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What feelings are expressed by the poet in the first three stanzas of this poem? Support your answer with reference to the poem - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2014
Question 1
What feelings are expressed by the poet in the first three stanzas of this poem? Support your answer with reference to the poem. What feelings are expressed by ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:What feelings are expressed by the poet in the first three stanzas of this poem? Support your answer with reference to the poem - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2014
Step 1
What feelings are expressed by the poet in the first three stanzas of this poem?
Answer
In the first three stanzas of Sylvia Plath's poem "Child", the poet expresses deep love and admiration for the beauty and innocence of a new-born child. The strong desire to fill the child's clear eye with color and vibrancy is indicative of the poet's longing for happiness and joy in the child's life. Phrases like 'color and ducks' and 'the zoo of the new' convey a yearning to provide a rich and fulfilling environment, illustrating the hopeful feelings surrounding motherhood. Furthermore, there is a tone of protective affection, as the poet wishes to guard the child from the complexities and troubles of the world, which she dismisses with phrases like 'this dark ceiling without a star.' This longing for the child's happiness highlights the poet's emotional depth and connection to her child.
Step 2
What feelings are expressed by the poet in the last stanza of this poem?
Answer
In the final stanza of the poem, the feelings of despair and helplessness emerge starkly. The use of the phrase 'not this troublous wringing of hands' indicates a profound sense of desperation. The imagery of darkness and the absence of stars in 'this dark ceiling' suggests a bleak outlook, contrasting sharply with the vibrant hopes expressed earlier in the poem. This shift signifies the poet's struggle with the overwhelming responsibilities of parenthood and the fears of inadequacy that accompany it. The emotional rawness reflected in this stanza evokes a sense of hopelessness, underscoring the complexities of nurturing and the poet's worries about protecting her child.
Step 3
Choose two lines or phrases from the poem that appeal to you and explain your choice.
Answer
I am drawn to the lines 'Your clear eye is the absolutely beautiful thing' and 'Pool in which images should be grand and classical.' The first line resonates with me because it encapsulates the innocence and beauty of a child's perspective, symbolizing purity and potential. The metaphor of the 'clear eye' evokes clarity and the promise of a bright future. The second line appeals to me as it speaks to the expectations we have for our children, desiring them to experience the wonder and depth of life. The contrast between innocence and the grand expectations of the world is both poignant and moving, highlighting the dual nature of parenting—hopeful yet laden with pressure.