S4 Scottish Text

1. S4 Scottish Text S4 The Poetry of Edwin Morgan 'Slate'

2. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' The fourth of Morgan’s poems that we are going to investigate is the poem ‘Slate’. ‘Slate’ comes from a collection of poetry in which Morgan considers the enormous changes that have already affected Scotland through the millennia as well as imagining those which have yet to come

3. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' In 2014, the poem ‘Slate’ has perhaps more resonance than ever before. This is because the poem examines Scotland’s role in the world following a dramatic political campaign. While in 2014, Scottish voters went to the polls to vote on whether Scotland should be an independent country, back in 1979, we voted on whether or not we should have a Parliament.

4. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' Slate is a poem from a collection called Sonnets from Scotland which Morgan published in 1984. This series of poems was written after an important time in Scotland’s history– the Scottish Referendum of 1979. The outcome of this referendum was that although a majority of people had voted for devolution, this majority was not deemed large enough to enact the legislation, and politically the country was at a low ebb.

5. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' The decade that followed, the 1980s, was seen as a particularly bruising period for Scotland. With a Conservative government in Westminster that had little support north of the border, Scotland and its people began to feel increasingly isolated from the political elite. It was not until 1997, and the election of Tony Blair’s Labour government that Scotland would once again vote on whether or not to have its own Parliament.

6. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' Like many Scots, Edwin Morgan struggled to reassess Scotland’s position following the failed vote of 1979 (much as many are struggling in 2014). Edwin Morgan was a Nationalist, and he left almost £1million in his will to the SNP. The failed vote of 1979 and the decade that followed troubled him greatly.

7. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' In writing his 1984 collection of sonnets, Morgan hoped to discover Scotland’s new position and, despite his disappointment, it is in many ways defiant and hopeful in its tone. ‘[Sonnets from Scotland] began with the idea of writing one or two, I think as a kind of reaction, probably, to the failure of the Referendum to give Scotland political devolution and any idea of a Scottish Assembly. (…) It's a kind of comeback, an attempt to show that Scotland was there, was alive and kicking (…) and that one mustn't write it off just because the Assembly had not come into being.’

8. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' The poem ‘Slate’ looks back to the very formation of the land of Scotland, and is a celebration of this ever changing and constantly evolving nation. The message is in many ways a positive one, encouraging despondent nationalists to remain hopeful for the future.

9. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' This pride in the strength of Scotland is at the heart of the poem ‘Slate’. We are now going to read through the poem and we will take some time to comment on its meaning and its structure.

10. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' There is no beginning. We saw Lewis laid down, when there was not much but thunder and volcanic fires; watched long seas plunder faults; laughed as Staffa cooled. Drumlins blue as bruises were grated off like nutmegs; bens, and a great glen, gave a rough back we like to think the ages must streak, surely strike, seldom stroke, but raised and shaken, with tens of thousands of rains, blizzards, sea-poundings shouldered off into night and memory. Memory of men! That was to come. Great in their empty hunger these surroundings threw walls to the sky, the sorry glory of a rainbow. Their heels kicked flint, chalk, slate.

11. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' We will now read through the poem together before considering its meaning. If you spot any techniques then feel free to annotate them on your poem. Consider the following • Word Choice • Imagery • Tone • Alliteration • Repetition • Rhyme

12. S4 Scottish Text The Sonnet Form As the title of Morgan’s collection suggests, ‘Slate’ is written in the sonnet form. ‘Slate’ is a sonnet, a particular form of poem with certain rules. A sonnet should have 14 lines, and these lines are usually 10 syllables long. Most sonnets rhyme. One rhyme scheme goes like this: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG This is called the Shakespearean sonnet, because he wrote so many of them. Here’s one, his sonnet number 12:

13. S4 Scottish Text 'Sonnet 12' (Example) When I do count the clock that tells the time, And see the brave day sunk in hideous night; When I behold the violet past prime, And sable curls, all silver'd o'er with white; When lofty trees I see barren of leaves, Which erst from heat did canopy the herd, And summer's green all girded up in sheaves, Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard; Then of thy beauty do I question make, That thou among the wastes of time must go, Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake, And die as fast as they see others grow; And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence. If you examine the final word of each line, you should notice a pattern in the rhyme. This is called the ‘rhyme scheme’. In a Shakespearean sonnet such as this one the rhyme scheme is a straightforward… ABAB CDCD EFEF GG

