A Hard Frost Type and Form: Theme: Appearance vs. Reality
A frost came in the night and stole my world
∑ Free verse The beautiful, spring-like appearance of the frosty scene is
And left this changeling for it – a precocious ∑ Two stanzas – 9 lines and 10 lines deceptive, as it will soon melt away and the frost-damaged
∑ No rhyme winter landscape will be revealed. The actual approach of
Image of Spring, too brilliant to be true;
∑ Enjambment - creates a smooth flow, as spring is happening underground- less glamorous but more
White lilac on the windowpane, each grass-blade if the poet is thinking aloud. meaningful. In the same way, much of what we see as
∑ The first stanza describes the scene, beautiful and worthy is actually an illusion, and the truly
Furred like a catkin, maydrift loading the hedge
while the second stanza comments on it important things in life are often happening unseen and
The elms behind the house are elms no longer and exposes the ‘truth’ of the first. appreciated. Death is necessary to make way for new life.
He uses the stunning scenery and relates the
But blossomers in crystal, stems of the mist Imagery: contrast snow and frost transformation in nature to the human lifecycle.
That hangs yet in the valley below, amorphous
∑ Words used to describe the hard frost
Tone: While the speaker is admiring the beautiful scene
As the blind tissue whence creation formed. were beautiful, shiny and bright. These
created by the frost, he is critical of its trickery-
were used to portray a beautiful scene of
disapproving and indignant. He has an appreciative tone
white snow spreading all over the forest..
when he considers the true transformation occurring below
The sun looks out, and the fields blaze with diamonds. ∑ Usually, the forest in winter gave people ground.
a sense of cruelty, harshness and lifeless
Mockery spring, to lend this bridal gear
but after having a white frost coating on ∑ Lines One to Three- Distrusting and dismissive
For a few hours to a raw country maid, the dead trees, mountains, everything ∑ Lines Ten to Fourteen- Stongly and negatively critical,
seemed to become glamorous and accusatory, disparaging, perhaps even indulgent,
Then leave her all disconsolate with old fairings
attractive because the frost has turned the countryside into a
Of aconite and snowdrop! No, not here bride dressed in white just for a short while, then takes
it all away(by melting), leaving only the plants whch
Amid this flounce and filigree of death
flower in winter(‘aconite’ and ‘snowdrop’). The
Is the real transformation scene in progress exclamation mark emphasises this tone.
∑ Lines 16-17: Tone is positive
But deep below where frost
∑ Line 19: Tone is one of satisfaction
Worrying the stiff clods unclenches their
Grip on the seed and lets our future breathe
,Title – When the temperatures become very low and anything exposed to ∑ There is a link between ‘crystal’ and ‘diamonds’ which make the field ∑ The transformation below the earth impresses him. It represents
the night air gets a coating of ice crystals - beautiful but damages plants. seem rich. strength and endurance. The earth is surrendering its powerful hold
Stanza One to the power of spring. This allows the seeds to sprout/grow and
Lines One to Three: Lines Eleven to Fourteen: break out of the soil to promise future life and growth.
∑ The word’s appearance has been radically altered by the layer of the ∑ Lines 11-13 : Tone is disapproving ∑ ‘worrying’- Indicates that the snow does not give up even though the
frost which makes the surroundings appear spring-like. ∑ ‘mockery’- the narrator feels that the frost is deceiving the people clods/lumps of earth are clenching the seed. It just keeps at it. It is
∑ The dreary winter world has been transformed overnight to being making them think that Spring has arrived. forcing the clods to let go of their tight grip in order that, when
brighter. ∑ Line 14: Tone is positive warmer days arrive in Spring, they will be able to grow out of the soil
∑ ‘came in the night and stole’ – personification- described negatively ∑ ‘bridal gear’ – metaphor- The white frost blanket is compared to a into the air. The seeds are the future and the frost is giving them
from the start – sneaky wedding dress.The wedding dress is being lent to a country maid for space to get ready for Spring, growth, to ‘breathe’ (a long, gentle
∑ ‘changeling’ – metaphor – the brilliant frosty scene is described as a a few hours, but she will be left terribly sad when she has to return it sounding word).
changeling which describes folklore belief that spirits can swap one and resume her boring appearance. ∑ Personification- Creates an image of a contest of strength taking
baby for another. The implication is that this beautiful scene cannot ∑ ‘disconsolate’ – unhappy/depressed place beneath the ground where the earth is surrendering its hold to
be trusted as it is not real and is temporary just like the babies. ∑ ‘No’ – not impressed by the beautiful transformation the power of spring. This allows the seeds the chance to sprout,
∑ The glittering and sparkling of the reflected frost creates a bright ∑ Personification/ Extended Metaphor – Spring is personified as an grow and break out of the soil to promise future life and growth.
