Edwin Morgan

8 Mark Question

A comparing/contrast questionAsk you to discuss another poem(s) by the

same poet.

The question will select what it wants you to look at, it might be a common theme, an opening, an effective ending etc.

This can be:

Common themes Similar or contrasting beginnings/endingsALWAYS READ THE QUESTION

THOROUGHLY.

Look for:

Quickly establish a ‘real life’ setting Are instamatic – brief moments captured in time as

they unfoldUse present tense to give a sense of immediacy/

instantaneous. Involve a journey. Have characters that are observed by strangers and

who have a lasting impact on the narrator. Create a sensory experience for the reader. Use of caesura (pauses indicated by dashes,

exclamation marks etc)Both contain religious analogies. Both contain allusions to Greek mythology.

Similarities – ‘Snack Bar’ and ‘Trio’

‘Trio’ - The three wise men following the star on journey to Bethlehem with gifts for baby Jesus.

‘In the Snack Bar’ - Stranger and persecuted/ disabled man’s journey to toilet reminds us of the starnger who helped Jesus bear his cross on the road to Calvary – although this is more like a descent to hell than Heaven (however toilets are sparkling white)

Religious Allusions

‘Trio’ – “Orphean sprig!” – In Greek mythology Orphean was a poet and musician who had the power to move inanimate objects. He rescued his lover from hell in Greek legend.

‘In the Snack Bar’ - The reverse journey reminds us of the myth of Sisyphus: a sinner condemned in Tartarus (a Hell-like place in Greek mythology) to an eternity of rolling a boulder uphill then watching it roll back down again. Simple things for us are, to the old man like huge, heroic actions.

Greek Mythology

ADVICE on how to answer

TWO TYPES OF QUESTION

Example questions: With close textual reference, show how the ideas and/or

language used when presenting the theme of love in this poem are similar and/or different to the way love is explored in another poem or poems by Duffy.

Jackie Kay often explores relationships in her poems. Refer briefly to the central relationship in this poem and go on to discuss a central relationship in at least one other poem by Jackie Kay.

With close textual reference, discuss in what ways this poem is similar to another poem or poems by Morgan you have studied. You may refer to ideas and/or language in your answer.

Comparison

Choose another poem by Carol Ann Duffy which explores the theme of love. Show how the poet explores the theme in your chosen poem.

Visiting Hour is a deeply personal and emotional poem. Choose a similar poem by MacCaig and explain how he conveys strong emotions in that poem.

In this poem, Morgan takes an everyday, ordinary situation and transforms it into something special and thought-provoking. Choose another poem by him in which he does the same thing and explain how he adds significance to an ordinary event.

Another Poem(s) Questions

How to AnswerComparison Question Option 1

Identify what both poems have in common (2)

Quote from first comparative poem and explain how it links to question then explain use of techniques (2)

Quote from second poem and explain how it links to question then explain use of techniques (2)

Choose from third comparative poem and explain how it links to question then explain use of techniques (2)

OR

(or if you can’t think of third identify another feature, idea, technique that both have in common and quote and explain from each. (2)

Comparison Question Option 2

Identify an area of similarity and explain briefly how it is conveyed in each poem.

Support this point with evidence from first poem (from exam) and explain the technique and its effectiveness.

Support this point with evidence from the other poem of your choice and explain the technique and its effectiveness.

Repeat this process for another area of similarity.

Another Poem(s) Question (PEE X 4)

Identify a POINT that links to the question. Example Explain (2)

Identify a POINT that links to the question. Example Explain (2)

Identify a POINT that links to the question. Example Explain (2)

Identify a POINT that links to the question. Example Explain (2)

Another Poem Question (PEE x 4)

Comparison Questions

Candidates may choose to answer in bullet points in this final question, or write a number of linked statements. There is no requirement to write a “mini essay”.

Up to 2 marks can be achieved for identifying elements of commonality as identified in the question.

A further 2 marks can be achieved for reference to the extract given.

4 additional marks can be awarded for similar references to at least one other text/part of the text by the writer.

How to answer (from SQA Marking guidelines)

In practice this means:

Identification of commonality (2)

(eg: theme, central relationship, importance of setting, use of imagery, development in characterisation, use of personal experience, use of narrative style, or any other key element...)

