English B Poems (csec) z2h6u

A Contemplation Upon Flowers - Literature Notes BRAVE flowers--that I could gallant it like you, And be as little vain! You come abroad, and make a harmless show, And to your beds of earth again. You are not proud: you know your birth: For your embroider'd garments are from earth. You do obey your months and times, but I Would have it ever Spring: My fate would know no Winter, never die, Nor think of such a thing. O that I could my bed of earth but view And smile, and look as cheerfully as you! O teach me to see Death and not to fear, But rather to take truce! How often have I seen you at a bier, And there look fresh and spruce! You fragrant flowers! then teach me, that my breath Like yours may sweeten and perfume my death.. Stanza 2, line 14: This is another comparison between the persona and the plant. The persona wishes that he could look death in the face and be cheerful, like the plant. Again, this emphasizes that he fears death. 2. EUPHEMISM This phrase is a replacement for the word death. It softens death and makes it appear welcoming and pleasant. 3. IRONY It is ironic that the flowers look so fresh and alive, when they are facing their very mortality, on the top of a casket. Death is a sad affair, yet the flowers are at their best when ushering people back to the earth. 4. PERSONIFICATION The persona is speaking directly to the flowers and giving them human qualities, therefore, the whole poem is an example of the use of personification at its best. He even goes as far as to ask the flowers to teach him things that will allow him to acquire their qualities. TONE The tone of the poem is iration, because the persona literally ires the flowers for its accepting attitude towards death. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood, or atmosphere of the poem is a pensive one. The persona is thinking about death, how he relates to it versus how others relate to it. CONTRAST A contrast in this poem is the persona's fear of death, versus the flowers' acceptance of it. THEMATIC CATEGORY Death, nature,

O'l Higue - Literature Notes You think I like this stupidness! gallivanting all night without skin, burning myself out like cane-fire to frighten the foolish? And for what? A few drops of baby blood? You think I wouldn't rather take my blood seasoned in fat black-pudding, like everyone else? And don't even talk 'bout the pain of salt and having to bend these old bones down to count a thousand grains of rice! If only babies didn't smell so nice! And if I could only stop hearing the soft, soft call of that pure blood running in new veins, singing the sweet song of life tempting an old, dry-up woman who been holding her final note for years and years, afraid of the dying hum ... Then again, if I didn't fly and come to that fresh pulse in the middle of the night, 2.how would you, mother, name your ancient dread? And who to blame for the murder inside your head ...? Believe me As long as it have women giving birth a poor ol' higue like me can never dead.

LITERAL MEANING In this poem, the Ol' Higue / soucouyant tells of her frustration with her lifestyle. She does not like the fact that she sometimes has to parade around, in the form of a fireball, without her skin at night. She explains that she has to do this in order to scare people, as well as to acquire baby blood. She explains that she would rather acquire this blood via cooked food, like every-one else. Her worst complaint is the pain of salt, as well as having to count rice grains. She exhibits some regret for her lifestyle but implies that she cannot resist a baby's smell, as well as it's pure blood. The 'newness' of the baby tempts the Ol' Higue, and she cannot resist because she is an old woman who fears death, which can only be avoided by consuming the baby's blood. She affirms her usefulness in the scheme of things, however, by claiming that she provides mothers with a name for their fears (this being the death of a child), as well as some-one to blame when the evil that they wish for their child, in moments of tired frustration, is realized. She implies that she will never die, so long as women keep having babies.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE Cane-fire has a very distinct quality. It burns very quickly and its presence is felt through it's pungent smell. Therefore, when the Ol' Higue compares herself to cane fire in her fireball state, it implies that she uses a lot of energy quickly, and is very visible. 2. RHETORICAL QUESTION 

Stanza 1,line 4: This rhetorical question highlights the scant regard that the Higue has for the average person. She is thoroughly annoyed that she has to literally waste her energy on them.

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Stanza 1, line 5: This highlights the fact that, again, she is annoyed that she has to expend so much energy to obtain a few drops of baby blood.

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Stanza 1, lines 6-8: The Ol' Higue is emphasizing the fact that regular people ingest blood too, just in a more palatable manner. She would not mind if she could ingest it in the same manner as well.

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Stanza 3, lines 22-23: At this point the Ol' Higue is making excuses for her presence, claiming that she serves an actual purpose in the scheme of life. If a child dies of unknown causes, she can be scapegoated for it.

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Stanza 3, lines 24-25: 'The murder inside your head' refers to the moments, when out of pure frustration and tiredness, a mother might wish ill on her child. The Ol' Higue is implying that, again, she can be used as a scapegoat if something unfortunate happens to the child. The mother is relieved of bearing the burden of guilt.

