This document contains detailed analysis, context and in-depth literary conventions for the Poetry section of the Edexcel A-Level English Literature course. Further support is given to students with the inclusion of quotation banks providing students with the foundations to be successful in essay q...
The title focuses on a single unnamed individual, it would immediately bring a sense
of intrigue and mystery to the poem, and indicate that the subject matter is specific to
one person rather than to anything else
Structure:
There are four stanzas in total in the poem, each made up of six lines. Enjambment
occurs between all of the stanzas to create the effect of ongoing quick and frantic
speech, with little opportunity to pause for reflection on what has been said.
the breaks between stanzas often act as ‘hinge points’ for the poem, particularly
between the first and second stanza when the tone shifts to be more mysterious and
disturbing.
There is a wide mix of different sentence lengths throughout ‘The Lammas Hireling’,
varying from several lines to only one line or less. Again, this helps to encourage the
feeling of confusion and make a reader see the narrator as erratic
Enjambment occurs between all of the stanzas to create the effects of ongoing quick
and frantic speech, with little opportunity to pause for reflection on what has been
said. Helps to increase the level of confusion felt by the reader
Semantic field of the supernatural with words such as ‘warlock’, ‘night’ and ‘dark’
Adds layers to the poem as it makes the reader question reality of situation
continuing with scepticism of narrator's story. Typical connotations of words include
danger, mystery and the unknown and this would make the reader apprehensive of
the situation
Language Techniques / Devices:
Using specific word placements helps to continue the sense of confusion, often in
relation to the ideas of “light” – whether that be something physically light in weight,
or happy and positive connotations.
the oxymoron “light from the dark lantern” makes a reader question the effectiveness
of the lantern if it is not truly able to show light and clarity on the situation, acting as a
metaphor for the confusing events of the second stanza which links the ideas of the
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