WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT�

Last Push Revision Session�ENGLISH EHL

Paper 2�By William Haggard

UNSEEN POETRY�LIFE OF PI ESSAY�HAMLET ESSAY�

ENGLISH HL PAPER 2

WORKING WITH POETRY

CONTENT / CENTRAL ARGUMENT? What is the poem about?

STRUCTURE? Stanzas, rhyme scheme, line length, repetition.

DICTION? The speaker’s choice of words.

IMAGERY? Figures of speech - similes, metaphors, sound devices. When referring to “image”, we refer to ‘figurative significance’.

SHIFT? The poem’s “shift” / turning point / movement / volta

TONE? What is the speaker’s attitude towards the subject matter? Does it change in any way?

Let us look at the unseen poem from the NSC 2018 P2

Q5: UNSEEN POETRY – CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS

• How does the description of the landscape in the first stanza support the title of the poem? (2)
• Refer to lines 3-4: ‘The khaki veld hums, a long singing/Late-noon dream.’ Explain how these lines convey the mood of the first stanza. (2)
• Refer to line 13: ‘And feel the fine air stabbing out at me.’ Comment on the effectiveness of the image in this line. (3)
• By referring to the poem as a whole, discuss the change in the speaker’s attitude toward his father. (3)

IDENTIFYING KEY WORDS

• How does the description of the landscape in the first stanza support the title of the poem? (2)
• Refer to lines 3-4: ‘The khaki veld hums, a long singing/Late-noon dream.’ Explain how these lines convey the mood of the first stanza. (2)
• Refer to line 13: ‘And feel the fine air stabbing out at me.’ Comment on the effectiveness of the image in this line. (3)
• By referring to the poem as a whole, discuss the change in the speaker’s attitude toward his father. (3)

Connotations of autumn?

Plant imagery

Khaki & veld - SA context?

Enjambment (run-on stanza)

‘Characters’ - speaker & father

Past vs present tense - clash of ideas? Young vs old?

Speaker’s tone here?

Significance of word ‘stabbing’?

What are ‘old’ & ‘young’ metaphors for?

5.1 How does the description of the landscape in the first stanza support the title of the poem?

5.1 How does the description of the landscape in the first stanza support the title of the poem?

The leaves of the trees reflect the warm, golden colours of autumn. The 'khaki veld' appears drab, dull and dry. The aloes, which bloom in autumn, stand in bright contrast to the plainness of the landscape.

[Award 2 marks for any two relevant and distinct points. Colour AND texture]

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5.2 Refer to lines 3-4: ‘The khaki veld hums, a long singing/Late-noon dream.’ Explain how these lines convey the mood of the first stanza.

5.2 Refer to lines 3-4: ‘The khaki veld hums, a long singing/Late-noon dream.’ Explain how these lines convey the mood of the first stanza.

'Hums' is a soft-sounding word which suggests the mellow and relaxed mood of the time of day when the busyness has calmed down. There is a feeling of calmness and laziness. The drawn-out sounds of 'long' and 'noon' convey a mood of tranquillity and peacefulness. 'Dream' suggests that it is a time of reflection and nostalgia.

[Award 2 marks for any two relevant and distinct points.]

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5.3 Refer to line 13: ‘And feel the fine air stabbing out at me.’

Comment on the effectiveness of the image in this line.

5.3 Refer to line 13: ‘And feel the fine air stabbing out at me.’ Comment on the effectiveness of the image in this line.

The image of the night air 'stabbing' is effective because it suggests that the speaker is suddenly aware of the coldness of the night which is sharp and acute. The change in temperature is so intense and severe that it is piercing and painful. Candidates might refer to the effectiveness of the cold air as having pricked the speaker’s conscience and having alerted him to his judgemental attitude toward his father.

[Award 3 marks for any two ideas well discussed OR three ideas.]

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5.4 By referring to the poem as a whole, discuss the change in the speaker’s attitude toward his father.

