Walking Away

Who wrote it

Cecil Day-Lewis

What is are 2 pieces of context

the poem was dedicated to his first son
his father was a chaplin in the irish church

What is special about the rhyme scheme

ABACA
Rhyme scheme is consistent throughout the poem which reflects the fathers consistent love for the son
A every other line reflects how the events of that day have stuck and effected him years later

What is special about the first person

first person
emphasise how poem is based on personal experience

What is important about the use of enjambemt and ceasura

the use of enjambment and ceasura create a conversational tone adding to the personal tone and uthenticity of the poem.

What are the similrities and differences between Mother any distance

Similarities
Letting a child go
Final lines conclude reflection
Difference
WA from fathers perspective but MAD from child
use of biblical imagery in WA but in MAD is variation

What is the 1st key quote and analysis ?

“touch - lines new - ruled”

* the hypens in the middle of the words mirror the new distance created between the father and his son and how his sin is growing up and possibly apart
* the metaphot symbolises the new boundaries that are set for the father
* highlights the growing independance of the son, he doesnt need his father as much anymore

What is the second key quote and analysis ?

“like a satelitte wrench from its orbit, go drifting away”

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* space imagery to show how there has been a change to the norm a shift it what was happening hence the change in orbit


* wrenched - he believes he has been taking against his will and forcefully unwillingly as he believes he iis not ready
* simile the son is leaving his stability aka his father and they are growing apart and gaining independence

What is the 3rd key quote and analysis

"half fledged"

* a young bird that doesn't have all of its adult feathers aka unable to fly
* metaphor for fathers concern that the son is not ready

What is the fourth key quote and analysis

"gnaws at my mind still"

* still affects the fathers thinking after all these years whihc shows how much this effected and meant to him
* gnaws - painful verb to convey the intensity of the experience
* still - attempts to forget about it have been unsuccessful

What is the 5th quote and analysis

"saying what God alone could perfectly show"

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* God let go of his son jesus proving that this is the right thing for him to do


* Only God could do it perfectly, meanwhile he is still struggling to come to acceptance with what has happened
* links to him coming from a christian background

What is the final key quote and analysis

"love is proved in the letting go"

* the father understands and accepts that this is what needs to happen in order for his child thrive and blossom no matter how painful it may be for him
* this is the way he can show his love to his son without upsetting him, he has to follow what his son wants even if tis painful to him