Wednesday 27 April 2011

Homework

I know some of you have got frees this afternoon so thought I'd post this early. Much more detail to follow. I'd like youo to make a revision sheet for a poem of your choice. This should be broken  down  to :

  • Narrative voice and ‘voices’ more generally
  • Point of view
  • Key structural points: beginnings, climaxes, endings
  • Structural patterning, echoing, foreshadowing, repetition etc
  • Key significances, such as places
  • Characterisation (not character)
  • Aspects of time and chronology
Ms :)

5 comments:

  1. Hi Ms Caldwell,
    By characterisation do you mean how the author develops the characters, e.g the language used to describe them, the way they speak etc?
    Also, please could you put up the list of words and definitions as I couldn't copy them all down last time?
    Thank you!
    Eleanor :)

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  2. Hi Ms Caldwell,
    I have more questions! (sorry)
    In the Eve of St Agnes, what point of view would you say the poem is being told from? We don't really feel attached to any particular character, and we don't know the thoughts of any one person in particular. The narrator isn't in the story, but can it still be from his point of view?
    Thank you!
    Eleanor :)

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  3. Hi Eleanor
    Yes, characterisation is how the author develops the character rather. People can often fall into the trap of describing the character as if they are a real person rather than a purposely created character. Does that make sense?
    The POV is from an omniscient narrator. Have a read of this essay. It's not a perfect essay, but it has some solid points. http://everything2.com/user/Blackmirth/writeups/The+Eve+of+St.+Agnes
    It says that the archaic language makes the narrator sound old. I would argue that this is a Spenserian trait and the language is Spenserian (as are the stanzas of course). Other than that it is worth a scan at the very least.
    I would also state that the characterisation of Madeline encourages sympathy towards her don't you think? Look at the classical allusion of 'tongueless nightingale' - surely that creates some sympathy/attachment for/to her? In contrast, the characterisation of other characters doesn't lead us to feel sympathy towards them; in fact, it seems to be deliberately ambiguous.
    Sorry about not adding the list as said. I've left it at school so will attach it tomorrow.
    Hope that's all ok - it is a bit rushed. Let me know if you need anything else.
    Ms :)

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  4. Yes, but very worthwhile. Exam in just a couple of weeks...
    Look at the Powerpoint from the Easter revision session for guidance.
    Ms :) :) :)

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