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English GCSE poems, English GCSE poems, useful words - Coggle Diagram
English GCSE poems
The Road
The Bus
At The Bus Station
The Enemies
Boxes
The Instant of My Death
These are the Times We Live in
English GCSE poems
Plaits
By Elizabeth Smither
structure
how society works
an extended metaphor
whole poem talks about plaits
but is really about society
regular (no rhyme scheme) three lines
blank verse
tercet
only 3 sentences
similes and metaphors
metaphor: "an anaconda plait"
simile: "like a thin grass snake"
1st stanza
I had two plaits: one thick
an anaconda plait and the other
more like a thin grass snake.
"had" in the past / childhood memory
half rhymes between "thick" and "snake"
comparison between the plaits of her hair
first plait is compared to an anaconda, a large, muscular snake.
metaphor as it is saying it
is
"an anaconda"
the 2nd plait is thinner and so it is compared to a "thin grass snake"
is a simile as it says it is "like a thin grass snake"
2nd stanza
My parting was on one side
a harvest, a rich waterfall
and a thin trickling river
metaphor of the harvest, waterfall, river
size and flow of the hair
contrast between rich and thin
waterfall - abundance of water
natural imagery
recurring point
Enjambment - how the water moves
3rd stanza
but they were companionably joined
and tied with a wide ribbon
whose loops and bows were equal.
equal - most important word
the strong can help uplift the weak. Both benefit through cooperation.
companionably - personification
internal rhythm
wide / tide
unity
5th stanza
strong help the weak and both are elevated
hung - strength & weight
can't be seen like justice
can feel its effects - same as justice
distributed - equality / fairness
justice rising up from people working together
differences no longer visible
4th stanza
Touch and Go
By Stevie Smith
Stanzas
3rd stanza
4th stanza
1st Stanza
5th stanza
6th stanza
7th Stanza
2nd stanza
Themes
rhyme rhythm and repetition
diction
"man" - mankind or humanity
"ass" -
"do not be impatient" - weighted down with human emotion
"passion and fret" - worried, anxious. mankind is stuck in the moment in time
"look" - imploring her to help him
"sorrowful" - mankind's emotions are a mixed blessing
" help him now?" - repeatedly tries calling for help from a higher power but gets no answer
"ancient enemies" - continuing to stand but mankind is stuck in this moment
"my creature" - sense of ownership and connection
"languish" - Smith's creature growing weak and more exhausted
lost wild strength and toughness
"praying" - faith? doubt?
some force pushing him
"slow" - negative lexiful feel of the poem
"touch and go" - outcome is uncertain, no conclusive answers
Rich or Poor or, Saint and Sinner
The Capital
A Long Journey
Song
an afternoon nap
Children of Wealth
useful words
Caesura - end / abrupt stop
Enjambement - flow on
Assonance -