‘Long Distance II‘ By Tony Harrison  Fragility and

Impermanence of Life
- Meredithian sonnet
- Compact Structure  Exploring the emotions of grief and longing within a limited
space
- First-person  Intimate
- Containment and controlled reaction amid emotional turmoil
- No consistent rhyme scheme or meter  More organic and natural expression of the
speaker’s thoughts
- Past to Present Tense ( Last stanza )
- Absence of rhyme scheme and metrical pattern  Natural and unpredictable flow of
life. More emotionally engaging as it is not bound by a rigid meter of some sort.

Death :

W1: Tangible Impact of death on everyday routines, highlighting the void caused by the
mother
H1: Vivid Sensory Imagery
Y1: Evokes a sense of empathy as a poignant image is created resonating with readers having
experienced similar moments of grief in their life. Allows an emotional connection.

W2: Discrepancy between the father’s action and the reality of the mother’s absence,
underscoring the profound emotional impact of the death
H2: Juxtaposition and Contrast: “ Raw love “  “ Crime “
Y2: Readers contemplate the complexities of grief and the societal expectations surrounding
the process of letting go.

W3: Finality and Separation of Death

H3: Rusted Lock  Symbolism
Y3: Resonates with readers by conveying a universal experience of longing for a connection,
that no longer can be fulfilled.

Themes  Mortality , Acceptance , Longing , Connection , Absence , Loss , Grief ,

Memory , Remembrance.

1. Repetition:
• Technique used: The repetition of the phrase "her/his [object or action]" in each
stanza.
• Why has it been used: The repetition emphasizes the father's consistent actions
and routines despite the mother's absence, highlighting his enduring love and
connection to her.
• Effect: It creates a sense of ritual and routine, underscoring the father's efforts
to maintain a connection with the deceased and conveying the theme of longing and
remembrance.
• Reinforcement of the message: The repetition reinforces the idea that the
father's love transcends death, highlighting the depth of his emotions and his struggle
to let go.

2. Enjambment:
• Technique used: Enjambment is present throughout the poem, with sentences
or phrases continuing without a pause at the end of a line.
• Why has it been used: Enjambment creates a sense of fluidity and uninterrupted
flow, mirroring the speaker's stream of consciousness and emotional turmoil.
• Effect: It enhances the conversational tone of the poem and immerses the
reader in the speaker's thoughts and emotions, lending a sense of immediacy and
authenticity.
• Reinforcement of the message: The enjambment contributes to the raw and
personal nature of the poem, reinforcing the intensity of the speaker's experiences and
their reflections on death and grief.

3. Metaphor:
• Technique used: The metaphor "scrape in the rusted lock" (Stanza 3).
• Why has it been used: The metaphor suggests the anticipation and longing for
the mother's return, despite the reality of her absence.
• Effect: It adds depth and visual imagery to the poem, evoking a sense of hope
and the speaker's unwillingness to fully accept the mother's death.
• Reinforcement of the message: The metaphor emphasizes the speaker's struggle
with disbelief and their clinging to the belief that the mother will come back,
highlighting the theme of denial and the enduring impact of loss.

4. Contrast:
• Technique used: The contrast between the father's actions and the speaker's
belief about life and death.
• Why has it been used: The contrast highlights the different ways individuals
cope with grief and come to terms with death.
• Effect: It creates tension and adds complexity to the poem, showcasing the
divergent perspectives within the same family and illustrating the multifaceted nature
of grief.
• Reinforcement of the message: The contrast reinforces the theme of acceptance
versus denial, underscoring the speaker's perspective on the finality of death and their
struggle to reconcile it with the father's actions.

5. Symbolism:
• Technique used: The disconnected phone number in the speaker's black leather
phone book (Stanza 4).
• Why has it been used: The disconnected phone number symbolizes the longing
for connection with the deceased and the inability to let go.
• Effect: It adds a poignant and tangible symbol of the speaker's grief and
yearning for the mother, creating a strong emotional impact.
• Reinforcement of the message: The symbolism reinforces the theme of longing
and the enduring emotional bond with the deceased, highlighting the speaker's
ongoing struggle to accept the mother's absence and move on.
 6. Anaphora:
• Technique used: The repetition of the phrase "You haven't" at the beginning of
lines in Stanza 4.
• Why has it been used: Anaphora creates a rhythmic pattern and emphasizes a
particular idea or sentiment.
• Effect: It draws attention to the speaker's assertion that life ends with death,
reinforcing their belief and giving it a sense of authority.
• Reinforcement of the message: The repetition of "You haven't" emphasizes the
speaker's conviction about the finality of death, underscoring the theme of mortality
and providing a contemplative tone.

