TLDR;
This video provides a last-minute revision guide for the English Literature Paper 2, focusing on seven key poems from the Power and Conflict anthology. It highlights the main themes, contexts, and structural elements of each poem, alongside key quotations and potential links between them. The poems discussed are "Exposure", "Charge of the Light Brigade", "The Prelude", "London", "The Emigree", "Checking Out Me History", and "War Photographer".
- Key themes include the power of nature, the impact of war, identity, and the contrast between idealised and realistic perspectives.
- Contextual understanding is emphasised, particularly regarding the poets' backgrounds and intentions.
- Structural elements such as rhyme schemes, meter, and language choices are analysed to reveal deeper meanings.
Exposure [0:23]
"Exposure" explores themes of nature's power and the futility of war. Owen, a soldier who experienced the horrors of war first-hand, conveys that the anticipation and cyclical fear are as damaging as the conflict itself. The poem contrasts with "The Prelude" in its depiction of nature and with "Charge of the Light Brigade" in its view of conflict. Key features include the merciless description of wind, the refrain "but nothing happens," and the poignant line "For love of God seems dying," illustrating nature's devastating impact on faith. The lack of rhyme mirrors the unending journey of fear.
Charge of the Light Brigade [2:22]
"Charge of the Light Brigade," written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, portrays a real battle from the Crimean War. As Poet Laureate, Tennyson aimed to depict Britain heroically, even when describing a military blunder. The poem employs a dactylic meter, creating a rhythm reminiscent of heartbeats or horses' hooves, and repeats words like "honour," "forward," and "charge" to evoke a sense of glory. Unlike Owen's "Exposure," this poem presents war as a maker of heroes. It functions as a piece of propaganda, exaggerating the greatness of war. The poem concludes with an imperative, "Honour the Light Brigade," compelling readers to respect these soldiers.
The Prelude [4:21]
"The Prelude" is an autobiographical poem by Wordsworth, recalling a childhood experience of boating on a lake. Initially feeling in control, the speaker realises nature's immense power. This memory later troubles his dreams, highlighting nature's lasting impact. As a Romantic poet, Wordsworth believed in nature's awe-inspiring beauty, known as the sublime. The poem can be linked with "Exposure" through the theme of nature's power and with "London" when discussing places. The poem is structured in three parts: the initial Eden-like setting, the shift in tone with the line 21, and the lasting impact on his dreams.
London [6:16]
Blake's "London" presents a walk through an industrialised city in the late 18th century. As a Romantic poet, Blake valued nature, dreams, and imagination, while opposing industrialisation. The poem features a motif of crying and suggests that nature and imagination cause pain in this setting. The controlled stanza length and alternate rhyme scheme reflect a lack of freedom. The setting is portrayed as a dystopian version of London. Key images include the "chartered" Thames, the cries of infants, and the "mind-forged manacles," symbolising the mind's control by industry. The poem concludes with the "marriage hearse," indicating the corruption of good things.
The Emigree [7:51]
"The Emigree" offers a female, modern perspective on a remembered homeland that the speaker can no longer return to. The place is personified as a child, requiring protection and nurturing. The motif of sunlight at the end of each stanza contrasts with the darkness of "London". The poem reflects the 21st-century refugee crisis. The speaker and place remain unnamed, mirroring the universality of the refugee experience. The speaker describes the place as heavenly, yet "sick with tyrants," creating a tragic contrast. A maternal tone is evident, with phrases like "shining eyes, my city takes me dancing," conveying hope and the indestructibility of memories.
Checking Out Me History [9:26]
"Checking Out Me History" explores identity, with the speaker criticising British colonial rule's attempts to control and blind him. Ultimately, he carves out his own identity. Stanzas about disliked figures use a nursery rhyme structure as mockery, while those about cultural icons like Toussaint L'Ouverture and Shaka are in italics and free verse. The motif of sight contrasts with blindness. The use of dialectical and accented English signifies defiance. The poem's message is that identity cannot be taken away.
War Photographer [11:06]
"War Photographer" portrays a character documenting conflict who cannot forget what he witnesses. The poem begins in a dark room, a metaphor for his mind filled with the darkness of conflict. He tries to make sense of suffering. The readers of the photographs experience a brief moment of pain, but quickly move on, unlike the photographer. The poem links with other war poems, particularly "Remains". The poem uses sibilance and presents places of war like "Non pen, Beirut, Belfast" as short, sharp sentences, resembling gunshots. A biblical allusion, "all flesh is grass," suggests that killing in war is seen as unimportant, which Duffy challenges.
