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Do you think this is a sad or a happy song? Give reasons for your answer, based on your reading of the poem - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2006
Question 1
Do you think this is a sad or a happy song? Give reasons for your answer, based on your reading of the poem. 2. What does the City hope for in the final 4 lines? E... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Do you think this is a sad or a happy song? Give reasons for your answer, based on your reading of the poem - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2006
Step 1
Do you think this is a sad or a happy song? Give reasons for your answer, based on your reading of the poem.
Answer
The poem can be interpreted as a sad song, reflecting a sense of loss and longing. The imagery of the speaker’s body being weighed down by concrete and lead suggests a heavy burden, emphasizing a disconnection from vitality and freedom. Phrases such as 'My brain is stiff with concrete' communicate a feeling of entrapment within the city.
Additionally, the metaphor of the soul being 'bought in a deal' implies a deep sense of disillusionment and betrayal. This highlights a lack of authenticity and joy, as the spirit of the city seems to be compromised.
However, there's a desire for renewal in the closing lines, indicating a flicker of hope. The speaker asks to be treated as a natural entity, which suggests a longing for harmony and a return to innocence. This duality provides a complex emotional landscape, leaning more towards sadness due to the overwhelming desire for connection and belonging that remains unfulfilled.
Step 2
What does the City hope for in the final 4 lines? Explain your answer.
Answer
In the final four lines, the City expresses a hope for nurturing and growth. The lines 'Let me grow like wheat from the grain' and 'Let me hold out my arms like a natural tree' suggest a desire to reconnect with nature and humanity. This imagery evokes a longing for natural characteristics, indicating a wish to be embraced by its citizens.
The reference to children in 'Let my children love me again' implies a yearning for acceptance and affection from those who inhabit it. This speaks to the essential need for the City to be loved and appreciated by its residents, highlighting themes of belonging and identity. In a broader sense, the City hopes for a revival of genuine connections and a community that nurtures rather than isolates.