7. Irony:
• Technique used: The irony in the line "and the disconnected number I still call"
(Stanza 4).
• Why has it been used: Irony creates a contrast between what is expected or
intended and what actually occurs, adding depth and complexity to the poem.
• Effect: It generates a sense of sadness and irony in the speaker's continued
attempt to reach out to the disconnected number, highlighting the futile longing for
connection.
• Reinforcement of the message: The irony underscores the theme of longing and
the speaker's difficulty in accepting the reality of the mother's absence, intensifying
the emotional impact and evoking empathy from the reader.

‘ He Never Expected Much ‘ by Thomas Hardy

- Introspective lyric poem
- Free verse / Irregular stanzaic structure  Allows the speaker to convey their
contemplative musings and observations without the constraints of a rigid structure.
- Past Tense / First person
- No strict rhythm or meter

"Well, World, you have kept faith with me,"

2. Literal meaning: The speaker addresses the world, expressing gratitude and
acknowledging that the world has remained faithful or consistent in some way.
3. Figurative meaning: The world is personified, symbolizing the experiences and
circumstances encountered throughout the speaker's life.
4. Effect: This line establishes a sense of familiarity and intimacy between the
speaker and the world. It sets the tone for a reflective conversation between the
speaker and their experiences.

"Kept faith with me;"

5. Literal meaning: The world has remained true or reliable to the speaker.
6. Figurative meaning: The world has stayed consistent and predictable,
conforming to the speaker's expectations or observations.
7. Effect: This repetition reinforces the idea that the world has remained faithful,
underscoring the speaker's trust and reliance on the world's consistency.

"Upon the whole you have proved to be"

8. Literal meaning: Overall, the world has demonstrated a certain quality or
characteristic.
9. Figurative meaning: The world has proven to be as the speaker perceived or
understood it to be.
10. Effect: This line signals that the speaker is evaluating the world's impact on
their life and sets the stage for the following reflection on the speaker's expectations.

"Much as you said you were."

11. Literal meaning: The world has aligned with the way it was described or
characterized.
12. Figurative meaning: The world's nature, as perceived by the speaker, has been
consistent with their initial understanding or expectations.
13. Effect: This line emphasizes the speaker's acknowledgment that their
expectations of the world have been met, reinforcing the sense of consistency and
reliability.

"Since as a child I used to lie"

14. Literal meaning: From childhood onward, the speaker would lie down or rest in
a specific position.
15. Figurative meaning: The speaker recalls a specific memory or experience from
their childhood, establishing a sense of nostalgia and innocence.
16. Effect: This line introduces a personal memory that reflects the speaker's
vulnerability and openness to the world's influence.

"Upon the leaze and watch the sky,"

17. Literal meaning: The speaker would lie on the leaze (grassy land) and observe
the sky.
18. Figurative meaning: The speaker would engage in quiet contemplation and
observe the vastness and beauty of the world.
19. Effect: The image of lying on the leaze and gazing at the sky evokes a sense of
tranquility and wonder, creating a vivid and serene setting for the speaker's
introspection.

"Never, I own, expected I"

20. Literal meaning: The speaker confesses that they never held certain
expectations.
21. Figurative meaning: The speaker admits to not having anticipated particular
outcomes or an idealized version of life.
22. Effect: This line establishes the speaker's modest or realistic mindset,
highlighting their acknowledgment of the limitations and uncertainties of life.
"That life would all be fair."
23. Literal meaning: The speaker did not expect life to be entirely just or equitable.
24. Figurative meaning: The speaker acknowledges that life does not always
conform to notions of fairness or balance.
25. Effect: This line underscores the speaker's understanding of life's imperfections
and sets the stage for their reflections on navigating the challenges that arise.

"'Twas then you said, and since have said,"

26. Literal meaning: The world spoke at that time, and its message has been
reiterated since then.
27. Figurative meaning: The world has communicated a message or wisdom that
continues to be emphasized over time.
28. Effect: This line establishes the continuity and importance of the world's
message. It suggests that the world imparts timeless wisdom or guidance, influencing
the speaker's perception of life.

