Literature Paper 2

Poetry

Achieving Level 5 and Level 6 (Grades 7 – 9)

Models for Success

Name:Class:

SECTION B: POETRY

LO: to understand how to compare texts effectively in the exam (Literature Paper 2)

Which structure would you find easier to use and why?

Q25: Compare how poets present growing up in ‘Mother, Any Distance’ and in one other poem

from ‘Love and relationships’.

1. Identify comparative connectives2. Identify comparisons3. Identify methods named4. Identify points and comments

Armitage presents growing up in ‘Mother, any distance’, in the quotation “Anchor kite.” The word

‘Anchor’ is a noun and it shows that growing up is a good thing but the relationship with his mother

is eternal and everlasting and nothing can break it since their relationship is so secure as an

Anchor is secure once in the ground. Simon Armitage is saying that a familial love is so strong

even when growing up. You still need your mothers in any situation in life like in this poem sorting

out your new home.

Whereas Heaney present growing up in Follower. In the quotation, “Tripping, falling and yapping.”

This is a Triplet. The words ‘Tripping, falling’ and ‘yapping’ are all verbs. They show that when you

are little your parents are the people who you look up to so you do make the mistakes at first.

Heany is showing that it is parents who leave the way for us as it is a guidance.

On the other hand Armitage presents growing up in the quotation, “Mother any distance greater

than a single span”. The word ‘distance’ shows is a noun. It shows that even though the mother is

at a distance between them the mother lives within her son but she will always be with him.

Armitage is showing that no matter what the distance is your mother is there.

In addition, Armitage presents growing up in the quotation, “requires a second pair of hands”. This

quotation shows that it is an enjambment as the lines carry on. The word ‘pair’ is an adjective and it

shows the close relationship. It also shows that one pair of hands is not as good as having a

second pair as there is more support and guidance.

This is a low level 4 response (grade 5). What does the candidate need to do to improve his grade?

What skills makes this a much stronger response than the example we looked at previously?

What skills makes this a much stronger response than the example we looked at first?

Compare how the writers present relationships in ‘When we two Parted’ and one other poem from the Love and Relationships cluster.

Compare how the writers present ideas about love in ‘Sonnet 29 and one other poem from the Love and Relationships cluster.

Compare how the writers present the effects of love in ‘Singh Song’ and one other poem from the Love and Relationships cluster.

Compare how the writers present ideas about romance in ‘Love’s Philosophy’ and one other poem from the Love and Relationships cluster.

Compare how familial love is presented in Mother any Distance and one other poem from the love and Relationships cluster.

Compare how suffering is presented in Mother any Distance and one other poem from the love and Relationships cluster.

English Literature Paper 2 – Section B – Poetry

Compare how poets present romantic love in ‘Singh Song!’ and in one other poem from ‘Love and relationships’.

Compare how poets present growing up in ‘Mother, any distance’ and in one other poem from ‘Love and relationships’.

Compare how poets present family relationships in ‘Climbing my Grandfather’ and in one other poem from ‘Love and relationships’.

Compare how poets present romantic love in ‘Sonnet 29’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and in one other poem from ‘Love and relationships’.

Compare how poets present strong connections between people in ‘Letters from Yorkshire’ and in one other poem from ‘Love and Relationships’.

Compare how poets present attitudes towards a parent in ‘Follower’ and in one other poem from ‘Love and relationships’.

Compare how poets present controlling relationships in Porphyria’s Lover’ and in one other poem from ‘Love and relationships’.

Compare how poets present strong feelings in ‘Winter Swans’ and in one other poem from ‘Love and Relationships’.

Unseen Poetry:

A) You shouldn’t be scared of this question as we treat all of poetry as unseen. Use the approaches we have developed in class, focussing upon the question to help you to guide your reading of the text. Remember that you must explore ideas and abstract ideas as well as consider how the writer uses language and structure to convey meaning.

What skills makes this a Level 6 response?

What must you do to ensure you achieve level 5+ (in terms of skills)?

Comparing Unseen Poetry – Again, don’t be afraid of this question but you MUST compare the methods used. A good starting point would be to compare the significance of openings and endings and compare imagery. Don’t spend more than 15 minutes on this question as it is only worth 8 marks. What qualities make this a full mark response?

Unseen and Comparing the Unseen

You need to spend approximately 30 minutes on the first unseen poem and then 15 minutes on the comparison. Using SPEED like structures to organise your ideas is important.

In the poem, (the writer) conveys/presents/shows/suggests/implies…………….through/by using (method) such as “quotation". The word/phrase “quotation” is particularly effective as it evokes a sense of………………… Furthermore, it crystalises/makes it clear/highlights/echos …………………. helping the audience to understand…………………………………….. This could also link to……………………………….. which further highlights………………………………..

