I made this PowerPoint in preparation for my A-Level English exam, in which I achieved an A*. This PowerPoint contains detailed annotations of each line of the poem, separated by stanza. The analysis contains insight into the poem's context and complex literary techniques.
• The title of the poem is taken from John Milton’s sonnet ‘On His Blindness’,
written in 1655 after the poet’s complete loss of sight. Milton initially copes badly
with his condition and how it stunts his capacity to serve God, but he ends with
determination to bear his blindness philosophically, stating that ‘They also serve who
only stand and wait.’
• Thorpe takes a different approach, acknowledging that his mother, like most of us, is
less stoical than Milton, for all her pretense at being able to see more than she does.
The line where she confesses “It’s living hell, to be honest Adam" rouses the reader’s
sympathy.
• The fact that his mother has to endure the humiliation of bumping into walls and can
easily lose her dignity — though he claims that she doesn’t — is made clear. But it is
after her death that the poet imagines that ‘she was 'watching us somewhere in the
end’ — an ironic resolution. On a spiritual level she has found her sight.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller leahvadher05. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £4.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.