"Times since have said,"

29. Literal meaning: The message has been repeated on various occasions.
30. Figurative meaning: The world has consistently emphasized or reaffirmed its
message.
31. Effect: The repetition of the message emphasizes its significance and reinforces
the idea that the world's teachings are consistent and enduring. It underscores the
lasting impact of the world's words on the speaker's understanding.

"In that mysterious voice you shed"

32. Literal meaning: The world expresses its message in a mysterious or enigmatic
voice.
33. Figurative meaning: The world's message carries an air of intrigue or mystery.
34. Effect: This line adds an element of mystique and captivation to the world's
communication. It captures the reader's attention and creates a sense of wonder or
curiosity about the nature of the world's teachings.

"From clouds and hills around:"

35. Literal meaning: The voice of the world seems to emanate from the
surrounding clouds and hills.
36. Figurative meaning: The world's message appears to originate from the natural
elements of clouds and hills, symbolizing its universal presence.
37. Effect: By connecting the world's voice to nature, the poet evokes a sense of
grandeur and spiritual connectedness. It enhances the impact and authority of the
world's teachings, highlighting their cosmic significance.

"Many have loved me desperately,"

38. Literal meaning: Many people have loved the world with intense passion or
desperation.
39. Figurative meaning: Individuals have deeply connected with and cherished
their experiences of the world.
40. Effect: The use of the word "desperately" conveys the profound emotional
attachment people have towards the world. It highlights the intense yearning and
longing that can arise from the human connection to the world.

"Many with smooth serenity,"

41. Literal meaning: Many individuals have loved the world with a calm and
peaceful serenity.
42. Figurative meaning: People have experienced a tranquil and contented love for
the world.
43. Effect: This line presents an alternative emotional response to the world,
contrasting with the previous line. It showcases the range of emotional experiences
and relationships people have with the world, adding depth and complexity to their
connections.

"While some have shown contempt of me"

44. Literal meaning: Some individuals have expressed contempt or disdain towards
the world.
45. Figurative meaning: Certain people have held negative attitudes or rejected
their experiences of the world.
46. Effect: This line introduces a sense of conflict or opposition. It acknowledges
that not everyone will appreciate or embrace the world's teachings or experiences. It
highlights the diversity of responses and attitudes people have towards the world.

"Till they dropped underground."

47. Literal meaning: Those who held contempt towards the world eventually died.
48. Figurative meaning: Individuals who rejected or held negative attitudes
towards the world passed away.
49. Effect: This line suggests a sense of consequence or finality for those who held
negative attitudes towards the world. It reflects on the transient nature of life and
implies that such negative perspectives may be ultimately overcome or transformed
through mortality.

"I do not promise overmuch,"

50. Literal meaning: The world does not offer excessive promises or guarantees.
51. Figurative meaning: The world does not assure an abundance of favorable
outcomes or rewards.
52. Effect: This line sets the tone for the world's realistic and tempered perspective.
It suggests a sense of moderation and caution in the world's message.

53. "Child; overmuch;"

54. Literal meaning: The world addresses the speaker as a child, emphasizing their
vulnerability or naivety.
55. Figurative meaning: The world acknowledges the speaker's youthful innocence
or lack of experience.
56. Effect: The direct address adds a personal and intimate tone, deepening the
connection between the world and the speaker. The repetition of "overmuch"
emphasizes the cautious nature of the world's message.

"Just neutral-tinted haps and such,"

57. Literal meaning: The world offers experiences and events that are mostly
neutral or lacking strong coloration.
58. Figurative meaning: The world presents a range of ordinary and unremarkable
occurrences.
59. Effect: The phrase "neutral-tinted haps" suggests a lack of extreme highs or
lows in life. It conveys the idea that the world's offerings are neither overwhelmingly
positive nor excessively negative.

"You said to minds like mine."

60. Literal meaning: The world directed its message to minds similar to the
speaker's.
61. Figurative meaning: The world's message is particularly relevant to individuals
with a similar perspective or temperament.
62. Effect: This line emphasizes the personal connection between the world's
message and the speaker's own mindset. It implies that the speaker's thoughts and
beliefs align with the world's teachings.

"Wise warning for your credit's sake!"

63. Literal meaning: The world's cautionary advice is meant to protect its own
reputation or credibility.
64. Figurative meaning: The world's warning is given to ensure its own
trustworthiness or reliability.
65. Effect: The phrase "for your credit's sake" introduces a motive for the world's
warning, suggesting that it wants to maintain its integrity. It adds a sense of
responsibility or duty to the world's guidance.