5.4 By referring to the poem as a whole, discuss the change in the speaker’s attitude toward his father.

Initially, the speaker is dismissive of his father's outlook and feels his father is old-fashioned and that his opinions are out-dated and irrelevant. The speaker's attitude is that his father is narrow-minded and not prepared to think about the future or consider his son's views. He believes his father is stubborn and uncompromising; the father's repetition of 'wrong' suggests his stubbornness. However, the speaker is reminded of the changes that nature undergoes and his new-found awareness of the majesty and vigour of nature modifies his attitude toward his father. He is prepared to be more accepting and accommodating of his father's opinions.

[Award 3 marks only if the change in the speaker's attitude is discussed.]

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THE LITERATURE ESSAY

Literary essay – some pointers

• Introduction: 5 lines long; signposting and definition of the topic; provide an overview of main points to be covered
• Each paragraph should show a direct engagement with the topic
• Conclusion must harmonise with introduction
• Use present tense
• Correct language use counts in your favour
• Tone: authoritative
• Register: Formal

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The marking rubric

• The emphasis on “arguments”
• Syllogistic: Premises and a conclusion
• Proving a point
• Use discursive language

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Some things to note regarding Life of Pi

LIFE OF PI

32 main differences between

film version and novel!

Distinguish between the

‘animal’ story and ‘human’

story.

Similarly, the “better story and “other story” is referred to.

1

2

3

4

Pi does not lose his faith in God during his ordeal!

5

6

Understand the role of Richard Parker.

Understand that the “story” is never going to be “complete”

�“Suffering brings out the best and worst in human nature.”

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Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with the above statement in relation to Life of Pi.

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Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words (2–2½ pages).

He is enlightened;

his faith system is

affirmed

and strengthened

Pi’s mother

Does assist with survival

(to an extent)

“Suffering brings out the best

and worst in human nature.”

He kills with

Bloodlust; lacks

Empathy;

“Hunter’s pride”

learns to survive;

analytical skills;

problem solving

The blind

Frenchman

PI

The cook

he kills the cook;

he resorts to cannibalism

commits terrible deeds

in order to survive

Brave;

compromises

vegetarianism

Survivor;

Attempts to

cannabalise

Introduction

• This statement is … [valid/partially/ invalid / …].
• The following main arguments will be considered:

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Introduction (example)

• The statement of suffering bringing out the best and worst in human nature as depicted in Life of Pi is fully justifiable.
• This is seen in the actions of the cook, Pi’s mother, Pi himself, and the blind Frenchman.

Main body

• Each paragraph will connect to one of the topic lines in the introduction
• Each paragraph must develop analysis around that topic with relevant examples
• Ensure that there is a clear link to the topic.
• Discursive tone
• First main paragraph will start with …
• … one of the main topics referred to in the introduction

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Main body: Paragraph 1

• Pi’s suffering results in him showing the “best” and “worst” of human nature. [Topic sentence which relates to introduction]
• His “better” aspects are seen in his resourcefulness and drive to survive. Suffering causes some to implode into hopelessness but, for Pi, it brought him closer to God and closer to wanting to be a better person. His suffering allowed him to realize things and people he took for granted and shaped his morals and values that he lives by after being saved.
• [LINK] It is clear the statement … is valid.

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Main body: Paragraph 2

• Pi’s suffering also brought out the more savage part of him which can be represented by Richard Parker (tiger). [Topic sentence which relates to introduction]
• Pi had been a devout vegetarian his entire life up to the accident. The need to survive meant dong what he had previously seen as wrong (killing) as a necessity. Becoming used to killing was what marked the “bad” side of his nature as killing is bad, but one can get used to doing anything even “bad” things.
• Pi’s need to survive also resulted in him killing the blind Frenchman despite his own disgust at his actions.
• [LINK] It is clear the statement … is valid.

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Main body: Paragraph 3

• The “worst” of human nature due to suffering can be seen in the actions of the cook. [Topic sentence which relates to introduction]
• While the cook shows a good side to him in terms of helping Pi and his mother to survive, his reaction to needing food, resorting to cannibalism and killing Pi’s mother shows how suffering can bring out an ‘evil’ side of human nature.
• [LINK] It is clear the statement … is valid.