How do you think the speaker feels about the child and his experience of learning to read and how does the poet present the speaker’s feelings? (24 marks)

Slow Reader

He can make sculpturesAnd fabulous machinesInvent games, tell jokesGive solemn, adult adviceBut he is slow to read.When I take him on my kneeWith his Ladybird book*He gazes into the airSighing and shaking his headLike an old manWho knows the mountainsAre impassable.

He toys with wordsLetting them grow coldAs gristly* meatUntil I relentAnd let him wriggle free –A fish returning To its elementOr a white-eyed colt*Shying from the bit*As if he seesThat if he takes itIn his mouthHe’ll never runQuite free again.

*Ladybird book – a book to help children learn to read

*gristly – tough, chewy

*colt – a young horse

*bit – a piece of metal put in a horse’s

In both ‘Slow Reader’ and ‘Advice To A Teenage Daughter’ the speakers explore relationships between parents and children. What are the similarities and/or differences between the ways the poets present these relationships?

(8 marks)(ways means methods)

Advice To A Teenage Daughter

You have found a new war-gamecalled Love.Here on your dressing-tablestand arrangedbrave ranks of lipsticksbrandishingswords of cherry pink and flame.Behold the miniature armies of little jars,packed with the scenteddynamite of flowers.See the dreaded tweezers;tiny pots of manufactured moonlight,stick-on-stars.

Beware my sweet;conquest may seem easybut you can’t compete with football,motor-cycles, cars,cricket, computer gamesor a plate of chips.

Isobel Thrilling

Similar toIn the same way

As inThis is like

Akin to

HoweverContrastingly

In a different way

How does the speaker feel about homelessness and how does the poet present the these feelings? (24 marks)

Down and Out, Paddington StationWeighed down by paper bagsAnd tired, string-tied coatShe shuffled among the tablesInspecting the abandoned drinksThen sat and dozed the timetable awayThe faded hair told nothingAbove the lines of ingrained dirtShe had a little timeBefore the midnight deadlineWe did not know her destination –Perhaps a doorway in the Euston RoadThe cheerful flowers mocked herWatched by unseeingSleeping the sleep of the unloved.Christine Boothroyd

In both ‘Down and Out, Paddington Station’ and ‘Tramp’ the speakers explore issues relating to homelessness. What are the similarities and/or differences between the ways the poets present these issues? (8 marks)

TrampThis mad prophetgibbers* mid-traffic,wringing his handswhilst mouthing at heaven.No messages for us.His conversation is simplya passage through time.He points and calls.Our uneven stares dissuade*approach. We fear him, hismatted hair, patched coat,grey look from sleeping out.We mutter amongst ourselvesand hope he keeps away. Noplace for him in our heaven,there it’s clean and empty.

*gibbers – speaks so fast it sounds like nonsense*dissuade – persuade againstRupert M. Loydell.

Similar toIn the same way

As in

HoweverContrastingly

In a different way

Section C: Unseen Poetry

Answer both questions in this section

Solitude

Laugh, and the world laughs with you;

Weep, and you weep alone;

For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,

But has trouble enough of its own.

Sing, and the hills will answer;

Sigh, it is lost on the air;

The echoes bound to a joyful sound,

But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;

Grieve, and they turn and go;

They want full measure of all your pleasure,

But they do not need your woe.

Be glad, and your friends are many;

Be sad, and you lose them all,—

There are none to decline your nectared wine,

But alone you must drink life’s gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;

Fast, and the world goes by.

Succeed and give, and it helps you live,

But no man can help you die.

There is room in the halls of pleasure

For a large and lordly train,

But one by one we must all file on

Through the narrow aisles of pain.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

27.1 In ‘Solitude,’ how does the poet present the speaker’s feelings about loneliness and companionship? [24 marks]

Ode on Solitude

Happy the man, whose wish and care

A few paternal acres bound,

Content to breathe his native air,

In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,

Whose flocks supply him with attire,

Whose trees in summer yield him shade,

In winter fire.

Blest, who can unconcernedly find

Hours, days, and years slide soft away,

In health of body, peace of mind,

Quiet by day,

Sound sleep by night; study and ease,

Together mixed; sweet recreation;

And innocence, which most does please,

With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;

Thus unlamented let me die;

Steal from the world, and not a stone

Tell where I lie.

Alexander Pope

27.2 In ‘Solitude’ and ‘Ode to Solitude’, the poets describe their feelings about loneliness and solitude. What are the similarities and/or differences between the ways the poets describe these feelings?

[8 marks]