3. REPETITION The repetition of the word 'soft' emphasizes the fact that the call of the child's blood has captured and beguiled the Ol' Higue'. She implies that she cannot resist that call. 4. ALLITERATION This device emphasizes the Ol' Higue's dependence, even addiction, to the sweet blood of the baby. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. TONE The tone of the poem is slightly bitter and resigned. She accepts that the cycle of her life cannot change. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Supernatural

A Stone's Throw - Literature Notes We shouted out 'We've got her! Here she is! It's her all right '. We caught her. There she was A decent-looking woman, you'd have said, (They often are) Beautiful, but dead scared, Tousled - we roughed her up A little, nothing much And not the first time By any means She'd felt men's hands Greedy over her body – But ours were virtuous, Of course. And if our fingers bruised Her shuddering skin, These were love-bites, compared To the hail of kisses of stone, The last assault And battery, frigid rape, To come Of right. For justice must be done Specially when It tastes so good. And then - this guru, Preacher, God-merchant, God-knows-what Spoilt the whole thing, Speaking to her (Should never speak to them) Squatting on the ground - her level, Writing in the dust Something we couldn't read. And saw in her Something we couldn't see

LITERAL MEANING A crowd has caught a woman. The persona implies to the reader that the woman is not decent. She was beautiful, but scared because she had gotten 'roughed up' a little by the crowd. The persona states that the woman has experienced men's hands on her body before, but this crowd's hands were virtuous. He also makes a proviso that if this crowd bruises her, it cannot be compared to what she has experienced before. The persona also speaks about a last assault and battery to come. He justifies this last assault by calling it justice, and it is justice that feels not only right, but good. The crowd's 'justice' is placed on hold by the interruption of a preacher, who stops to talk to the lady. He squats on the ground and writes something that the crowd cannot see. Essentially, the preacher judges them, thereby allowing the lady to also judge the crowd, leading to the crowd inevitably judging itself. The crowd walks away from the lady, still holding stones [which can be seen as a metaphor for judgments] that can be thrown another day.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. SARCASM The persona is making the point that the lady was in fact NOT decent looking. 2. PERSONIFICATION This device is particularly effective because the word 'kisses' is used. Kiss implies something pleasant, but it is actually utilized to emphasize something painful that has happened to the lady; she was stoned. 3. PUN

At least until He turned his eyes on us, Her eyes on us, Our eyes upon ourselves. We walked away Still holding stones That we may throw Another day Given the urge.

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Title: The title of the poem is itself a pun on two levels. A stone's throw is used by many people in the Caribbean to describe a close distance. eg. "She lives a stone's throw away". The other use of the title is to highlight the content of the poem. It is a figurative stoning, or judging, of a woman.

Line 23: There is a play on the word 'come'. The persona is telling the reader that the crowd is planning to rape the lady. This act is to come, or occur, in the near future. Come, in this context, also means to ejaculate, the culmination of the act of sex. The rapists in the crowd also plan to 'come'.

4. ALLUSION (biblical) The content of the poem alludes to the story of Mary Magdalene in the Christian Bible. See John 8 v 5-7. TONE The tone of the poem is mixed. At times it is almost braggadocious, then it becomes sarcastic, moving to scornful. THEMATIC CATEGORY Discrimination, religion, survival, hypocrasy, oppression, alienation.

Dreaming Black Boy - Literature Notes I wish my teacher's eyes wouldn't go past me today. Wish he'd know it's okay to hug me when I kick a goal. Wish I myself wouldn't hold back when an answer comes. I'm no woodchopper now like all ancestor's. I wish I could be educated to the best of tune up, and earn good money and not sink to lick boots .I wish I could go on every crisscross way of the globe and no persons or powers or hotel keepers would make it a waste. I wish life wouldn't spend me out opposing. Wish same way creation would have me stand it would have me stretch, and hold high, my voice Paul Robeson's, my inside eye a sun. Nobody wants to say hello to nasty answers. .I wish torch throwers of night would burn lights for decent times. Wish plotters in pyjamas would pray for themselves. Wish people wouldn't talk as if I dropped from Mars 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.

LITERAL MEANING The poem is about a black boy who wishes that he could have regular things in life. Things such as a congratulatory hug, to be educated to the highest level and to travel without harassment. The persona yearns to stop fighting for the basic right to be successful and to rise above societal expectations.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. REPETITION: The constant repetition of the phrase 'I wish' points to a yearning, a desperation even, for the basic things that life has to offer. The repetition gives credence to the idea that the persona might believe that his wishes are actually dreams that might not come true. 2. ALLUSION: 

Stanza 1, lines 6 and 7, alludes to slavery, the state of lacking control over one's own life and destiny. The fact that reference is made to this hints to how the persona feels about his life. He does not feel as if he has control over it.

Stanza 3, lines 19 to 20, alludes to Paul Robeson, a black intellectual, who attained success despite difficult circumstances. The persona yearns to be like this person. He wants room to stretch intellectually.

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Stanza 4, lines 22 to 25, alludes to the klu klux klan. Burning lights refers to the burning of crosses and the pyjamas alludes to their white outfits that look like pyjamas. The persona wants them to leave him alone, find something else to do other than make his life difficult by contributing to his wishes remaining in the realm of the dreams.

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TONE The tone/mood of the poem is one of sadness. The persona is thinking about how he is treated and he reacts to this in a sad way. He keeps wishing that things were different. THEMATIC CATEGORY: Racism, survival, oppression, desire/dreams.

Dulce et Decorum Est - Literature Notes Bent double, like old beggars under sacks Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind. Gas! Gas! Quick boys! - An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling, And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime ... Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,My friend, you would not tell with such a high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.

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Stanza 4, line 39: Cancer is a horrible disease that takes many lives on a daily basis. Therefore, to compare this dying soldiers face to this disease is to emphasize the agony that the soldier was going through, which was reflected on his face.

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Stanza 4, lines 39-40: This is another graphic comparison that compares the soldier's face to incurable sores. 'Sores' is a disgusting visual image of degradation which, in turn, highlights the soldier in the throes of death.

ALLITERATION 

Stanza 1, line 7: This device points to the level of fatigue that the soldiers were undergoing.

