahon makes use of language and imagery to address recurring themes of identity and belonging'. Support you answer with reference to the poetry of Mahon on your course.
TOPIC SENTENCES
- Mahon feels resentment towards his relationship with his Protestant upbringing in E
- Mahon reflects on how his grandfather identified with his work and how he kept at it even after his injury G
- Within TCRIP, Mahon imagines as though the proprietor is home-sick and feels like an outsider, much like himself - imagery + ref. (foreign restaurant, food etc)
- Mahon returns to the theme of identity in K by passively referencing the conflict between Ireland and England and it's oppression - contrast
CONCLUSION
Mahon's poetry explores the difficulty of finding identity and a place to call home not only for the poet, but for the characters in his poetry and even the reader who is dislocated and disturbed. Thought-provoking and complex poems of clarity and mystery.
INTRODUCTION
Agree - Mahon discusses the themes of identity and belonging by stepping into other people's shoes and questioning his relationship with his community. He uses interesting imagery, aural effects and a variety of tones.
'Derek Mahon's restrained poetic voice offers understanding and sympathy to the lives of outcasts'. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view? Develop your answer with reference to the poetry of Mahon on your course.
TOPIC SENTENCES
- ATT explores not only the harrowing experiences of the terrified passengers on the Titanic, but also recalls Bruce Ismay's unhappy life after he survived the tragedy of the sinking.
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imagery - visual/aural - alliteration brings to life the chaos of the night - Ismay's situation - gives us the opportunity to feel the panic and fear everyone felt that night
helps us rationalize ismay's selfish act and pity - symapthise with this broken man who acted on impulse in a terrifying moment
- In G, Mahon observes and comments on a recently retired Belfast shipyard worker.
- In TCRIP, the poet helps us to visualise places where people can get on with their ordinary lives - manager's sense of loneliness
- A uses the precise words of Captain Lawrence Oates when he went to his death to try and save his comrades on he failed expedition to reach the South Pole in 1912
repetition of final words - understanding + sympathising - alliteration, imagery ---> restrained + understanding
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CONCLUSION
Derek Mahon's carefully controlled voice expresses understanding and sympathy to those who exist on the margins of society through his effective use of multiple perspectives, amended poetic forms, clever use of rhyme, measured direct speech and colloquialisms, and restrained visual and aural imagery.
INTRODUCTION
Derek Mahon is fascinated by those on the edge of society; a retired grandfather, innocent victims of tragedy, troubled survivors, unassuming heroes. This compassionate poet enters their persona and lets readers observe and hear the outcasts. Mahon's refined awareness of the world is expressed in a restrained poetic voice that conveys his empathy
IDEAS
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colloquialisms, repetition, alliteration
'Mahon often presents fresh, subtle perspectives on historical events through his innovative and skilful use of language'. Discuss this view, developing your answer with reference to the poetry of Derek Mahon on your course.
TOPIC SENTENCES
- (Contrasting images disclose different viewpoints on Ireland past and present) - K
- Tranquility of the present contrasts with the turbulent past - does history repeat itself and is the human race doomed - R
- (Ambivalent perspective using satire, visual imagery and compound words - love/hate relationship with Ulster - Protestantism - E
- (Shocking symbolism and a compassionate tone combine to reveal poet's stance on suffering - damning personification and metaphors - ADSICW
CONCLUSION
Mahon's keen eye for detail, honest approach and technical ability produces poetry which has many unusual, complex positions aimed at disturbing and provoking the reader to gaze intently on historical events, and, where appropriate, to take action
INTRODUCTION
Agree - Mahon's intense poetry honestly presents multiple angles on history through energetic yet finely drawn visual and aural imagery. Employs satire but also compassion, encouraging readers to reflect on past events.
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