From the extract1 x relevant reference to technique (1)1 x appropriate comment (1)

OR1 x relevant reference to idea (1)1 x appropriate comment (1)

OR 1 x relevant reference to feature (1)1 x appropriate comment (1)

OR 1 x relevant reference to text (1)1 x appropriate comment (1)

(maximum of 2 marks only for discussion of extract)

from at least one other text/part of the text:

as above (x 2) for up to 4 marks

‘In the Snack Bar’ explores important social issues. With close textual reference, discuss in what ways this poem is similar to another poem or poems by Morgan you have studied. You may refer to ideas and/or language in your answer.

Worked Comparison Question – Option 1

Step 1Mention the specific area of commonality and

include what poem(s) you will be discussing. (2 marks)

‘In the Snack Bar’ and ‘Good Friday’ by Edwin Morgan are both poems which explore the lack of concern society has for those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.

‘In the Snack Bar’ follows a severely disabled man in his attempt to navigate a Glaswegian snack bar, ignored by most around him.

‘Good Friday’ shows the lack of assurance even the narrator can give a man as he drunkenly asks about the nature of religion during Easter.

Snack Bar and Good Friday

Step 2Make a specific reference to the poem in front of you

(quote) and link to the question – mention techniques and effect. (2 marks)

In ‘In the Snack Bar’ Morgan portrays the infirm man who is mostly ignored by those around him. Only “a few heads turn” when the man knocks over a cup in his efforts to stand up.

Here, Morgan’s use of the contrast of the word “few” in the “crowded” snack bar emphasise the lack of notice or care the patrons have for the man, even in his “long blind, hunchback born, half-paralysed” state, as Morgan draws our attention to with his list of the man’s ailments later in the poem, clearly indicating how vulnerable and weak this man is.

Step 3Make a reference to another poem and link to the question

– again, mention techniques and their effect. (2 marks) In ‘Good Friday’, the man who “flops” down beside our narrator

is also vulnerable, in the sense that he is drunk during the day (“3pm”) and is self-conscious over his lack of education (“he’s jist bliddy ignorant”).

The repetition used in some of his questions, such as “ye understand – ye understand?” emphasise his need for understanding and acceptance from this stranger on a bus.

Morgan also uses parenthesis here to break up this line, indicating the man’s broken language due to his drunken state, as well as inferring that the narrator, and others he may address, have not given him the reassurance that he needs.

Step 4Make a reference to another poem and link to

the question – again, mention techniques and their effect. (2 marks)

Despite repeated questions from the man, such as “I’m no boring you, eh?”and “see what I mean?”, the narrator never appears to reply to him – unlike the narrator who actively helps the old man in ‘In the Snack Bar’.

The constant questions highlight the man’s need for reassurance, but in providing no response, Morgan highlights how society is willing to ignore the desire

Potential introduction (but not required) ‘In the Snack Bar’ and ‘Trio’ are both poems that establish

use techniques effectively to create setting, capture a moments in the present tense and involve a journey of the poem.

‘In the Snack Bar’ takes place in a crowded café, as an old, disabled man attempts to make his way to the downstairs toilet, amidst the ignorance of those around him. Moran uses this incident to make a comment on the apathy of society in relation to the vulnerable.

‘Trio’ observes the journey of three friends travelling through Buchannan Street at Christmas time under the Christmas lights, as they are observed by an unknown narrator who takes joy from the event.

Now You Try - Snack Bar and TrioOption 2

Both ‘In the Snack Bar’ and ‘Trio’ have a sense of immediacy through use of the present tense.

In the Snack Bar: “A cup capsizes along the formica” this makes the falling cup seem more urgent and allows the reader to feel involved in the action. The use of alliteration here helps us to picture the cup rolling and we can almost hear the hard ‘c’ sound, which grabs the readers attention. “Capsizes” make the action seem quite dramatic, although ironically nobody seems to care. This represents the lack of care that society has for what is happening around them, which is the point Morgan is making.

