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Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow - NSC English HL - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 2
Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow. VULTURES – Chinua Achebe 1 In the greyness 2 and drizzle of one despondent 3 dawn unstirred by harbi... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read the poem below and then answer the questions that follow - NSC English HL - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
2.1 The vulture’s bald head exposes its misshapen, unnatural-looking head. It is perceived as a revolting/repulsive/disgusting looking creature.
Answer
The vulture’s bald head is depicted as unnatural and grotesque, showcasing a design that evokes a sense of repulsion. This imagery is impactful, emphasizing his role as a scavenger and reinforcing the poem's themes of death and decay.
Step 2
2.2 These lines suggest that love can exist even in deathly circumstances. It can suppress any sense of the horror of the scene by avoiding/ignoring the horror/harsher reality which surrounds it.
Answer
In this context, love appears to flourish in extreme situations, allowing individuals to overlook the surrounding horror. The lines illustrate a paradox where affection exists amidst horror, suggesting that such emotions have a capacity to overshadow grim realities.
Step 3
2.3 The image of a 'human roast' is particularly shocking: human beings are being incinerated and the smell of burning flesh lingers in the air. The image emphasises the cruelty of the concentration camps. The smell of burning flesh that clings to the Commandant's nostrils is a disturbing reminder of how the persecuted were incinerated in the camps. It is effective because it conveys the inhumane treatment of humans by the Commandant regarded it as a natural part of his day – incinerating human flesh is like cooking a roast. The sense of evil is intensified by the imagery of cannibalism. In his view, there is nothing unusual about it.
Answer
The horrifying imagery of a 'human roast' elicits a visceral reaction, highlighting the brutal reality of concentration camps. It underscores the dehumanization that occurs in such contexts, where the act of cooking is twisted to represent atrocity. This juxtaposition serves to amplify the chilling acceptance of insensitivity by figures like the Commandant.
Step 4
2.4 AGREE Just as the disgusting vultures are capable of affection and tenderness, the Commandant, in spite of his cruelty and evil, appears to exhibit love and care. The contradiction between the disgusting appearance and the eating habits of the vultures is juxtaposed with their intimate behavior toward each other. It is a shocking revelation to the reader because it is so unexpected. The actions of the Commandant at work are juxtaposed with actions in the home that would appear to be capable of such fondness and consideration. The contrasting actions and emotions are jarring and make the reader question the implied paradox.
Answer
The duality presented in the poem is striking; while vultures embody disgust, they also show tenderness, mirroring the Commandant's juxtaposed nature of cruelty at work and affection at home. This representation challenges readers to ponder the complex nature of humanity and morality, exposing the unsettling reality that love can coexist with evil.