14. S4 Scottish Text 'Sonnet 12' (Example) When I do count the clock that tells the time, A And see the brave day sunk in hideous night; B When I behold the violet past prime, A And sable curls, all silver'd o'er with white; B When lofty trees I see barren of leaves, C Which erst from heat did canopy the herd, D And summer's green all girded up in sheaves, C Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard; D Then of thy beauty do I question make, E That thou among the wastes of time must go, F Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake, E And die as fast as they see others grow; F And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence G Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence. G

15. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' There is no beginning. We saw Lewis laid down, when there was not much but thunder and volcanic fires; watched long seas plunder faults; laughed as Staffa cooled. Drumlins blue as bruises were grated off like nutmegs; bens, and a great glen, gave a rough back we like to think the ages must streak, surely strike, seldom stroke, but raised and shaken, with tens of thousands of rains, blizzards, sea-poundings shouldered off into night and memory. Memory of men! That was to come. Great in their empty hunger these surroundings threw walls to the sky, the sorry glory of a rainbow. Their heels kicked flint, chalk, slate. Let’s do the same thing for ‘Slate’. Can you spot the rhyme scheme used by Morgan?

16. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' There is no beginning. We saw Lewis A laid down, when there was not much but thunder B and volcanic fires; watched long seas plunder B faults; laughed as Staffa cooled. Drumlins blue as A bruises were grated off like nutmegs; bens, C and a great glen, gave a rough back we like D to think the ages must streak, surely strike, D seldom stroke, but raised and shaken, with tens C of thousands of rains, blizzards, sea-poundings E shouldered off into night and memory. F Memory of men! That was to come. Great G in their empty hunger these surroundings E threw walls to the sky, the sorry glory F of a rainbow. Their heels kicked flint, chalk, slate. G

17. S4 Scottish Text This is a very powerful statement. It serves as a reminder that the landscape of Scotland is far older than the country itself. It dates back to an ancient time long before any life could remember it. 'Slate' There is no beginning. We saw Lewis laid down, when there was not much but thunder and volcanic fires; watched long seas plunder faults; laughed as Staffa cooled. Drumlins blue as There is also a stark contrast to the words of the opening book of the Bible which begins with the words that ‘in the beginning’ God created the heavens and the earth. Here Morgan appears to be rejecting this belief.

18. S4 Scottish Text The poem then moves to look at certain parts of Scotland being formed. The isle of Lewis is mentioned and ‘laid down’ suggests it was placed there. The atmosphere is vibrant and full of movement as land is formed. Lewis is also the oldest surface rock in the world. 'Slate' There is no beginning. We saw Lewis laid down, when there was not much but thunder and volcanic fires; watched long seas plunder faults; laughed as Staffa cooled. Drumlins blue as This is yet another reminder that the land of Scotland was formed many millions of years ago, when Earth was little more than fire and lava..

19. S4 Scottish Text The image here is of a land that is constantly changing and moving. It is a suggestion that the land is constantly evolving….this links to the political climate of the time, that the country is moving and restless, but that change will come. 'Slate' There is no beginning. We saw Lewis laid down, when there was not much but thunder and volcanic fires; watched long seas plunder faults; laughed as Staffa cooled. Drumlins blue as Staffa is an island in Scotland that is famous for its volcanic land forms in a cave called Fingal’s Cave. The suggestion that we ‘laughed’ as it cools refers to the unusual shapes that were formed as the land settled. We also question who the ‘we’ of the speaker may be.

20. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' The interior of Fingal’s Cave in Staffa. The hexagonal columns found here mirror those of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. This further emphasises the movement and formation of the world.

21. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' As a result of the unique shape of the basalt pillars and the curved ceiling of the cave, a unique and eerie sound can be heard inside. This can be found in Mendelssohn's ‘Fingal’s Cave’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcogD-hHEYs

22. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' The opening of the poem highlights that the natural beauty of Scotland exists only because it has been carved by the brutal forces of nature.