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Stanza 1, lines 7-9: This highlights not only the fatigue that the soldiers were feeling, but the fact that they were injured as well.

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Stanza 4, lines 29-30: This device highlights a visually graphic death mask. The soldier is in the throes of impending death.

MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. The persona/ poet is thinking about his experiences in WW1. TONE The general tone of the poem is both sarcastic and ironic. The persona/ poet tries to present a visual of the realities of war while using the haunting words that contradict that reality. It is, in fact, NOT sweet and honourable to die for one's country. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION War, death, survival, oppression, patriotism

Epitaph - Literature Notes They hanged him on a 4. clement morning, 5. swung between the falling sunlight and the women's breathing, 1.like a black apostrophe to pain. All morning while the children 2.hushed their hopscotch joy and 6.the cane kept growing 3.he hung there sweet and low. At least that's how they tell it. It was long ago and 7.what can we recall of a dead slave or two except when we 8.punctuate our island tale 1.they swing like sighs across 9.the brutal sentences, and 10.anger pauses till they away. LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE 

Stanza 1, line 4: The swinging body of the slave is compared with an apostrophe to pain. This comparison is very powerful because, in English grammar, an apostrophe represents ownership. Therefore, it is implying that the pain of the black race is so palpable that it is almost something that they own. It emphasizes the painful nature of their history.

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Stanza 2, line 14: The dead slave's body's swing is compared to sighs. A sigh is an exhalation of breathe that can signal many feelings; relief, agitation, joy, etc., with the major quality being brevity. Therefore, the emphasis is not necessarily on the feeling that the dead slave elicits, upon being ed, but the brevity with which he is ed.

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2. METAPHOR This metaphor emphasizes the fun that the children paused, out of respect for the swinging body of the dead slave. 3. ALLUSION This line alludes to the Negro Spiritual 'Swing Low'. This spiritual speaks of an individual's journey to heaven. This relates to this poem because it carries the implication that the slave's soul has gone to heaven. He hung 'sweet and low' and the chariot came for him, his soul is at rest.

MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective TONE The tone of the poem is reflective and slightly sarcastic.

THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Death, racism, desires and dreams

Forgive My Guilt - Literature Notes

Not always sure what things called sins may be, I am sure of one sin I have done. It was years ago, and I was a boy, I lay in the 1.frost flowers with a gun, 2.the air ran blue as the flowers; I held my breath, 2.two birds on golden legs slim as dream things 2.ran like quick silver o With 1.jagged ivory bones where wings should be. For days I heard them when I walked that headland, crying out to their them, 1.Those slender flutes of sorrow never cease, 3.Two airy things forever denied the air! I never knew how their lives Airy, and beautiful will forgive my guilt.

Line 8: The sand is being compared to gold, the colour. It is emphasizing how beautiful the setting was. Line 12: This metaphor emphasizes the injuries that the birds sustained. The bones are compared to jagged ivory, which is a direct contrast to the smooth feathers that existed before the injury. Lines 20-21: The birds are compared to a flute, an instrument that plays beautiful music. This emphasizes the sadness that is related to their death. 2. SIMILE Line 5: The air and the flowers are being compared, both are blue. Lines 6-7: This simile offers a beautiful visual image of the birds. Dreams are beautiful, and the birds are compared to this. 

Line 7: The speed of the birds is being highlighted, while also maintaining that beautiful visual imagery.

3. PUN The pun is between the words 'airy' and 'air'. 'Airy' means light and beautiful, while 'air' refers to the sky and flying. The poet is lamenting that these light and beautiful things can no longer fly and feel the pleasure of air rushing past them. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is nostalgia and guilt. TONE The tone of the poem is sad. The poet's response to his guilt is sadness. THEMATIC CATEGORY Death, childhood experiences, nature, guilt, loss of innocence, desire/dreams.

God's Grandeur - Literature Notes The world is 7.charged with the 8.grandeur of God. 1.It will flame out, like shining from shook foil: 1.It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. 2.Why do men then now not reck 3.his rod? 4.Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; 9.And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; 5.And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil is bare now, 10.nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent; 5.There lives the dearest freshness deep down things; And though the last lights off the black West went Oh, morning, 5.at the brown brink eastward, springs Because the 11.Holy Ghost over the bent 6.World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

2. RHETORICAL QUESTION The persona questions why men do not care about God's wrath. He implies that this wrath is sure because the Earth is charged, or commanded with the grandeur of God. 3. ALLUSION (biblical) This 'rod' refers to the rod of correction that is found in the Christian Bible. See 2 Samuel 7:14. This line implies that God will punish man for being reckless with the world. 4. REPETITION This device highlights the damage that man has done to the world. Trodding implies that one walks, or tramples, in order to crush or injure. 5. ALLITERATION 

Lines 10-11: This device emphasizes the impact that man has had on his environment. He has impacted every crevice of the world in some negative way, as implied by words such as 'smudge'.

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Lines 14-15: This device clarifies that the Earth is resilient, no matter what man does to harm it, it will bounce back.

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Lines 18-19: This device simply re-iterates the resilience of the Earth, we can actually visualize the sun rising.