Conclusion

• [Wrapping up briefly]
• The “best” of human nature is the resourcefulness, kindness and strengthening of faith one develops as seen in Life of Pi.
• The “worst” of human nature is the savagery, cannibalism and potential for evil as also seen in Life of Pi. Suffering bringing out the best and worst in human nature is true as it is human nature to do anything one needs to survive that suffering whether good or evil.

Some things to note regarding Hamlet essay

HAMLET

Avoid generalisations like

Hamlet goes on a “killing spree!

Shakespeare presents to us complex tragic figures (therefore they cannot be placed into a simple box).

“A thorough response is a mixed response.”

1

2

3

4

Explore human / political topics such as honour, revenge, corruption.

5

Spelling of characters’ names is crucial.

6

Avoid retelling the plot.

“The people of Elsinore are governed by self-interest.”

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Critically assess the validity of this statement in relation to the play.

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Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words

(2–2½ pages).

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acts irrationally

and hostile,

killing Polonius;

Ophelia and Gertrude

Polonius

Does he love

Gertrude?;

Does feel remorse

“The people of Elsinore are

governed by self-interest.”

Finds inner peace

“Divinity shapes

All ends”

strives to avenge

his

father’s murder;

Horatio

Hamlet

Claudius

Regicide;

Usurps throne;

Corrupt;

Spying;

R+G;

Laertes

King’s sycophant;

Controlling

Meddles

Hamlet’s true

friend

Introduction

• This statement is … [valid/partially/ invalid / …].
• The following main arguments will be considered:

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INTRODUCTION

• The statement is partially valid. The people of Elsinore are seemingly sly and governed by self-interest and ulterior motives, but not all is rotten in the state of Denmark.
• The following characters will be explored in relation to the topic: Claudius, Polonius, Hamlet himself, and Horatio.

Main body: Paragraph 1

• Claudius is the epitome of self-interest. This prominent quality of his drives him to commit fratricide and regicide and usurp the throne from his dead brother. He then promptly marries the late king’s wife and celebrates ostentatiously. When Hamlet becomes a threat to him, he sends him away with the interest of protecting himself and the throne he stole. Almost the entirety of his actions are for his own benefit, and this affects the chain of being below him.
• [LINK] Therefore Claudius is a prime example of one who is governed by self-interest.

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Main body: Paragraph 2

• Polonius is also governed by self-interest.
• His need to be involved and possibly benefit from the closeness of his relationship with the king is evident.
• In order to gain the king’s favour he abuses his power over Ophelia and the privilege of his gender to spy on Hamlet, tarnishing Ophelia and Hamlet’s relationship in the process and revealing the extreme lengths he will go to in order to fulfil his own desires.
• [LINK]Polonius serves as another example of a character who is governed by self-interest.

Main body: Paragraph 3

• Hamlet is governed by his nature, procrastination and overthinking. Initially he strives to avenge his father’s murder and fix the state of deception and corruption in Elsinore. His morals and Horatio guide him, but the ghost’s malicious and insistent presence arouse feelings of self-loathing and anger. He begins to act irrational and hostile, killing Polonius, and begins to be slowly governed by his self-hate at not being able to act.
• NOTE the mixed response: It can be argued that Hamlet is governed by self-interest to some extent for wanting revenge on Claudius, but ultimately Hamlet is governed by deep self-hate over his inability to do what he thinks needs to be done.

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Main body: Paragraph 4

• Horatio, like Ophelia, does not display self-interest as his governing factor. He is a foil to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern by being loyal to Hamlet and striving for what is best for the state. He is aware of the corruption around him and tries to help Hamlet by any means possible, however, he does not alter his morals as Hamlet did. He is governed entirely by his morals and his belief of what is right and wrong.
• [LINK] Horatio is not a character who is governed by self-interest.

CONCLUSION

• Many of the characters in Hamlet are governed by self-interest and greed, and will go to any means possible to achieve what they want. However, characters such as Horatio display sides to them that would not be consistent with self-interest.

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Questions and answers

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1) Ms Linda Mallon

2) Mr Tauriq Jenkins

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