'Song' - blog entry by Shannon

George Szirtes, ‘Song’

Initially, this poem gives recognition to the smallest of actions that have led to an accumulation of success. After following out these actions, it can make a difference whether it have an impact on society or on a global scale. This links to the dedication to Helen Suzman at the beginning of the poem, she was a South African White Liberal Activist who campaigned against the apartheid system. Suzman wanted to change the apartheid system, because the system in South Africa stood for race segregation in terms of the reduction of rights for the black inhabitants. It is clear that, she was an extremely influential person who didn’t give up even when it was difficult in order to make a change (Political). As well as revealing that the admiration for the collective power of protest is hugely highlighted within the poem.

 As the title strongly suggests, the poem uses patterns of sounds which can be indicated through the use of rhyme and repetition. Repetition is evident as the first and last stanzas are similar until the last line, which is perhaps being used to mirror the meaning of the build up to change. In the last stanza the turning point is discovered as there is an adjustment in the last line in the first stanza, “Of nothing happening, till something does” then to “Of nothing happening. Then something does”.  This change from ‘till’ to ‘then’ emphasises a crucial change and this single line changes the chorus dramatically. As the line has now been spilt up into two sentences this could show how one person has brought together many others, in a way just like a chain reaction where a little action has influenced others in a gradual way. The alteration of the sentence changes the meaning of it completely, which shows that now the change is indivisible.

 Moreover, the poem is mirroring the basic structure of a song (Chorus/Verse/Chorus) which is spilt up into three sections. The italic font identifies the distinction between the chorus and the verse, the central two stanzas (Verse) comment on the progression of change that is presented in the first and the last stanzas. In the second stanza which is an example, shows how a single hand or voice when joined with others can start the effect of change. This idea is explored through the use of opposing images (heaviness and lightness), ‘One pale feather tip the balance of a sinking ship’. The use of sibilance of ‘sinking ship’ puts emphasis on the contrast between the weight of a ship and the lightness of the feather, these two objects would not normally go together which could indicate a conflict of interest.  In the third stanza alliteration is used ‘Heavy fate has hung’ the H sound is repeated which suggests another significance to the emphasis of weight, but in a way to illustrate that this change is trying to make an impact and have a solid place and purpose.

 Additionally, ‘Song’ has a regular rhyme pattern it is apparent the last two lines in each stanza rhyme, for instance ‘tip’ and ‘ship’. As well as, the first and third lines rhyme at the end, ‘sung’ and ‘hung’ are some more examples. The use of rhyme supports the meaning of the poem because the fact that the rhyme is regular expresses the stability and unity of people coming together as one. As the rhyme becomes more evident, which is when the end of the two lines of each stanza rhyme this links to a change becoming more effective as people are tied to a collectively strong bond. This tends to happen when people protest together which links to Helen Suzman in a way.

Song can be linked to other poems, ‘The Furthest distances I’ve Travelled’ can be contrasted in terms of how differently rhyme is used and the effects it has in this poem compared to in ‘Song’ (Controlled, edgy humour). Also perhaps it could be linked to ‘Effects’ because the themes are completely different to one another ‘Song’ displays the changes people can make to the present which benefits the future. Whereas in ‘Effects’ it is filled with regret because the son is looking back at the past not being able to change it and shows a lot of grief towards the mother. 

'Material' - blog entry by Ikram & Oye

Material – Ros Barber

This poem talks about the importance of material and how material was valued more in the past than nowadays. It talks about handkerchiefs and how they were there for people in the past when people needed them. The shift in generations is spoken about and how society nowadays do not carry the same traditions as people in the past.

One interpretation we made was that the hanky was a metaphor for the mother always being there. It is given the characteristics of being soft and comforting just like a mother. The mother eventually ends up dying and gives her permission to her children to live life how they please. The mother shows love through handkerchiefs. Another interpretation we made was that it was tradition in the personas family to pass down handkerchiefs but nowadays people do not do this anymore. It says ''presents from distant aunts''. We concluded from this that handkerchiefs were meant to be family related and bring the family close in other words the hanky is family oriented. We also have this idea because it says ''neglected looking kids'' meaning that handkerchiefs were a way of bringing people together even strangers.There is a contrast in hankies and tissues. Hankies are strong and always there, however tissues are disposable and only used once. The hanky brings consistency and security and this can be concluded from the way the poem is set out in a chronological order of how time passes. The repitions of ''hanky'' shows how significant it is to the persona.

