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5.1 Refer to line 1: 'Heat, all pervading, crinkles up the soil' - NSC English HL - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 5
5.1 Refer to line 1: 'Heat, all pervading, crinkles up the soil'. What impression is created of the heat in this line? 5.2 Refer to line 6: 'Huddled together near s... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:5.1 Refer to line 1: 'Heat, all pervading, crinkles up the soil' - NSC English HL - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
Refer to line 1: 'Heat, all pervading, crinkles up the soil'. What impression is created of the heat in this line?
Answer
The line suggests that the heat is overwhelming and harsh. It has the power to dry out the soil, causing it to appear wrinkled. This conveys the destructive impact of the heat, emphasizing its inescapable nature and the barren landscape it creates.
Step 2
Refer to line 6: 'Huddled together near some shrunken pool -'. Explain what this line suggests about the oxen.
Answer
This line suggests that the oxen are desperate for water and are crowding together near a dwindling water source. It indicates their vulnerability and the dire situation they are in. Their proximity to each other reflects both a need for comfort and an instinctive behavior driven by the harsh conditions.
Step 3
Refer to line 4: 'Warm scavengers of wind heap up the spoil'. Discuss the effectiveness of the imagery in the context of the poem.
Answer
The imagery of the wind as scavengers is powerful because it evokes a sense of destruction and relentless action. The wind's role in blowing away the soil, and its comparison to scavengers, suggests that it is stripping the land of life and vitality, just as scavengers strip flesh from a carcass. This enhances the theme of the poem, highlighting the devastating effects of drought on the environment.
Step 4
Refer to lines 13–14: 'And still no ... droop and die.' Comment on how the diction in the last two lines conveys the overall mood of the poem.
Answer
The diction in these lines conveys a mood of despair and hopelessness. The terms 'droop' and 'die' evoke strong imagery of decay and lifelessness, emphasizing the consequences of prolonged drought. The choice of words creates an emotional weight that reinforces the overall theme of desolation in the face of nature's indifference.