Comparing poems for English
Poem Subject what each poem is about.
Limbo Describes the story of African people being
transported as human cargo to the
Caribbean colonies to work as slaves
Nothing’s changed Poet goes back to District Six where he
lived there it was mixed race area, but when
apartheid was introduce in south Africa it
become whites only. Now its supposedly
mixed again but he sees little difference
Island Man Man from Caribbean island living in
London. Wakes with dreams and thoughts
of homeland slowly force to return to reality
Blessing Set in massive slum called Dharavi outskirts
of Bombay. Describes reactions of people
who live there to burst water pipe how
precious water is
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Structure and form rhyme,
metre/rhythm, stanza form,
punctuation, layout,
repetition, line length
Irregular structure line lengths number of
lines each verse vary, creating a muddled,
sleepy feel. Some lines separated from rest
virtually no punctuation.
Language who is speaking, tone or Fe
atmosphere, images, similes,
metaphors, powerful words,
alliteration, non-standard
English, questions or
commands
References to slavery first African slaves Angry at condi
linked to poets individual life cruelty slaves s
Repetition limbo/limbo like me Admires streng
Metaphorical language darkness and slave Celebrates slav
ship used to stress living hell of slavery
Rhythm beat of drum emphasises monotony
and relentlessness of slave labour. Tribal
beat of limbo dance recalls the slaves
African roots
Harshness and bitterness angry at inequality Physical recogn
uses harsh sounding words. Often one- Tinged with an
syllable with alliteration and onomatopoeia racial inequality
adding to harsh feel Bitterness and r
Metaphorical language glass of inn description of w
metaphor for apartheid. Inn represents people’s café
dominance and arrogance of white people Violent feeling
Comparisons differences between lives of the glass of wh
black and white split comparison between
different verses eg inn and cafe
Contrasting descriptions hints rather be in Poet seems to h
natural paradise of Caribbean than dull description of g
artificial greyness of London Fond memories
Dreamy language some strongly linked to Subtle resentme
ideas of sleeping or waking intrudes dreams
Concludes feeli
Metaphorical language words used to Real desperatio
describe water make it seem valuable. appeals to read
People of slum follow like a religion feel
Changing tone each verse feel of own Desperation lea
dreamy fantasy of water gives way to collecting wate
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 frenzied pace of rush when appears for real Sheer delight a
final verse has strange religious feel water to drink.
Life related language reliance on water for water to give im
survival constant theme excitement.

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