6. PERSONIFICATION When one broods, they are pondering on something. Therefore, the world ponders, but in a positive way, with warm breasts. This implies that it feels good because it has persevered despite of man's interference. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is pensive because the persona is reflecting on man's influence on the world. TONE The tone of the poem is one of confidence and formality. THEMATIC CATEGORY Nature, religion

It is the Constant Image of your Face - Literature Notes It is the 3.constant image of your face framed in my hands as you knelt before my chair the 4.grave attention of 1.your eyes surveying me amid my 5.world of knives that stays with me, 1.perennially accuses and convicts me of 2.heart's-treachery: and neither you nor I can plead excuses for you, you know, can claim no loyalty my land takes precedence of all my loves. Yet I beg mitigation, pleading guilty for you, my dear, accomplice of my heart made, without words, 6.such blackmail with your beauty and proffered me such dear protectiveness that I confess without remorse or shame my still-fresh treason to1.my country

and hope that she, my other, dearest love will pardon freely, not attaching blame being your mistress (or your match) in tenderness.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. PERSONIFICATION 

Lines 4, 6-7: The love interest's eyes constantly accuses and convicts the persona. This device highlights the extent to which the persona has hurt this person.

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Lines 18-20: The persona hopes that his country, his other dearest love, will forgive him for the treasonous act of loving another. This highlights the patriotism that defines the persona's relationship to his country.

2. OXYMORON The term heart's-treachery implies that the heart, something so vital and indicative of love, has committed a terrible crime. It highlights the heartbreak that the persona has caused his love interest. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. The persona is thinking about his two loves and how he is torn between them. TONE The tone of the poem is sadness and guilt. The persona is guilt ridden over this love triangle and sadness permeates the words that he uses to describe it. THEMATIC CATEGORY Love, guilt, patriotism, places, desires/ dreams

Le Loupgarou - Literature Notes A 5.curious 1.tale that threaded through town Through greying women sewing under eaves, Was how his greed had brought old Le Brun down, 1.greeted by slowly shutting jalouses When he approached them in 6.white linen-linen suit, Pink glasses, cork hat and 2.tap-tapping cane, 3.A dying man licensed to sell sick fruit, Ruined by fiends with whom he'd made a bargain. It seems one night, these 4.Christian witches said, He changed himself into an 7.Alsatian hound, A slathering lycenthrope, hot on a scent, 1.But his own watchman dealt the thing a wound Which howled and lugged its entrails, trailing wet With blood back to its doorstep, almost dead.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. ALLITERATION

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Lines 1-3: This alliteration gives the reader a visual imagery of the manner in which the gossip about Le Brun spread. A thread is thin and fine and can weave itself in any crevice, sometimes in a very non-linear and sinuous manner. This describes the way in which the gossip spread. It managed to touch the whole village in an almost insiduous, and complete, manner.

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Line 5: This literary device speaks to the results of the gossip. Le Brun is alienated from the people of the town. Their fascination with him, however, is evident by the fact that they slowly shut their jalouses/windows. The lack of speed implies that they are watching him, while also alienating him.

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Lines 17-21: This alliteration highlights the severity of the loupgarou's injuries. You can almost see and hear the wetness of the blood, as well as see the entrails trailing wet through the use of this device.

2. ONOMATOPOEIA The tap-tapping cane is a part of Le Brun's physical description. He appears to stand out, in of his physical appearance, down to the use of his cane. 3. PARADOX This statement appears nonsensical at first, but actually makes sense in the long run. The loupgarou is, in fact, a man who is leading a half life as man and beast, so he is not really 'living'. The fact that he can on the 'gift' of becoming a werewolf clarifies the fact that Le Brun is actually 'licensed to sell sick fruit', or on his sick 'gift'. 4. OXYMORON The words 'Christian' and 'witches', placed together, emphasizes the dual nature of the women in the village. They are good Christian women who mean no harm, but their fear of the 'difference' that they sense in Le Brun (contributed by his mode of dress), leads them to react in an unchristian manner, like witches, in dealing with him. * IRONY It is ironic that Le Brun's own watchman dealt him a lethal blow. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. TONE The tone of the poem is calm and reflective. The persona appears to be simply recounting a piece of gossip. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Supernatural

Once Upon A Time - Literature Notes. 3.Once upon a time, son, they used to laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes; but now 4.they only laugh with their teeth, while 1.their ice-block eyes 5.search behind my shadow. There was a time indeed they used to 6.shake hands with their hearts; but that's gone, son. Now they shake hands without hearts while their left 7.hands search my empty pockets. 'Feel at home'! 'Come again' ; they say, and when I come again and feel at home, once, twice there will be no thrice for then I find doors shut on me.

So I have learnt many things, son. 2.I have learnt to wear many faces like dresses - homeface, officeface, streetface, hostface cocktail face, with all their 2.conforming smiles like a fixed portrait smile. And I have learned, too. to laugh with only my teeth and shake hands without my heart I have also learnt to say, 'Goodbye', when I mean 'Good-riddance' ; to say 'Glad to meet you', without being glad; and to say 'It's been nice talking to you', after being bored. But believe me, son. I want to be what I used to be when I was like you. I want 8.unlearn all these muting things. Most of all, I want to relearn how to laugh, for 2.my laugh in the mirror shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs! So show me, son, how to laugh; show me how I used to laugh and smile 3.once upon a time when I was like you.

Stanza 6, lines 38-40 compares the persona's laugh to a snakes. When you think of a snake, words such as sneaky and deceitful come to mind. Therefore, the implication is that the persona is fake, just like the people he despises. 3. REPETITION This phrase is repeated at the beginning and the end of the poem. This usually signals the beginning of a fairy tale. Therefore, it is implied that the persona is nostalgic about the past. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is nostalgic. The persona is ing how things used to be when he was young and innocent, like his son. TONE The tone of the poem is sad. The poet's response to his nostalgia is sadness. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Death, childhood experiences, hypocrasy, loss of innocence, desire/dreams. * It is IRONIC that the persona is behaving in the exact way that he despises. However, and there is an

implication that things cannot go back to what he re, due to the influence of societal expectations.

