Igcse English Literature Poem Essay Examples

IGCSE English Literature Paper 3: Poetry Coursework

Exemplars and Commentaries

SAMPLE A

How is the theme of Remembrance explored in the poems ‘Piano’, ‘Poem at 39’”, ‘Remember’ and three other poems? The theme of remembrance is something constantly explored in literature. It is truly a powerful force. It can bestow courage, feelings of warmth, or even overwhelm you. The poems ‘Piano’, ‘Poem at 39’ and ‘Remember’ are no exception to this. In ‘Piano’, the persona gets reminded by music of his childhood and weeps at his loss of it. Another loved and admired mother is described in ‘To My Mother’ by George Barker. In ‘Poem at 39’, the persona remembers her father and all the good things about him. The persona also remembers what his father was like when he was younger in two of Seamus Heaney’s poems ‘Digging’ and ‘Follower’. Finally in ‘Remember’, the persona seeks to be remembered after her death, but is conflicted by the fact that memories of her will cause sadness. First on the list is the poem ‘Piano’, written by D.H.Lawrence. Structurally, it is written in quatrains with 3 stanzas. In short, it is an organised poem. The structure of 3 stanzas divides the poem into 3 different parts. The stanzas create a clear space in time. Through the use of stanzas, you see the emotional contrasts between his dwelling in his childhood memories and the aftermath. Also, the poem is clearly defined chronologically (first stanza = present, second stanza = past, third stanza = present). It is easy to understand. So, summarizing, 3 stanzas are used and each stanza presents different moments. With the change from the second to the third stanza, the persona’s memories of bliss are juxtaposed with reality settling in. At that, the persona breaks down in anger, weeping the loss of his childhood. Lawrence uses several language techniques, but the one that is most prominent is his choice of diction. With his choice of diction he brings out the maximum effect of his poem. The words that...