Grade 11 Poetry Exam Review

These flashcards cover key concepts, themes, and literary devices from the Grade 11 Poetry Source Pack, focused on 'For Oom Piet', 'Mirror', and 'Remember'.

What poetic form does 'For Oom Piet' use, and what does it mirror?

Free verse, mirroring the natural flow of conversation and memory.

How does enjambment contribute to the poem's theme in 'For Oom Piet'?

It allows the poem to flow smoothly, emphasizing the emotional connection between the speaker and Oom Piet, and reinforcing the theme of unexpected kindness.

What does the repetition of 'You' in stanza 2 signify?

It creates an anaphora that emphasizes Oom Piet's presence and actions, highlighting his compassionate role.

What character traits are revealed through Oom Piet's direct words in the poem?

Oom Piet's words show warmth, generosity, and thoughtfulness, indicating his affection and care.

What is the effect of the dashes in line 19 of 'For Oom Piet'?

The dashes create parenthesis, reinforcing the memory-like quality of the poem.

What do the ducks symbolize in regard to Oom Piet's character?

They symbolize Oom Piet's nurturing and guiding nature, positioning him as a kind and reliable figure.

How does the shift from 'you' to 'I' and 'we' impact the reader in stanza 4?

It signifies the personal bond between the speaker and Oom Piet, highlighting their shared experience and the lasting impact of his kindness.

What makes the poem’s final line ambiguous?

It is unclear who is rescuing whom, indicating mutual salvation between the speaker and Oom Piet.

What literary device is introduced in the title and line 1 of 'Mirror'?

Personification, as the mirror is given a voice and perspective.

What do the words 'silver' and 'exact' suggest about the mirror in Sylvia Plath's poem?

They reinforce the mirror's objectivity and truthfulness as an unyielding, impartial truth-teller.

How does the diction and caesura in line 1 of 'Mirror' contribute to the tone?

The diction and caesura create a detached and clinical tone, enhancing the blunt certainty of the mirror's statement.

What does 'unmisted' convey in the context of 'Mirror'?

It suggests a clear, unclouded reflection, forcing a true self-examination without distortion.

What statement does Plath make with the imagery of 'candle' and 'the moon'?

She critiques the human desire to avoid uncomfortable truths about aging and self-perception.

What emotional reaction does the woman have towards aging in 'Mirror'?

Her reaction of tears and agitation signifies deep anxiety and despair about the changes in herself.

How does the structure of 'Mirror' reflect its central concern about aging?

The free verse and lack of regular rhyme emphasize the lack of control and the relentless passage of time.

What is captured by the reversed order in 'forever strangers' at the poem's end?

It highlights the finality of estrangement, suggesting separation is a definitive state.

What effect do euphemisms have on the mood of Rossetti's 'Remember'?

They create a gentle, melancholic mood, fostering an atmosphere of quiet acceptance rather than despair.

What does the volta in Rossetti's poem signify?

It shifts from a plea for remembrance to a selfless acceptance of being forgotten for the sake of a loved one's happiness.

How does the juxtaposition in 'Remember' reflect the speaker's internal conflict?

It contrasts the desire to be remembered with the willingness to be forgotten, highlighting the tension between love and letting go.