Orchids - Literature Notes I leave this house 3.box pieces of the five week life I've gathered. I'll send them on to fill spaces in my future life. One thing is left a spray of orchid someone gave 4.from bouquet one who makes a ritual of flower-giving sent. The orchids have no fragrance but purple petals draw you to look at the 2.purple heart. I watered them once when 1.the blossoms were full blown like polished poems. I was sure they'd wilt and I would toss them out with the five week litter.

They were stubborn. I starved them. They would not die. This morning the bud at the stalk's tip 5.unfurled. I think I'll pluck the 6.full-blown blooms press them between 7.pages of memory. Perhaps in their thin dried transparency I'll discover their 8.peculiar poetry. 2. PUN The purple heart literally refers to the splash of color in the center of the orchid's bloom, but it could also refer to the bravery of the flower. This is so because a purple heart, in the army, is a medal that a soldier receives for bravery. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is pensive, or thoughtful. The persona is thinking about the lack of value that she places in the orchid. TONE The tone of the poem is one of almost bored musing. THEMATIC CATEGORY Death, nature, survival, desire/ dreams.

Sonnet Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802 Earth has not anything to show more 4.fair: Dull would he be of soul who could by A sight so touching in its 5.majesty: 1.This City now doth, like a garment, wear The beauty of the morning; silent, bare, Ships, towers, domes, theatres and temples Lie open upon the fields, and to the sky; All bright and glittering in the smokeless air. 2.Never did sun more beautifully 6.steep In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill; Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! 3.The river glideth at his own steep will: Dear God! 4.the very houses seem asleep; And all that mighty heart is lying still!

LITERAL MEANING The persona in this poem is reflecting on the perfection of the city. He believes that there is nothing on Earth so beautiful as the city in the morning. Only a dull person would not appreciate such a majestic sight. He is awed by the calm of the city.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE The persona compares the manner in which the beauty of the morning settles over the city, to that of a garment on a body. This emphasizes the perfection of the beauty of the morning, just as a garment flows smoothly over a body.

2. PERSONIFICATION 

Lines 9-10: The sun is referred to as a male who rises sharply and beautifully. This emphasizes the beauty of the city in the morning. The use of this personification also helps the reader to personalize this beauty.

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Line 12: Like the sun, the river is personalized as well. This allows the reader to see the river as real, instead of a thing. It comes alive and we can visualize it's movement, gliding, as beautiful.

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Line 13: When some-one is asleep, they are usually peaceful. Therefore, when the persona describes the houses as sleeping, he is emphasizing the peace that exists in the city in the morning. The inhabitants of the houses are asleep, therefore the houses are quiet and peaceful. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is pensive, or thoughtful. The persona is expressing his thoughts, and reaction to, the city in the morning. TONE The tone of the poem is one of awe. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Nature, places.

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South - Literature Notes 1.But today I 4.recapture the islands bright beaches: blue mist from the ocean rolling into the fishermen's houses. 1.By these shores I was born: sound of the sea came in at my window,2. life heaved and breathed in me then with the strength of that turbulent soil. 5.Since then I have travelled: moved far from the beaches: 6.sojourned in stoniest cities, walking the lands of the north 1.In sharp, slanting sleet and the hail, crossed countless saltless savannas and come to this house in the forest 2.where the shadows oppress me and the only water is rain and the tepid taste of the river. 7.We who are born of the ocean can never seek solace

in rivers: 3.their flowing runs on like our longing, 8.reproves us our lack of endeavour and purpose, 9.proves that our striving will founder on that. We resent them this wisdom, this freedom: ing us toiling, waiting and watching their cunning declensions down to the sea. Bright waves splash up from the rocks to refresh us, 1.blue sea-shells shift in their wake and 10.there is the thatch of the fishermen's houses, the path made of pebbles, 11.and look! Small urchins combing the beaches look up from their traps to salute us: they us just as we left them. The fisherman, hawking the surf on this side of the reef, stands up in his boat and halloos us: a starfish lies in its pool. 1.And gulls, white sails slanted seaward, fly into limitless morning before us.

Brathwaite, K. 'South' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education 

Stanza 4, line 33: This device gives the reader a visual image of the scene. It is simple image that highlights the persona's excitement at being home and seeing scenes, even seemingly inconsequential ones, that he knows and loves.

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Stanza 5, line 43: This alliteration gives the reader a visual of what the persona sees as pleasant and calming, as opposed to the alliteration in stanza 2. The sound that the alliteration illicits is a calm one, implying that the persona is at peace.

2.PERSONIFICATION 

Stanza 1, lines 6-7: This device gives a beautiful impression of the effect that the island had on the persona. He felt whole when he was there, at peace.

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Stanza 2, lines 16-17: The shadows, in this context, represents his past life and experiences on the island. The memories of his island illicits feelings of sadness, even homesickness. These memories cast an oppressive shadow over his life in the north.

3.SIMILE The persona compares the flowing of the rivers, which represents the north, to his longing for his island home. This comparison indicates that his longing is an intense one, he is homesick. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. The persona is thinking about his island home, as well as places that he has visited in the north. TONE The tone of the poem goes from being reflective, to being elated.

THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Patriotism, places, desires and dreams

Test Match Sabina Park - Literature Notes Proudly wearing the 4.rosette of my skin I 5.strut into Sabina 3.England boycotting excitement bravely, 6.something badly amiss. Cricket. Not the game they play at Lords, the crowd - 1.whoever saw a crowd at a cricket match? - are caged 7.vociferous partisans, quick to take offence. 8.England sixty eight for none at lunch. 1.'What sort o battin dat man? dem kaaan play cricket again, praps dem should-a-borrow 2.Lawrence Rowe!' And on it goes, 9.the wicket slow as the batting and the crowd restless. 1.'Eh white bwoy, how you brudders dem does sen we sleep so? Me a pay monies fe watch dis foolishness? Cho! So I try to explain in my Hampshire drawl about conditions in Kent, about 10.sticky wickets and muggy days and the monsoon season in Manchester but fail to convince even myself. The crowd's 11.loud 'busin drives me out

12.skulking behind a tarnished rosette somewhat frayed now but unable, quite, to conceal a 13.blushing nationality.

Brown, S. 'Test Match Sabina Park' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pear 

Stanza 3, line 10: This question represents the general frustration of the West Indians in the crowd. They are annoyed that the cricket match is progressing so slowly.

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Stanza 4, lines 16-18: These questions imply that the West Indian crowd's level of frustration has escalated.

2. ALLUSION The allusion to Lawrence Rowe, a very colourful and successful West Indian cricketer, emphasizes the fact that the match is slow and boring. 3. SARCASM To 'boycott' is to abstain from, or to stop, doing something. Therefore, the persona is being sarcastic because excitement is a good thing. People usually boycott for something negative, therefore the persona is, again, highlighting the slow and boring pace of the cricket match. *There is a distinct CONTRAST between the beginning of the poem when the persona is proud, and 'struts'. However, by the end of the poem, he is embarrassed and 'skulking' VOICES There are two distinct voices in this poem. The English man's and the West Indian's. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is tense. TONE The tone of the poem is one of frustration (West Indian) and embarrassment (English man). THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Discrimination, places, culture and sports

The Woman Speaks to the Man Who Has Employed Her Son Her son was first known to her as a sense of unease, 5.a need to cry for little reasons and a metallic tide rising in her mouth each morning. Such signs made her know that she was not alone in her body. She carried him 6.full term 7.tight up under her heart. 1.She carried him like the poor carry hope, hope you get a break or a visa, hope one child go through and you. He had no father. The man she made him with had more like him, 2.he was fair-minded he treated all his children with equal and unbiased indifference. She raised him twice, once as mother then as father, 8.set no ceiling on what he could be doctor earth healer, pilot take wings. But now he tells her is working for you, 3.that you value him so much you give him one whole submachine gun for him alone. He says 1.you are like a father to him she is wondering what kind of father would 4.give a son hot and exploding

LITERAL MEANING The persona in this poem is telling the story of a mother who loved her son. The mother became aware of the child's presence when she experienced morning sickness. She placed all her hopes in the child and raised him as a single parent because his father was indifferent to the child's existence. The mother had set no barriers on what the child could become, but is told that he has an employer who values him so much that he is given his own submarine gun. The son tells his mother that his employer is like a father to him, but the mother wonders at the father figure who purposefully endangers his child. She prepares for her son's death by going downtown to buy funeral apparel. The mother feels powerless, so she prays for her child and says protective psalms for him. On the other hand, she reads psalms of retribution for the employer and weeps for her son. Her situation does not look good and is likened to a partner system in which she draws both the first and the last hand.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE

death, when he asks him for bread. She went downtown and bought three and one-third yard of black cloth and a deep crowned and veiled hat for the day he draw 9.his bloody salary. She has no power over you and this at 10.the level of earth, what she has are prayers and a mother's tears and at 11.knee city she uses them. 4.She says psalms for him she reads psalms for you she weeps for his soul her 12.eyewater covers you. She is throwing a 13.partner with 4.Judas Iscariot's mother the thief on the left hand side of the cross, his mother is the 14.banker, 15.her draw though is first and last for she still throwing two hands as mother and father. She is prepared, she is done.4.Absalom.

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Lines 1-2: The persona emphasizes that the mother placed all her hopes in her son. When you are poor, generally, you have no prospects, you only dream and hope. Therefore, the persona uses this metaphor to emphasize the mother's dependence on her son's success.

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Line 17: The employer is being compared to a father figure. This implies that this person fills a gap in the son's life.

2. SARCASM The persona appears to praise the child's father by referring to him as 'fair-minded'. She is, however, chastising him for not only ignoring his son, but all of his other children. 3. IRONY (situational) The son innocently tells his mother that his employer values him so much that he gave him a whole submachine gun for himself. The irony in this situation is that if you really care about someone, you do NOT give them a gun due to the negative results that are bound to occur. 4. ALLUSION (biblical) 

Lines 28-29: This line alludes to a particular verse in the Christian Bible, Luke 11 vs 11. The verse questions what the actions of a good father should be.

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Lines 38-39: Psalms is a particular chapter in the Christian Bible. In this chapter there are verses for protection, the mother uses those for her son, as well as verses for retribution and rebuking. It is implied that the mother chooses those for the employer.

