Last Minute Revision

1. Last Minute Revision Scottish Text Practice (Tomorrow!)

2. We are learning to: • Consolidate our knowledge of Memorial and Visiting Hour • Prepare for our Scottish Text practice

3. Homework – Memorial final question • For homework, I asked that you answered the final question on Memorial. • We are going to mark these together to see how we did. • If you were absent, please look on with another so you can see how it is marked.

4. Similarities • Fundamentally and obviously, both poems deal with the death (one imminent and one (recently?) past), of a loved one and the emotions which such a situation engenders. • In both poems all verbs are in present tense with the exception of “died” (which may be dealt with under differences) in the third stanza of Memorial: this reflects the immediacy of the strength of MacCaig’s feelings in both situations • Both poems use repetition to reflect the intensity of the emotions felt: “Everywhere she dies. Everywhere…she dies” and “No…no…no…” in Memorial; “I will not feel, I will not feel” and “so much…so many…so many…” in Visiting Hour

5. Word choice: MacCaig uses the word “distance” in both poems to refer to something which now lies between the two people. The paradox of using a physical dimension to quantify an abstract quality serves to show how difficult MacCaig finds this barrier to overcome. • Both poems use oxymoron to highlight MacCaig’s difficulty in coming to terms with his situation; more particularly, he repeats a word but adds the negating suffix “-less” (“fruitless fruits” in Visiting Hour and “sound of soundlessness” in Memorial to make the device appear awkward to mirror his own frame of mind at a time of severely heightened emotion. • In neither poem is the person who is the subject named or the nature of the relationship explained. Each specific reference is marked only by the use of feminine pronouns.

6. Differences • The most obvious difference between the two poems is that there is lightness in Visiting Hour. The comic effect of the synecdochic image of disembodied nostrils in the first stanza is reinforced by “bobbing”, which suggests moving in a light-hearted manner. The mood in Memorial is lifted rather less strongly by the images of nature in the first half of the middle stanza and, though there is reference to “laughter”, it is only to negate the concept by referring to how it is stifled. • The single past tense verb “died” in Memorial demonstrates that MacCaig is dealing with a death that has already taken place: this may explain the fact that the lightness which is a feature, however minor, of Visiting Hour is completely absent here. • Other characters (“what seems a corpse” and the nurses) are referred to in Visiting Hour but none in Memorial: this reflects that the intensity of emotion in Memorial is between the two only and not to be shared.

7. Hints and Tips for Tomorrow!

8. Quotations! • You need to be confident with your quotations. • Only one poem will be printed and you cannot guess and hope for the best. • Ensure you are reading over your poems and that you are confident!

9. Annotations • Review your annotated poems. • If you were absent, you have been reminded to catch-up! • All the materials are on the wiki plus there are invaluable resources on the BBC National 5 website.

10. Marks Available • Remember to check how much each question if worth. • 2 marks – if it asks for a quote – then 1 quote / example + detailed analysis • 4 marks - 2 quotes / examples + 2 detailed examples of analysis. • You will know a quote is required if it says “Provide evidence / Justify your opinion / With reference to the text.”

11. Analysis of techniques • Remember when analysing you must: • Identify what techniques are being used • Why are they effective? • What do they makes us think about the poet / character / theme etc • Do not vaguely describe a quote. You need to be exact! • Think denotation and connotation!

12. Poet’s Feelings / Attitude • Remember to revise how the poet feels about the: • Nurses (VH) • Patient (VH) • The “corpse” (VH) • His dead relative (M) • Be sure you can explain how he conveys his feelings through his use of techniques

13. Use of Imagery • Revise the images used in both poems. • What techniques are used? • What are the literal meanings (denotation)? • What are the connotations? • How do they link to the themes of death / grief / hopelessness etc.?

14. Good Opening / Ending • If you are asked about the opening or ending of the poem: • Analyse the section of the poem you are given • How does it highlight the themes of the poem? • How does it convey the message? • Does it sum up the poem? • Does it introduce what it is about?

15. The final question • Structure! • Very brief introduction that refers to the question • 3-4 paragraphs Main body (Each paragraph can look at a different technique / use of imagery / use of emotions / feelings etc.) • Very brief conclusion that refers to the question • Be aware – some of these questions ask you to COMPARE while others do not. Read the question carefully!