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“Between my finger and my thumbThe squat pen rests; snug as a gun.”
FOA / IOP
Presentation: Heaney's relationship with members of his family as portrayed in "Digging", "Follower" and "Mid-Term Break" from the collection (Death of a Naturalist).Presentation: Choose any three poems and discuss the contradictions that are an essential part of Heaney's poetry.
Presentation: Comment on Heaney's treatment of viking corpses and the bodies found in the bogs of Ireland and how he relates their history to his own time. "Bog Queen", "Punishment", "Viking Dublin: Trial Pieces".
WT1
Rework some of the poems into a passage from a memoir. This is a particularly suitable form, as it allows you to identify and focus on what is are key or memorable aspects of Heaney's early life in Ireland.
Using the form diary, you can not only demonstrate your understanding of this text-type, but also reproduce the tone, perspective, and reflection in some of Heaney's poems.
Using the form diary, you can not only demonstrate your understanding of this text-type, but also reproduce the tone, perspective, and reflection in some of Heaney's poems.
WT2
Many of Heaney's poems lend themselves very well to a Marxist critical interpretation which could be contrasted with a psycho-analytical reading of the same poems.
Q. 3 How and why is a social group represented in a particular way?
You could explore the representation of childhood in this collection of poems, looking in particular at narration, point of view and imagery.
Heaney makes frequent reference to labourers and those working the land. How are these figures treated in his poetry? Do they have any special significance?
Q.5 How does the text conform to, or deviate from, the conventions of a particular genre, and for what purpose?
Investigate Heaney's use of elegy and the pastoral in his poems.
In The Redress of Poetry (1995), Heaney wrote: "[The] redressing effect of poetry comes from its being a glimpsed alternative, a revelation of potential that is denied or constantly threatened by circumstances." Investigate how his own writings conform to this idea.
Q.5 How does the text conform to, or deviate from, the conventions of a particular genre, and for what purpose?
EE
In The Redress of Poetry (1995), Heaney wrote: "[The] redressing effect of poetry comes from its being a glimpsed alternative, a revelation of potential that is denied or constantly threatened by circumstances." Investigate how his own writings conform to this idea.
Though never assuming an overtly political voice, Heaney’s work was never apolitical, and as an artist he kept an unbreakable faith in the ability of poetry to speak truth to power. To what extent can Heaney be called a voice of conscience (Irish, environmental, social)?
To what purpose(s) does Heaney draw on the pastoral in his poetry?
Compare and contrast Seamus Heaney and Robert Frost's use of nature in their poetry. You may decide to offer an evaluation of which poet is the more effective in this respect. *Note, this topic will conform to a cat. 1 (not cat.2) Language A essay. Category 2 is a comparison made between two works, one of which is translated.
Compare and contrast Seamus Heaney and Robert Frost's use of nature in their poetry. You may decide to offer an evaluation of which poet is the more effective in this respect. *Note, this topic will conform to a cat. 1 (not cat.2) Language A essay. Category 2 is a comparison made between two works, one of which is translated.
IOC (exemplars)
Digging (Critical analysis)
Death of a Naturalist (analysis)
Death of a Naturalist (critical discussion)
Blackberry Picking (annotation)
Death of a Naturalist (analysis)
Death of a Naturalist (critical discussion)
Blackberry Picking (annotation)
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