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Lines 43-45: In the Christian Bible, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. Therefore, it does not bode well for the mother if she is in a 'partnership' with this person's mother because she might also be betrayed. The banker in the 'partnership' also happens to be the thief on the left hand side of the cross' mother. This also does not bode well for the mother if the apple does not fall far from the tree.

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Line 49: Absalom is the son of David, in the Christian Bible. Absalom betrayed his father, which implies that the mother feels betrayed by her son because she has placed all her hopes in him.

MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. The persona is thinking about a mother's response to her son's life choices. TONE The tone of the poem is pragmatic and pessimistic. The persona is telling the tale as it is, with no positive energy. THEMATIC CATEGORY Death, love, survival, desires/ dreams, childhood experiences.

Theme For English B - Literature Notes The instructor said, Go home and write a page tonight. And let that page come out of you Then it will be true. 1.I wonder if it's that simple? I am twenty-two, colored, born in WinstonSalem. 3.I went to school there, then Durham, then here to this college on the hill above Harlem. I am the only colored student in the class. The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem, through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas, Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y, the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator up to my room, sit down, and write this page: It's not easy to know what is true for you or me at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I'm what I feel and see and hear, Harlem, 2.I hear you: hear you, hear me - we too - you, me, talk on this page. (I hear New York, too.) 1.Me - who? Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love. I like to work, read, learn, and understand life. I like a pipe for a Christmas present,

LITERAL MEANING The persona's lecturer gave him an assignment to write a page that reflects 'him', or his character. The persona wonders if this is a simple task, and begins to think about his life. Things like his age, place of birth, race and place of residence. Based on these musings, he surmises that he is confused due to his youth. He guesses that he is what he feels, sees and hears, which is Harlem, New York. He continues his musing about what he likes, and concludes that he likes the same things that people of other races like. On this basis, he questions whether or not his page will be influenced by race. He concludes that it will not be white. He its that his instructor, as well as the fact that this instructor is white, will have some influence on his page. He states that they both influence each other, that is what being American is about. He believes that both of them might not want to influence each other, but it cannot be helped. He concludes that both of them will learn from each other, despite the fact that the instructor has the advantage of being older, white and 'more free'. All of these musings and conclusions become his page for

English B. or records - Bessie, bop, or Bach. I guess being colored doesn't make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races. 1.So will my page be colored that I write? Being me, it will not be white. 4.But it will be a part of you, instructor. You are white yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. That's American. Sometimes perhaps you don't want to be a part of me. Nor do I often want to be a part of you. But we are, that's true! 5.As I learn from you, I guess you learn from me although you're older - and white and somewhat more free.

LITERARY DEVICES 1.RHETORICAL QUESTION 

Stanza 2, line 6: The persona ponders the ease of what he is asked to do. This question, in turn, actually highlights the difficult nature of the task.

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Stanza 3, line24: This question highlights the persona's confusion as to who he is, or his character. He is unsure.

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Stanza 4, line 32: The persona is wondering whether his race will affect what he writes on the page. This is despite the fact that he concludes that race does not hinder people, in general, liking the same things.

This is my page for English B.

2. REPETITION This repetition emphasizes the profound impact that Harlem, New York, has had on the personality of the persona. * It is interesting to note that the persona's 'page for English B' becomes a journey of self discovery that actually does not end. He forms no conclusion as to who he is because his personality is still 'in process' MOOD/ ATMOSPHEREThe mood of the poem is reflective. TONE The tone of the poem is also reflective. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Racism, places

West Indies, U.S.A - Literature Notes Cruising at thirty thousand feet above the endless green 1.the island seems like dice tossed on a casino's baize, some come up lucky, others not. Puerto Rico takes the pot, 2.the Dallas of the West Indies, 2.silver linings on the clouds as we descend are hall-marked, 1.San Juan glitters like a maverick's gold ring. All across the Caribbean we'd collected terminals - 1.airports are like calling cards, cultural fingerprints; the hand written signs at Port-au-Prince, Piarco's sleazy tourist art, the lethargic contempt of the baggage boys at 'Vere Bird' in St. Johns .... And now for 4.plush San Juan. But the pilot's bland you're safe in my hands drawl crackles as we land, 'US regulations demand all engers not disembarking at San Juan stay on the plane, I repeat, stay on the plane.' 3.Subtle Uncle Sam, afraid too many 5.desperate blacks might reenslave this Island of the free, might jump the barbed electric fence around 6.'America's back yard' and claim that vaunted sanctuary ..... 3. 'give me your poor .....' Through

LITERAL MEANING The persona is travelling in a plane, looking down at San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the plane descends. He is saying that this island is the wealthiest in the Caribbean because it has won the jackpot, it has come up lucky. He then points out that he, and others, had travelled to many Caribbean islands and received a hint of the flavour of each island through it's calling card, - its airport - all of which fail when compared to plush San Juan. As they land, they are instructed to stay on the plane if their destination is not San Juan. The persona takes offence and states that America does not want blacks in San Juan, implying that they might be a disruptive force. He notes the efficiency with which things flow, enabling them to take to the skies once more. During the ascent, the persona notes the contrast between the influences of the Caribbean and America. He likens San-Juan to a broken TV, it Iooks good on the outside, but broken on the inside.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE

toughened, tinted glass 7.the contrasts tantalise; US patrol cars glide across the shimmering tarmac, containered baggage trucks unload with 8.fierce efficiency. So soon we're climbing, low above the pulsing city streets; galvanized shanties overseen by condominiums polished Cadillacs shimmying with pushcarts and as we climb, San-Juan's 9.foolsglitter calls to mind the shattered innards of a TV set that's fallen off the back of a lorry, all painted valves and circuits 1.the road like twisted wires, the bright cars, micro-chips. 10.It's sharp and jagged and dangerous, and belonged to some-one else.

