This is a submission for unseen poetry for Leaving Cert Higher Level 2024 with lots of learning points highlighted in text below. Credit: Robert Fenlon. You may also like: Complete Guide to Leaving Cert English.
(a) Yes I think the writer uses tone very effectively in the poem. In the beginning the tone is playful and full of excitement “He comes flat-packed, a gift for my eighteenth”. He makes a statement then the poem speeds up as he describes what is happening. “At first he comes together easily: slippered left foot clicks into the ankle..”. (Misquote removed. Try to be clearer – use the term “the speaker” instead of he. For example, instead of “He makes a statement then the poem speeds up as he describes what is happening”, you could say, “The speaker opens the poem with a statement, however the pace quickly accelerates as he describes their activities, ‘We tip the bits out on the living room carpet…'”). Then near the end of the poem it slows down. He realises he cannot compare to his grandfathers accomplishments. The comfort he has is prevalent through his own appearance: “a pale-faced boy by an electric fire”. Insecurity starts to set in and he becomes hesitant: “”Stop. What will he make of me?” (It’s worth remarking on the humour in the tone which somewhat abruptly changes to morbid and stoic with references to WWI. You’re leaving a lot on the table if you don’t try to pick up on this. Don’t ignore the title and don’t forget to comment on the style in any unseen poetry Leaving Cert answer – it’s not a particularly structured poem with few conventional poetic techniques. Comment on the significance of this.)
(b) In my view the grandfather seemed to be an extremely hard working man. He had a gammy knee from overworking himself: “It was always gammy from 12 hour shifts”. He’s also brave and resilient since he survived the war: “I fit the lungs, pumping in mustard gas of every breath he took in 1918.” He’s also damaged though and cares deeply about his loved ones: “Something seems missing from the heart, it’s probably for the old mans brother who didn’t make it back.” He’s a hardworking man who’s been through a lot. (The second part is better. Try to have a very short intro and concluding sentence for each part of your unseen poetry analysis. Aim for a total word count of 250 words for this q, so your submission is short. Low H3 with lots of potential to improve.)
Here is another unseen poem you could practice.