These notes come from myself, who passed matric of 2023 with an overall average of 87% in each subject i took.
A detailed summary of the poem "Cockroaches" for the IEB English exam
Poetry - Cockroaches
Wednesday, 16 February 2022 13:03
Cockroaches
Cockroaches' - They are nocturnal, common and hardy insects capable of tolerating a wide range of
climates, from Artic cold to tropical heat.
Stanza 1
Turn on the light: begins with sudden, harsh action. Light has connotations of being good, pure and
happy.
Helter-skelter: involving disorderly haste or confusion. This furthers the description of the
cockroaches sudden disperse in a disorderly, quick or confused way. Means sudden.
Scuttle: panic-like movements of the legs, akin to crabs' leg movements.
Dark shelters: dark; shows the cockroaches need for a place of safety and protection. This
contradicts the light used in line 1.
Stanza 1: the actions of cockroaches in contrast to the idea of the title, positions the cockroaches as
innocent and misunderstood victims.
Stanza 2
Cut them off: cut reinforces the harsh and sudden action. Indicates an ‘othering’ action, cockroaches
are being.
Hideout: a place of refuge, retreat and concealment.
Block: isolated on its own; reinforces the notion of blocking off someone or something.
Many approaches: ambushed from all angles and emphasises no escape. It is deliberately harsh.
Hopeless: despairing, despondent, desperate.
Helpless: unable to defend oneself.
Helpless and Hopeless: evokes a quality of sadness or pity.
Flurry: small, swirling mass that reinforces the chaos and disorder. Emphasises how defenceless the
cockroaches' movements emulate fear. This is seen as disorderly and chaotic.
Hermitage: safety
Stanza 2: The determination and ferocity with which these creatures are eradicated with no
feelings/ awareness of their right to life.
Stanza 3
But: highlights a contrast in tone in the poem. It sets up a philosophical question about the meaning
of life and death.
Ordained: to establish or order by appointment decree, or law.
Who: suggests no one person or being made did the ordaining.
Crash-fall: onomatopoeic. This links to the image of the 'helter-skelter' and 'scurry' emphasizing the
harsh sounds of killing the creatures.
Sandals: sandals are the preferred item to kill insects, particularly cockroaches. It highlights the
weapon warranting used on creatures.
Shy: this highlights the innocent nature of these creatures. use of the word 'creatures' instead of
vermin, insect, thing -- some sort of reconsideration of their worth or value.
English Page 1
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