23. S4 Scottish Text Morgan’s choice of simile is particularly apt when we consider when the poem was written. The speaker describes drumlins blue as/bruises. Here he compares hills to a painful reminder of a physical encounter. On one level, the comparison suggests the tough nature of the environment. 'Slate' Drumlins blue as bruises were grated off like nutmegs; bens, and a great glen, gave a rough back we like to think the ages must streak, surely strike, When we think about the political significance of the Scottish Referendum, the simile might also create the impression that Scotland, the nation, feels bruised by this period in history.

24. S4 Scottish Text The Great Glen which runs across Scotland becomes a rough back. Morgan uses the metaphor to compare a feature of the landscape to the indomitable spirit of Scotland. The environment, like the tough hide of a coarse, resilient creature, is able to weather the elements. 'Slate' Drumlins blue as bruises were grated off like nutmegs; bens, and a great glen, gave a rough back we like to think the ages must streak, surely strike, Again, the message is that whatever is thrown at the land, it is resilient and strong enough to survive…the same goes for the political troubles of the time.

25. S4 Scottish Text The imagery here refers to all the various natural obstacles that the land will face up to and will overcome. Morgan’s message is that like these great storms, the political upheaval of the time will be ‘shouldered off into night and memory’. Scotland will go on. 'Slate' seldom stroke, but raised and shaken, with tens of thousands of rains, blizzards, sea-poundings shouldered off into night and memory. The fact that Scotland has survived all of these things indicates its strength and its ability to survive. It has been shaped by violent storms.

26. S4 Scottish Text These sentences seem relatively abrupt and underline the fact that human's history in Scotland is a mere moment when considering the millions of years taken to etch the contours of the landscape. 'Slate' Memory of men! That was to come. Great in their empty hunger these surroundings threw walls to the sky, the sorry glory of a rainbow. Their heels kicked flint, chalk, slate. This is also emphasised in the construction of the poem - ten lines are devoted to how the land was shaped, while the mention of humanity is given only one line.

27. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' Memory of men! That was to come. Great in their empty hunger these surroundings threw walls to the sky, the sorry glory of a rainbow. Their heels kicked flint, chalk, slate. When thinking of the political context of the poem, this could be considered to be a hopeful image– a reminder that setbacks and impediments do not necessarily prevent change but merely slow it down.

28. S4 Scottish Text 'Slate' The word choice of the ‘sorry glory of a rainbow’ is interesting. Like a rainbow, the hope of devolution in the 70s (and independence in 2014) could be seen as a beautiful, but short lived and insubstantial thing. Memory of men! That was to come. Great in their empty hunger these surroundings threw walls to the sky, the sorry glory of a rainbow. Their heels kicked flint, chalk, slate. The final list of words indicate that the landscape will live on, and while the people ‘kick their heels’, the country will continue to move forward.

29. 'Slate'

30. S4 Scottish Text S4 The Poetry of Edwin Morgan 'Slate'

31. S4 Deadlines Work Experience Essay (First Draft) to be completed for Tuesday 18th November 2014. ‘Macbeth’ Essays should have been handed in yesterday… I will take the rest of these today… Persuasive essays should have been handed in last week….(Cammy…)

32. 'Slate': Themes Change From the opening, the poem explores the inevitability of change and how Scotland itself has transformed over millions of years. The speaker’s description of the landscape and the impact of the elements paints a vivid picture of the ways in which Scotland’s environment has altered over time. Change, as the speaker acknowledges, has been taking place for millions of years and Scotland will continue to transform. In doing so, he presents a landscape and society in constant flux reminding us that although we may have suffered a political setback, this is merely a tiny hiccup when set against the backdrop of changes which have occurred over billions of years.