image of Spring imitation (‘mockery spring’) who cruelly gives a ‘raw country maid’
∑ ‘precocious’ – It is not long-lasting. It is an image of the flowers that (the landscape) this beautiful ‘bridal gear’ (the decorative ice NB: The entire poem is an extended metaphor/form of personification.
will grow in spring. crystals), knowing that it will not last and she will be left with The poet is using ‘frost’ as a metaphor, comparing the beautiful ice
∑ ‘brilliant’ – beautiful nothing else but ‘old fairings’ (the few flowers that are tough enough crystals to the superficial things of this world, which may be attractive and
Lines Four to Five: to grow during the cold months). seem like a promise of something good, but which prove to have no
∑ Metaphors and similes- the patterns and shapes made by the frost Line Fifteen: lasting value. True progress and value is often unseen and unglamorous
are compared to flowers which grow in Spring. ∑ ‘flounce’ – impatient movement/ frills- has connotations of showing and not appreciated by many.
∑ ‘furred like a catkin’ – looks like a furry leaf off- highlighting the poet’s disapproval of this behaviour.
∑ Green ∑ ‘filigree’ – delicate ornamental metal work
Lines Six to Nine: ∑ These delicate ‘fowers’ melt away as it grows warmer and perhaps
∑ Tone from line 7-8 is uneasy the plants which are not resistant enough to the cold conditions are
∑ The elm trees look like they are covered in flowers made of crystal. killed too, unlike the ‘aconite’ and ‘snowdrop’.
∑ Metaphor- The trunks of tall trees become the stalks which support ∑ Alliteration –creates a sense of lightness and altitude of the frost
the shapeless clouds formed by the mist. which appears to be boasting its beautiful appearance- refers to the
∑ ‘amorphous’ – have no shape beautiful patterns the frost makes on the windows and plants – this
∑ Lines 7-9: Simile – the mist is being compared to unformed, primitive beauty will actually cause damage and death to many plants
,matter that existed before ‘creation’ and from which the natural Lines Sixteen to Nineteen:
world grew or was made ∑ Personification – The frost is personified as ‘worrying’ the clods of
Stanza Two earth to break them apart. The clods of earth are personified as
Line 10: having a strong ‘grip’ on the seed, which the frost forces them to
∑ ‘the sun looks out’ – Personification – the sun is compared to a loosen. The future is personified- once the seeds have been released
person looking out of a window, at a field, which describes the first from the hard, frozen earth, our future can ‘breathe’ – in other
appearance of the sun over the horizon. This emphasises that it is words. The rebirth of the earth’s fertility is assured and our future is
daytime. safe for another year.
∑ ‘blaze with diamonds’ – Metaphor – When the sun appears out of an ∑ ‘real’- marks the difference between what has changed above the
overcast sky, the scene is suddenly bathed in sunlight. The light ground and what is changing below the ground. What is happening
reflecting off the ice particles is compared to the bright, fiery sparkle on the surface is a temporary or ephemeral change. The changes
of diamonds when light is cast upon it. beneath the surface is what is actually real and important.
,
, AN AFRICAN ELEGY
Tone: Theme:
We are the miracles that God made
To taste the bitter fruit of Time. ∑ Reflective, thoughtful, contemplative, meditative Africans are able to bear poverty and
We are precious. hardship. They have an intimate
∑ Friendly, hopeful, optimistic, encouraging, uplifting
And one day our suffering
Will turn into the wonders of the earth. ∑ The poet is in awe of the magical quality of nature and connection with nature. They are
life enduring and optimistic. They are
There are things that burn me now ∑ Assertive, persuasive hopeful, despite the hardships which
Which turn golden when I am happy. they face. They are eternally hopeful
Do you see the mystery of our pain? ∑ Stanza One: Bitter but optimistic
That we bear poverty as they are able to find positives, even
And are able to sing and dream sweet things
Form: in difficult situations. Hope, miracles,
poverty, pain, destiny, time, suffering.
And that we never curse the air when it is warm ∑ Elegy One who forgets their suffering no
Or the fruit when it tastes so good
Or the lights that bounce gently on the waters? ∑ No rhyme scheme longer suffers.
We bless things even in our pain. ∑ Each stanza has five lines; therefore it has regularity and
We bless them in silence.
a distinct pattern. Sound Devices:
∑ Short lines stand out.
That is why our music is so sweet. This is a poem that demands to be
It makes the air remember. ∑ Line breaks add an extra dimension, which promotes
There are secret miracles at work read aloud. The pauses, bound by the
multiple interpretations
That only Time will bring forth. punctuation and line breaks, create a
I too have heard the dead singing.
rhythm that contributes significantly
to the reader’s appreciation and
And they tell me that
This life is good understanding of the poem
They tell me to live it gently
With fire, and always with hope.
There is wonder here
And there is surprise
In everything the unseen moves.
The ocean is full of songs.
The sky is not an enemy.
Destiny is our friend.
