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Write a response to the above poem, highlighting the impact it makes on you - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2009
Question 1
Write a response to the above poem, highlighting the impact it makes on you. OR 2. (a) What impression of Anne Carson’s father do you get from reading this poem?... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Write a response to the above poem, highlighting the impact it makes on you - Leaving Cert English - Question 1 - 2009
Step 1
Write a response to the above poem, highlighting the impact it makes on you.
Answer
In the poem 'Father’s Old Blue Cardigan,' Anne Carson captures the delicate and poignant relationship she shares with her father through the imagery of the cardigan. This piece evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, serving as a metaphor for innocence and vulnerability.
As I read the poem, I couldn't help but feel a profound sadness intertwined with warmth. The act of putting on the cardigan symbolizes a return to the innocence of childhood, a longing to reclaim simpler times, particularly in moments filled with a sense of loss. The lines where she describes her father’s final illness and his reversion to childlike states resonate strongly with me, highlighting the cyclical nature of life.
Moreover, the visual imagery associated with the cardigan—its color, texture, and the comfort it provides—magnifies the emotional weight of the piece. The sense of comfort and warmth it provides is contrasted with the melancholy of her father's condition.
Overall, Carson’s poem profoundly impacted me, as it explores the intergenerational bond of care and love, ultimately steering me toward reflections on personal relationships and the fleeting nature of time.
Step 2
(a) What impression of Anne Carson’s father do you get from reading this poem?
Answer
Anne Carson’s father emerges as a figure marked by both strength and fragility. Initially depicted through the lens of care and memories, he embodies a complex mixture of authority and vulnerability. The poem conveys an impression of a man who, despite his frailty in illness, retains an essence of innocence reminiscent of a child.
His appearance, as described in the poem, suggests not only a physical decline but also evokes a deeper emotional disjunction; the 'old blue cardigan' symbolizes his connection to the past, drawing parallels between childhood simplicity and adult challenges. This impression is further enhanced by Carson's vivid recollections that juxtapose the sadness of his condition with tender moments from their shared history.
Step 3
(b) Briefly describe the mood or feeling you get from reading this poem and illustrate your answer from the text.
Answer
The mood of this poem is steeped in nostalgia and melancholy. It strikes a delicate balance between warmth and sorrow. For instance, the mention of cold nights and memories mingling with the moonbeams conjures feelings of reminiscence, while simultaneously invoking a sense of loss regarding her father's health.
Carson’s use of contrasting imagery—between warmth from the cardigan and the coldness of her father's suffering—highlights this complex emotional landscape. The recurring theme of regression to childlike behavior amidst illness further illustrates a poignant mood, underscoring the inevitable passage of time and its emotional toll.