33. 'Slate': Themes Nature The strength of the natural environment is explored through the description of the hardy landscape of Scotland. When describing the weather, and the geological shifts, Morgan conveys the power of the elements and the part they play in moulding the land. Through this sonnet, Morgan certainly presents an environment that is both vibrant and vital. The colours and elements he evokes are, like the psyche of the people, strong, robust and resilient. The implication is that despite the enormity of the changes and transformations which have occurred, Scotland and her people will continue to adapt, thrive and survive. This is a poem which is ultimately hopeful, encouraging us to look forward while mindful of the enormous scope and scale of changes our country has already endured

34. 'Slate': Questions • Answer the following questions in your jotter in as much detail as you possibly can. • Summarise what this poem is about. Think about what Morgan is describing and the message that he is attempting to get across to the reader. • The poem is a sonnet. It has 14 lines and a clear rhyme scheme. What is the rhyme scheme of this poem? • What is the significance of the opening lines of the poem? What image of early Scotland does it project? • Much of the poem contains a list of powerful word choice such as ‘streak, surely strike, seldom stroke…’ What is Morgan’s message to the people of Scotland here? • Man only arrives in the final four lines of the poem, and is hardly mentioned. What is the message od this? In what way could it be said that there is still a hopeful ending to the poem?

35. S4 Scottish Text ‘Slate' Finding Links... ‘Slate' Message of survival against all the odds Political message An observation of humanity Poetic Techniques including Imagery, word choice, Punctuation.

36. Connections to other poems… ‘Slate’ and ‘Snack bar’ both look at the fact that despite terrible things happening to us, humanity has the ability to overcome it. (The old man linked to the nation after the failed referendum). Like each of the other poems, Slate makes an observation about human life…although not by watching a specific incident. In this it discusses the fact that in many ways our lives are short and fleeting. Just as ‘Good Friday’ and ‘Trio’ promote the message that religion is not all that matters, perhaps Slate is telling us that politics is not all that matters. 'Snack-bar' 'Trio' ‘Good Friday’ ‘Slate’

37. The main connection between the poems is that both poems see the positivity of the human spirit, although ‘Snack-bar also sees its suffering. S3 Scottish Text 'Trio' Finding Links... Morgan uses effective word choice and imagery in both poems to add realism. Both poems deal with encounters that Morgan has had in the city. In ‘Snack-bar’, he becomes fully involved in the scene by taking the man to the toilet. In ‘Trio’, he simply observes. Both poems accept the fact that human life involves suffering…however, both poems also see the positives. ‘Snack-bar’ in many ways celebrates the man’s persistence. ‘Trio’ celebrates the joy of family and friendship. 'Snack-bar' 'Trio'

38. S4 Scottish Text • Comparative Question (8 marks) • In this poem, Morgan takes an everyday, ordinary situation and transforms it into something special and thought-provoking. Choose another poem by him in which he does the same thing and explain how he adds significance to an ordinary event.

39. How do we tackle this question? • START YOUR ANSWER BY IDENTIFYING THE 2 (OR 3) POEMS YOU ARE COMPARING AND HOW THEY LINK TO THE QUESTION. • In both Trio and In The Snack Bar Morgan transforms everyday situations into significant ones. In Trio he uses people out Christmas shopping in Buchanan Street to express the joy of family and human generosity. In In The Snack Bar he uses an encounter with an old disabled man in a Glasgow café to explore the pain of human suffering and how little we do to help others. • In Trio he uses 3 people walking up a Glasgow street famous for shopping just before Christmas to explore the Christmas message – the positive side to human nature (quote and analyse). In In The Snack Bar he uses an old, disabled man in a Glasgow café who struggles to cope with his surroundings, ignored by others. Through this he explores the negative side to human nature – no-one seems to care or want to help him apart from the poet (quote and analyse). • As well as differences, both poets explore how human beings keep going despite the challenges they face. In Trio Christmas helps us cope with the challenges of the rest of the year (quote and analyse). In In The Snack Bar the old man continues to try to live his life and be part of society despite his disabilities (quote and analyse). • What evidence would you use from each poem to prove that he uses everyday situations to convey important themes? Evidence must be analysed (word choice, sentence structure, imagery, tone)

40. Example of quotation for how everyday experience transformed into greater message • Trio: • “laughter ringing round them like a guard” • The 3 people returning from Christmas shopping symbolise 3 wise men of Christmas story. In the simile above their happiness is described as a sentinel. As a guard protects you from harm, so does their joy and happiness protect them from harm. • This shows that the 3 shoppers are happy and protected by their togetherness. The everyday experience of Christmas shopping is changed into a message about human sharing and giving of gifts bringing joy and happiness.