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Line 2: Puerto Rico is compared to dice that is tossed on a casino's baize, it can either come up with winning numbers, or losing numbers. Puerto Rico comes up with winning numbers in the game of chance, as reflected in its wealthy exterior, which is ed by America.

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Lines 7-8: San Juan's glitter is compared to a maverick's gold ring. The word maverick implies non-conformist, an individualist. This implies that San Juan, Puerto Rico is in the Caribbean, but not a part of the Caribbean. It belongs to America.

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Lines 10-11: Airports are compared to calling cards. This means that, like a calling card, the quality of the airport gives you an idea of the island's economic status. The airport is also compared to a cultural fingerprint. A fingerprint is an individual thing, therefore the airport gives the traveler an idea of the island's cultural landscape.

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Line 39: The road is compared to twisted wires. This means that the roads, from above, look both plentiful and curvy. This does not carry a positive connotation, but implies confusion.

2. ALLUSION Line 5: Dallas is an oil rich state in America. Therefore, many of its inhabitants are wealthy, and the state itself, is wealthy. By stating that San Juan is the Dallas of the West Indies, it implies that it is a wealthy island in the West Indies. 

Lines 5-7: An allusion is being made to the well known cliche; 'every cloud has a silver lining'. It means that behind everything that is seemingly bad, there is good. In the context of this poem, it means that the good, the silver lining, has a mark, or stamp, that authenticates its good quality; it is hallmarked. This implies that it will always have its silver lining showing.

3. SARCASM Line 20: This statement means the exact opposite of what is stated. The persona is disgusted that Uncle Sam (America) would have such a regulation. This regulation bars anyone from stepping a toe on Puerto Rican soil, if it is not your intended destination. You just have to remain in the air craft, no matter the waiting period, until it is time for takeoff. The persona believes that the Americans are being blatantly discriminatory, and are attempting to camouflage it through the use of regulations. He does not believe that they have achieved their goal of subtlety. 

Line 26: The persona implies that America is all talk and no action. They really do not want the poor because they bar them from entering and expediently sends them on their way when they enter their airport. The statement is sarcastic because it is loaded with an alternate meaning, due to the contrast in statement and action.

CONTRAST The contrast in this poem is found in stanza 5. The American cars etc, against the pushcarts. The American culture versus the Puerto Rican culture. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is sarcastic. TONE The tone of the poem is slightly bitter, which is fueled by the sarcastic atmosphere. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Discrimination, oppression, places, culture.

Ballad of Birmingham - Literature Notes 'Mother dear, may I go downtown instead of out to play, 1.and march the streets of Birmingham in a freedom march today? 1.'No, baby, no, you may not go, for the dogs are fierce and wild, and clubs and hoses, guns and jails ain't good for a little child.' 'But mother, I won't be alone. Other children will go with me, 1.and march the streets of Birmingham to make our country free.' 1.'No baby, no, you may not go, for I fear those guns will fire. But you may go to church instead, and sing in the children's choir.' She has combed and brushed 2. her night dark hair, and 2. bathed rose petal sweet, and drawn white gloves on her small brown hands, and white shoes on her feet. The mother smiled to know her child was in the sacred place,

but that smile was the last smile to come upon her face. For when she heard the explosion, her eyes grew 4.wet and wild. She 5.raced through the streets of Birmingham calling for her child. She 6. clawed through bits of glass and brick, then lifted out a shoe. 'O, here's the shoe my baby wore, but, baby, where are you?

3. IRONY (situational) The overwhelming irony that exists in this poem is the fact that the mother was so adamant about NOT sending her child to the freedom march, because she considered it to be so dangerous. Yet it is while in church, the place that she thought was sacred and safe, that the child got killed. THEME Death is the overwhelming theme in this poem. A mother's over protectiveness does not, and seemingly cannot, prevent this tragic event from occurring.

The Lynching - Literature Notes His spirit in smoke ascended to high heaven. 1.His father, by the cruellest way of pain, Had bidden him to his bosom once again; The 3.awful sin remained still unforgiven. 1.All night a bright and solitary star (Perchance the one that ever guided him, Yet gave him up at last to Fate's wild whim) Hung pitifully o'er the swinging 4.char. Day dawned, and soon the 5.mixed crowds came to view The 6.ghastly body swaying in the sun: The women thronged to look, but never a one 2.Showed sorrow in her eyes of 7.steely blue; And little lads, lynchers that were to be, Danced round the dreadful thing in 8.fiendish glee. Claude McKay, A World of Poetry (2005) 2. ALLITERATION / METAPHOR 

The alliteration serves the purpose of drawing the readers' eye to this particular age in the poem. This line also doubles as a metaphor. In this case, the metaphor tells the reader that the woman is white, because blue eyes are a feature of the Caucasian race. It also highlights the level of racism in the society. This is the case because if women, who are suppose to be nurturing and caring, show steel (unfeeling, clinical) in their eyes, then it is an echo of the views of the society.

THEME Racism The poem confronts a time in history when Black people were not viewed as human. On this premise, they could be lynched without it causing a ripple in the moral fiber of their society. The fact that women and children could view the charred remains with little or no feeling speaks volumes about the extent to which racist values were entrenched in the society.