Similarly, in Trio: “Coming up Buchanan St” makes the reader seem involved as you feel as though you are there witnessing the bustling city centre crowds. We can relate to the setting as it is a well known, commercial street. The inverted word order places emphasis on ‘coming up’ depicting the action first and giving the sense that the trio are moving up through the street and are excited to be in this setting, as reinforced by the adverb ‘quickly.

Another technique that is used in the opening on In the Snack Bar and Trio is effective word choice to describe the setting. In In the Snack Bar…

Step 2 – Now you try…

Both poems also contain journey for each of the main characters. ‘In the Snack Bar’ depicts…

Choose Another Work Question

Present tense – sense of immediacy Word choice to evoke sensesImagery/word choice to convey happy

atmosphereColloquial word choice to convey sense of

excitement, make it relevant to readerUse of religious analogy. Use of caesura

Another Poem – Effective Opening

The first way in which the poem’s opening is effective is through the use of present tense: “A cup capsizes along the formica” this makes the falling cup seem more urgent and allows the reader to feel involved in the action. The use of alliteration here helps us to picture the cup rolling and we can almost hear the hard ‘c’ sound, which grabs the readers attention. “Capsizes” make the action seem quite dramatic, although ironically nobody seems to care. This represents the lack of care that society has for what is happening around them, which is the point Morgan is making.

You can PEE:

Morgan also uses imagery to capture the happiness of the trio:

“the three of them are laughing, their breath rises in a cloud of happiness…”

A metaphor is used here to compare the laughter to a cloud that surrounds the three. This shows that they are encompassed, enveloped in their joy and happiness and are surrounded by the moment. The word choice of “rises” also helps to show how uplifting their laughter is, contributing overall to the positive atmosphere.

Or bullet point if you prefer

Another way that Morgan makes the opening effective is through his use of word choice and imagery to make the scene vivid: “baby in its white shawl is all bright eyes and mouth like favours in a fresh sweet cake.” Here the words “white” and “bright” convey the wide-eyed innocence of the baby, white has connotations of the purity of the baby and the scene. The simile again indicates the happiness of the scene, as implied by “sweet” whereas “cakes” and treats are things associated with Christmas, again linking in with the overall uplifting atmossphere.

PEE

Another way that Morgan makes the opening effective is through the use of caesura:

“Orphean sprig! Melting baby! Warm chihuahua!”

Here the exclamation marks show the excitement and joy as these statements are proclaimed like declarations from olden times. It makes the reader pause and take note by showing that the narrator is overwhelmed with joy and wonder at the sight of the three.

Bullet Point

Present tense – sense of immediacy Word choice to evoke sensesImagery/word choice to depict character of

old man.Use of sentence structure to convey the old

man’s hesitation in asking for help.

You try and complete an example for ‘In the Snack Bar’.

Another Poem (‘In the Snack Bar’) – Effective Opening

The use of the dash to indicate the close of the parenthesis (illustrates that the moment has passed)

The use of brackets to indicate the prolonged effect of the impact of the trio.

The use of the simile to show the triumphant and protected the three are by their happiness and laughter.

The use of paradox “vanished in the crowd yet not vanished”

Another Poem (‘Trio’) – Effective Closing

End of the parenthesis that opens at the end of line 2 – “and the three have passed, vanished in the crowd.” The dashes enclose the whole encounter, effectively reminding us that it was just a single moment.(2)

The use of the word choice “passed”, reinforces the idea that this a fleeting moment. (2)

The paradox “vanished…not vanished” emphasises the lasting effect the brief meeting has on the writer : the trio’s noticeable warmth and happiness has left a lasting impression, even though they are physically out of sight, their presence remains in the narrator’s mind. (2)

The use of the word ‘ringing’ in the penultimate line alludes to Christmas bells and is a sound that lingers just like their happy image. (2)

Example: Bullet Point

The use of word choice to indicate the man’s reliance on strangers.

Use of imagery to convey the lasting impression that we have of the old man.

Illustrates idea of the apathy of society to the needs of the man.

Use of transferred epithet “blind hump” Effectiveness of closing line in conveying

man’s anguish and the implied futility of his life.

Another poem (‘In the Snack bar’) – Effective Ending

Good Luck!

Now you try!