"Which I for one failed not to take,"

66. Literal meaning: The speaker did not ignore or neglect the world's warning.
67. Figurative meaning: The speaker heeded and embraced the world's cautionary
advice.
68. Effect: This line highlights the speaker's attentiveness and willingness to accept
the world's wisdom. It establishes the speaker's receptive attitude towards life's
challenges.

"And hence could stem such strain and ache"

69. Literal meaning: By following the world's warning, the speaker was able to
manage or endure difficulties and emotional pain.
70. Figurative meaning: The speaker's adherence to the world's advice enabled
them to cope with the challenges that arose.
71. Effect: The phrase "stem such strain and ache" conveys the speaker's ability to
withstand and manage the hardships of life. It suggests a sense of resilience and inner
strength.

"As each year might assign."

72. Literal meaning: The strain and ache faced by the speaker were assigned or
presented by each passing year.
73. Figurative meaning: Life brings its own set of challenges and hardships over
time.
74. Effect: This line acknowledges the cyclical nature of life's struggles. It
emphasizes the inevitability of facing difficulties and demonstrates the speaker's
preparedness to confront them.

75. Realism and Moderation: The poet encourages readers to approach life with
realistic expectations and a balanced perspective. The world's message of "Just
neutral-tinted haps and such" suggests that life is a mixture of ordinary experiences
without excessive highs or lows. The message prompts readers to avoid idealized
notions and embrace the inherent ups and downs of life.
76. Acceptance of Life's Challenges: The poet emphasizes the importance of
accepting and enduring the strain and ache that each year may bring. By following the
world's cautionary advice, the speaker is able to stem the difficulties that come their
way. This message encourages readers to develop resilience and inner strength to face
life's challenges head-on.
77. Wisdom from Experience: The world's repeated messages and its wise warning
convey the idea that there is wisdom to be gained from life's experiences. By paying
attention to the world's teachings, the speaker has been able to navigate the
complexities of life. This suggests that readers can learn from their own experiences
and those of others to shape their perspectives and responses.
78. Individual Responses to the World: The poet highlights the diverse ways in
which individuals respond to the world's teachings. Some love the world desperately,
while others embrace it with serenity. Additionally, some show contempt or reject the
world altogether. This conveys the message that people have different attitudes and
perspectives, and it encourages readers to reflect on their own relationship with the
world.

Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden

- Elegy
- The compactness of line and stanza creates a sense of concentration emotion and
emphasis on the need for unity in the face of such adversity
- Past tense
- Loose iambic pentameter
"Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,"
79. Literal meaning: The speaker commands to halt the passage of time and
disconnect communication.
80. Figurative meaning: The speaker wants the world to pause and acknowledge
the gravity of the loss.
81. Effect: The hyperbolic language creates a sense of urgency and highlights the
speaker's overwhelming grief. The repetition of the "o" sound in "stop," "clocks," and
"telephone" adds a somber tone.

"Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,"

82. Literal meaning: The speaker desires to silence the dog.
83. Figurative meaning: The dog's barking symbolizes the interruption or
disturbance of normal life.
84. Effect: The image of a dog being silenced with a bone creates a sense of
quietude and stillness. It emphasizes the need for solemnity and silence during the
mourning process.

"Silence the pianos and with muffled drum"

85. Literal meaning: The speaker requests the cessation of piano music and the use
of a muted drum.
86. Figurative meaning: The pianos and drum symbolize the cessation of joyful
and celebratory sounds.
87. Effect: The choice of instruments creates a funeral-like atmosphere. The use of
the word "muffled" suggests a subdued and mournful tone, intensifying the sense of
loss and sorrow.

"Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come."

88. Literal meaning: The speaker asks for the coffin to be brought out and for
mourners to gather.
89. Figurative meaning: The coffin represents the physical presence of the
deceased, while the mourners symbolize the expression of grief.
90. Effect: This line emphasizes the ritualistic aspect of a funeral and the
communal nature of mourning. It underscores the need for collective acknowledgment
and support during times of loss.

"Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead"

91. Literal meaning: The speaker envisions airplanes circling overhead, emitting
mournful sounds.
92. Figurative meaning: The airplanes represent a world indifferent to the speaker's
grief.
93. Effect: The juxtaposition of the mechanical noise of airplanes with the
emotional tone of mourning adds a sense of contrast and detachment. The airplanes
serve as a reminder of the world's continued functioning despite personal loss.

