Sunday Dip

Context

Romantic poet= emphasis on the natural world in the arts and literature. He was the son of a farm labourer, rural background, born into poverty, he had malnutrition and health issues. Sunday was the only holiday for kids who like Clare were labourers

structure

consistent AABB rhyme scheme - steady rhyme scheme helps to create a joyful atmosphere for the poem.

one stanza of 14 lines - the structure, rigid lines mimic the the routine of a weekly sunday dip

‘‘ sunday dip’’

sunday was known to be a day of rest and freedom as it was the only day children had to themselves in the working week, so it’s fitting for the boys to be ‘‘merry’’ as they look forward to the prospect of fun

‘‘ thronged with merry boys’’

excitement and anticipiation is immediately insinuated at the onset of the poem. ‘‘ thronged denotes a busy community/congregation as well as hastiness. ‘‘ merry’’ elevates the energy and eagerness

‘‘ seek, run, wade,dance’’

the use of these dynamic verbs shows their eagerness to indulge in their sunday dip, creates a semantic field that reinforces the buoyancy and the adulation that the boys feel towards the lake

‘‘ try to lose their fears’’

we initially gain the impression that the boys are intimidated by the depth of the water which generates a feeling of fearful anticipation within us readers

‘‘ and laugh to hear the thunder in the ears’’

the verb ‘‘laugh’ is synonymous with merriment, which contrasts the typically ominous tone of thunder.

perhaps clare includes the fact that the boys are laughing at the thunder to emphasise their care free and untroubled nature and how nature brings comfort, alternatively thunder can be interpreted as a metaophor for the excited beating of the boys’ hearts

‘‘ beneath the willow trees’’

nature as a protective force

poem to compare to nature

clear and gentle stream

poem to compare to childhood

clear and gentle poem