How to start analysing a text.

https://padlet.com/bahiyahteacher/ayudfjli4gw6m5zp

Sample analysis: Scattering the Ashes by Andrew Fusek Peters

Below is a sample analysis of Stanza 5:

“We stumbled home to finish the job

of spreading my brother out

in the places we best remembered,

and in the garden

I gathered my handfuls

and sowed at last my tears,

One for the wasp's nest,

One for the pear tree,

One for the feast,

One for the fire,

One for the den, and

One for the cut down willow,

where we played the perfect game of hide and seek.”

Analysis by Bahiyah Borhan

When a loved one has passed away, the only things left to cling to are memories. However, the memories may not bring joy for some. Andrew F. Peters shows us this in Stanza 5 of the poem. Although the imagery of planting in “sowed” suggests growth, there is a negative connotation here because it refers to the speaker’s “tears” for his brother who has died and been cremated. There can be two interpretations of “sowed”, one to mean he has finally buried his pain, and the other to suggest that his pain grows, as sowing would lead to growth thus deepening his grief. Furthermore, the anaphora created through the repetition of “One for the...” from lines 48 to 53 adds a rhythm as the speaker scatters the ashes in various places which hold fond memories of their time together. It is as though he is portioning out the “handfuls” of what remains of his brother for the “wasp’s nest”, “pear tree”, “feast”, “fire” and “den”, sharing the ashes with places that are special. The anaphora makes it seem as if he were the one in control to “finish the job” and ensure equal distribution which suggests an attempt to take charge of things. The scattering of the ashes is symbolic of letting go. On the contrary, he is unable to do so and thus is unable to move on with his life. Line 53 brings the tone down, suggesting the speaker’s grief returning when he portions out “One for the cut down willow”.

The ‘o’ sound in “willow” is like a moan revealing his pain at having to part with the ashes. This is also seen when he describes his action as having “sowed at last [his] tears”. It evokes sympathy for the speaker as he tries to deal with conflicting emotions and memories. Even places that they “best remembered” also become a source of sadness.

SAMPLE ANSWER ON A POEM: 'When You Are Old' by W.B. Yeats

When You Are Old

BY W.B. YEATS (1865-1939)

When you are old and grey and full of sleep,

And nodding by the fire, take down this book,

And slowly read, and dream of the soft look

Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;

How many loved your moments of glad grace, 5

And loved your beauty with love false or true,

But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,

And loved the sorrows of your changing face;

And bending down beside the glowing bars,

Murmur, a little sadly, how Love fled 10

And paced upon the mountains overhead

And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.

ESSAY QUESTION:

Old age may be a time of regrets.

How far do you agree with the statement?

Discuss with close reference to the poem.

Sample answer:

By the time one reaches old age, the accumulation of life experiences will provide much to reflect on. Some memories may be cherished whereas others could evoke feelings of regret. W.B. Yeats suggests the latter in his poem, When You Are Old, where the speaker attempts to elicit feelings of guilt or remorse in the woman he addresses. As the poem is in the form of a dramatic monologue, the woman whom the speaker addresses is silent. Thus it is not determined whether the desired effect on her is achieved but it clearly highlights old age as a time of regrets.

Stanza 1 of the poem presents old age as lacking in vitality thus all one can do is remember the past, which may bring out feelings of regret. It is suggested that being old is 'full of sleep' and one can only spend time 'nodding by the fire' as it is too tiring to do anything else and too late to change what was done in the past. As a result much time can only be spent in contemplation. The stanza hints at the possibility of regret at not having done things in earlier years. In 'slowly read' it hints at the slowing down of mental faculties as well and even past events may seem like a 'dream'.

Furthermore, it is implied that in remembering the past there are both positive as well as negative associations. Although recalling the 'soft look' one's eyes may have had could bring about a smile, the reverse is the effect in 'shadows deep'. The consonance in the repeated 'd' sounds create a heaviness suggesting regret. Also, 'shadows' connotes skeletons in the closet; the old woman may have kept something hidden as it was shameful. This, as well as 'deep', extends the imagery of secrecy and cumulatively could be a source of regret in old age.

