Sounds Of The Day

Question 1

Key themes of Sounds of The Day

Answer 1

Nature 
Regret 
Loss 
Love
Isolation

Question 2

STANZA 1

” When a clatter came it was horses crossing the ford “

Answer 2

The use of clatter stresses the noisy sound of the horses crossing shallow river/stream.

Question 3

STANZA 1

” When the air creaked, it was a lapwing seeing us off his private marsh “

Answer 3

The lapwing (bird) is being compared to a bodyguard quietly trying to get them off its land. Nature is not so friendly, doesn’t want us there.

Question 4

STANZA 1

” When black drums rolled it was water falling sixty feet into itself “

Answer 4

’ black drums rolling ‘-foreshadowing dark tone and mood to come. Onomatopoeia-storm is brewing. Suggestion of what’s to come next. Violence of the waterfall

Question 5

STANZA 2

” When the door scraped shut

Answer 5

Metaphor for end of relationship ~ barrier can’t be crossed. Turning point from lots of noise to silence.
‘scraped’ is the final sound which is harsh ~ connotations of pain and hurt.

Question 6

STANZA 2

” it was the end of all the sounds there are “

Answer 6

Sense of despair and pain that follows a parting. Idea that nothing will be the same again. Significance of the moment. Separation causes poet to be isolated from those sounds. He has become deaf to the world.

Question 7

STANZA 3

” You left me “

Answer 7

Highlights accusation. Moved to feelings and emotion.

Question 8

STANZA 3

” beside the quietest fire in the world “

Answer 8

Hyperbole. In his world he feels extreme pain from the parting. Paradox-being alone is supposed to make you hear more not less however this is not the case for poet. Loss of relationship has taken all the sounds and happiness from his life.

Question 9

STANZA 4

” I thought I was hurt in my pride only “

Answer 9

The poets pride is hurt but much deeper. He feels a deep, emotional pain.

Question 10

STANZA 4

” when you plunge your hand in freezing water “

Answer 10

Emphasises the suddenness of the parting.

Question 11

STANZA 4

” You feel a bangle of ice round your wrist before the whole hand goes numb “

Answer 11

Raw feeling of grief that poet can’t get rid of. Focus of poem moves from sound to touch. Emotional pain still lies. Pain will still last longer after numbness. Complexity of emotions after parting