Paula Meehan (Leaving Cert English): Flashcards
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Practise the cards
13 cards from this deck
Narrative form used in Meehan's Virgin poem
Narrative form used in Meehan's Virgin poem
Dramatic monologue
Real-life tragedy referenced in the poem
Real-life tragedy referenced in the poem
Ann Lovett, 15, died giving birth at Granard grotto, 1984
Who narrates 'The Statue of the Virgin at Granard Speaks'
Who narrates 'The Statue of the Virgin at Granard Speaks'
The statue of the Virgin Mary
Central irony of the poem
Central irony of the poem
Virgin Mary statue criticises the religion she represents
Statue's view of organised religion in poem
Statue's view of organised religion in poem
Scathing attack; calls it 'bloody religion'
What 'tucked up' phrase represents in poem
What 'tucked up' phrase represents in poem
Society hiding uncomfortable truths/scandals
Sound devices Meehan uses in the poem
Sound devices Meehan uses in the poem
Alliteration, assonance, and consonance
Statue's preference: natural forces or God?
Statue's preference: natural forces or God?
Natural forces; appeals to sun as 'molten mother of us all'
How statue describes townspeople's prayers
How statue describes townspeople's prayers
Like sparks from bonfire that blaze then wink out - useless
Purpose of 'They' pronoun for townspeople
Purpose of 'They' pronoun for townspeople
Creates distance; makes them faceless and indistinguishable
Poem's structural progression
Poem's structural progression
Through seasons: winter bitterness to autumn death
Winter imagery effect in opening
Winter imagery effect in opening
Creates harsh, dangerous atmosphere; reflects bitter mood
Nature vs organised religion theme in poem
Nature vs organised religion theme in poem
Statue values nature, rejects religion as artificial & harmful