Moreover, the choice of whom to love in times gone by could be reason for remorse as well. The speaker in the poem highlights the possibility that many may have deluded themselves into thinking of her 'glad grace' as romantic interest. However 'moments' suggests that they were brief. One can only speculate at the number of hearts that were broken but this could be regarded either as a triumph for the old woman, or cause for unease later in life at having disappointed many men. But, when the speaker points out that their feelings could have been either 'false or true', it suggests that some were only attracted to her physical appearance. Thus  she would not have to feel bad at having let them down.

However, it is indeed regrettable that among the many who were only besotted, is one whose true love remains unrecognised. This may result in anguish as it would have been a lost opportunity to connect with someone who really cared. In Stanza 2, when the speaker tells of the 'one man' who loves her 'pilgrim soul', it reveals the depth of his feelings for her as it transcends her physical 'beauty'. His ability to understand and accept her passion for her beliefs shows that he stands out above the others. It would be a big loss if his feelings are not reciprocated.

In addition, failure to acknowledge unconditional love connotes having to grow old alone. His acceptance of the physical changes she undergoes as a result of ageing is indeed admirable but it is unfortunate that the woman is unaware of this. When the speaker refers to the 'sorrows of [her] changing face' it implies her sadness at seeing the ravages of time making themselves visible. Although she may regret the loss of her beauty as she ages, the speaker is not put off but when she is ‘old and grey’ he cannot be there for her.

On the other hand, it can be lamented that sometimes matters of the heart do not have a happy ending because fate plays a significant role. The final stanza of this poem reveals this as ‘Love’ is personified as having ‘fled’ to ‘hid[e] his face’ among the ‘stars’, the latter implying fate. To hide one’s face suggests grief; in the context of this poem, it tells that he has no option but to sadly distance himself from the woman as a result of being rejected. It is fate that deals the blow, ending hopes of romance.

In conclusion, through his poem, W.B. Yeats convincingly presents old age as a time of regret at not having allowed oneself to experience true love. The old woman, for turning it away, and the speaker, because it was unrequited.

A WORKSHOP: How to write literature essays for SPM

I am considering conducting a few sessions on writing literature essays for SPM. This will cover the four genres, Short Stories, Novel, Drama, and Poems.

Please note that this workshop is not to teach the texts because by then you should have already studied them. It is to equip you with the skills for writing effective literature essays for the SPM examination.

Tentatively, it will be held in Petaling Jaya during the next school break which commences on August 25, 2017 and ends on September 2, 2017.
Again, tentatively, it will be over two days, possibly on August 26 and 27 (Saturday and Sunday) from 9am to 5pm.

Anyone who is interested, please post in 'comments'.

* Whether the workshop will take place is dependent on the number of students who would like to join.

EXAM TIP

FOR EACH SECTION IN THE LITERATURE PAPER, ALLOCATE YOUR TIME AS FOLLOWS:

5-mark question: 3 minutes
8-mark question: 12 minutes
12-mark question: 20 minutes

TOTAL: 35 minutes

Public service announcement

A note of advice to students.

If this subject is not offered at your school, you may opt to study on your own or look for a private tutor. Should you opt for the latter, please check that the tutor is experienced in teaching Literature in English (elective) for the SPM examinations. There have been some instances when students who contacted me for additional information discovered that their teachers had been teaching the wrong texts (from a previous cycle), did not know the format of the exam, or had not taught the subject before.

SPM 2015 Results

CONGRATULATIONS!

Below are the results of students who were under my tutelage in no particular order: 

Celine Lean (SMPK Setapak): A+

Lai Eu-Fern (SMK D. Jaya): A+

Lee Yee Hoay (SMK D. Jaya): A+

Amanda Chin Yih Tyng (SMK BUD 4): A

Amanda Vashti (SMK D. Jaya): A-

Sato Ranko (SMK BUD3): B

Sarah Mohd Nizal (Sekolah Sri UCSI): A+

Joshua Liew (SMK BUD3): B+

Farah Jasmin (Sri Garden KL): A-

Kathleen Gan (SMK D. Jaya): A-

Vanessa Cha (SMK D. Jaya): A

Nur Afiqah Azizan (SMK Jln Tiga, Bangi ): A+