The poem is structured in 10 stanzas there is no regular structure. There is rhyme in the poem on lines 2 and 4 as well as lines 6 and 8. The words '' cloth'', ''shop'' and ''lace'', ''faith''. The persona believes community ties were stronger as well as people's relationships with mothers. The poem tells a story within itself which means there is use of an anecdote. The poem is based on experience. We can conclude this as it takes us back to the poets childhood and their relationship with their mother. ''I never did.'' The use of this minor sentence suggests the persona is reliant on their mother as she was the one always handing  her handkerchiefs. The use of the drop in clause ''she'd have one, always, up her sleeve'' also supports this point. This is because the adverb of frequency ''always'' elicits the hanky is always there just as a mother is always there for her children and there for causing her children to be reliant on her.

In the last stanza the persona becomes personal when mentioning their own mother. The use of the first person creates an impact on the reader as the reader will feel sympathy and may be able to relate.

'On Her Blindness' - blog entry by Ava

On Her Blindness

On Her Blindness (2007) by Adam Thorpe is a poem exploring the roles between parent and child and how we deal with shifts in that relationship.

The poem has 23 stanzas all with 2 lines apart from the last which has one.

The title is a take on Milton’s sonnet On His Blindness written in the 12^th Century about how though a carpenter becomes handicapped and can’t work any longer he is still equal in the eyes of God to an able bodied worker as “they also serve who only stand and wait." This sonnet contradicts Thorpe’s poem as the voice of the sonnet is the sufferer and Thorpe is the observer in On Her Blindness. 

Thorpe’s use of colour is interesting, it is mentioned twice in the poem: the beginning and end. The first mention of colour is a “pitch black room”, the world through his mother’s eyes. The second mention is of “autumn trees”: “golden”, “ablaze with colour” the world his mother would never see again, living or dead.

The use of Thorpe’s name in the poem makes it extremely personal. Although it is a poem and intended to create emotional stirrings within its readers the strong connection the poet clearly has to this subject allows the reader to almost live in Thorpe’s memories. Most poets write from experience but what Thorpe has written, during the poem becomes more than that, it becomes more of a free association writing piece on his feelings about his mother’s handicap. He expresses freely shame in his actions and responses through his description of himself: sop, inadequate and locked in son. Ironic as blindness literally locks up his mother in ways instead of his metaphorical emotional lock in. The poet makes clear his regrets of not being there for her at her most vulnerable.

Thorpe, seemingly at the time could not handle the shift in his and his mother’s relationship that made him the carer.  He shows this through inappropriate jarring attempts at humour throughout the sad poem such as: “bumping into walls like a dodgem”, providing the poem with an extra layer of emotion. The juxtaposition of the “locked in son” and the blind women that “kept her dignity” whilst in a “living hell” showing the strange antiheroic complex Thorpe has. In her time of need the mother is still portrayed as a column of strength in Thorpe’s life when it should be the other way round. Even when she is “too weak to move”  on her deathbed she cannot rely on her son for strength as he talks to her of the beauty of “the autumn trees” “forgetting” that she is unable to appreciate it. Thorpe’s denial of his mother’s worsening condition comes off as careless at times such as when she tells him at dinner that she’d “bump herself off” if not for “hope” and he couldn’t “recall what [he] replied”. A parent talking of suicide would be a memorable moment for most people. 

One of the main themes of On Her Blindness is deterioration. Setting is used to convey this well. The readers are first introduced to Thorpe’s mother in a restaurant in Paris, we are parted from her when she is in a coffin. This is a literal way of seeing how his mother’s life changed towards the end: her relationship with her son declined, her health her living standard. One of the only things that stayed constant was her determination to “ignore the void”.  Thorpe refuses to romanticize the idea of blindness due to his raw and realistic representation of his mother’s dilemma, he reinforces the idea of “living hell” throughout. The use of “Adam[‘s]” own name is a concrete refusal of any romanticizing of the situation, he has lived it, it is real life, it is a “living hell”.

AS Literature - The Lammas Hireling

The poet, Ian Duhig, explains and reads his poem here: click me.

AS Comms - getting started with MovieMaker

Watch this screencast on how to get going with Movie Maker: click here

AS Literature - Poems we have studied (updated)

AS Literature - Look We Have Coming to Dover!