"Scribbling on the sky the message 'He is Dead'."

94. Literal meaning: The speaker imagines a message written across the sky
announcing the death.
95. Figurative meaning: The message on the sky symbolizes the public
acknowledgement of the loss.
96. Effect: The imagery of the sky being used as a canvas to convey the news of
death amplifies the significance of the loss. It suggests the universality and
inescapable nature of death.

"Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,"
97. Literal meaning: The speaker suggests adorning doves with mourning symbols.
98. Figurative meaning: The doves symbolize peace and purity, while the crepe
bows represent mourning.
99. Effect: The juxtaposition of mourning symbols on gentle doves creates a
contrast between innocence and grief. It highlights the pervasiveness of loss and the
need for mourning even in the midst of tranquility.

"Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves."

100. Literal meaning: The speaker proposes that traffic policemen wear gloves made
of black cotton.
101. Figurative meaning: The black gloves signify mourning and respect for the
deceased.
102. Effect: This line portrays a society collectively affected by the loss. The image
of traffic policemen, typically associated with order and regulation, wearing gloves of
mourning adds to the solemnity and emphasizes the impact

"He was my North, my South, my East and West,"

103. Literal meaning: The speaker describes the deceased as their entire world,
guiding them in every direction.
104. Figurative meaning: The deceased was the speaker's source of guidance, love,
and stability.
105. Effect: This line emphasizes the profound significance of the relationship
between the speaker and the deceased. The use of cardinal directions as metaphors
showcases the all-encompassing nature of their connection.

"My working week and my Sunday rest,"

106. Literal meaning: The deceased was present in every aspect of the speaker's life,
both during work and leisure.
107. Figurative meaning: The deceased provided purpose, fulfillment, and relaxation
to the speaker's life.
108. Effect: This line further emphasizes the all-encompassing presence of the
deceased. It suggests that their absence leaves a void in the speaker's daily existence.

"My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;"

109. Literal meaning: The deceased was present throughout the day, in
conversations and music.
110. Figurative meaning: The deceased brought joy, companionship, and emotional
support.
Effect: The repetition of possessive pronouns intensifies the emotional attachment and
dependence on the deceased. It showcases the depth of the speaker's grief and the
extent to which they relied on the presence of the departed.

"I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong."

110. Literal meaning: The speaker believed that their love and the relationship
would endure indefinitely, but they were mistaken.
111. Figurative meaning: The line reflects the speaker's realization that even the
deepest love can be transient.
112. Effect: This line conveys a profound sense of loss and shattered expectations. It
captures the devastation experienced when a love that was believed to be eternal
comes to an end.

"The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,"
113. Literal meaning: The stars, typically associated with beauty and wonder, are no
longer desired or valued.
114. Figurative meaning: The stars symbolize the loss of light, hope, and joy in the
absence of the deceased.
115. Effect: The image of extinguishing stars adds to the sense of darkness and
despair. It represents the speaker's loss of interest in the world and the fading of their
own inner light.

"Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,"

116. Literal meaning: The speaker wants the moon and the sun, celestial symbols of
light and life, to be taken away or destroyed.
117. Figurative meaning: The request signifies the removal of all sources of
illumination and vitality.
118. Effect: This line intensifies the feelings of desolation and hopelessness. It
conveys the extent of the speaker's grief by suggesting that the very elements of nature
that bring light and life are meaningless without the presence of the deceased.

"Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;"

119. Literal meaning: The speaker metaphorically asks to drain the ocean and clean
up the forest floor.
120. Figurative meaning: The speaker desires to erase the natural elements and
landscapes associated with life and renewal.
121. Effect: This extreme imagery accentuates the depth of the speaker's despair and
desire for the world to reflect their inner turmoil. It suggests a longing for a complete
transformation or obliteration of the familiar world in the wake of loss.

"For nothing now can ever come to any good."

122. Literal meaning: The speaker declares that nothing good or meaningful can
exist anymore.
123. Figurative meaning: The line expresses a sense of hopelessness and the belief
that all joy and goodness have been extinguished.
124. Effect: This concluding line encapsulates the overwhelming grief and loss felt
by the speaker. It reinforces the profound impact of the death

Considering the contextual knowledge, the poem was written during a time of
social and political unrest, including the outbreak of World War II. This
historical context may influence interpretations of the poem. Some may interpret
it as a reflection on the devastation and loss experienced during times of turmoil,
while others may see it as a more personal exploration of grief within the broader
historical context.