Blackout

SUMMARY This short story is about a white American woman's encounter with a black man on the street of an unnamed island in the Caribbean. The story opens with the young lady waiting at a bus stop on the night of a blackout. She encounters a young man who approaches her and politely asks for a light (for his cigarette). She explains that she does not have a light, but he points out that she is smoking a cigarette. She grudgingly acquiesces to give him a light from her cigarette. She holds her arm out for him to take her cigarette and light his, but instead, as is the case with many smokers, he bends over the offered arm and lights his cigarette. He looks up to thank her and realizes that she has discarded her cigarette. An ongoing internal monologue occurs, where it is revealed that the white woman is racist. The black male proceeds to educate her on the differences in race relations in the Caribbean versus America. The situation remains unresolved as the woman boards the bus and goes on her way and the man remains at the bus stop, where he picks her half smoked cigarette out of the gutter. SETTING

An unnamed island in the Caribbean. The story occurred around the time of World War II.

CHARACTERS American Woman (White)

Took pride in the fact that she was an American young woman who did not scare easily. Considered herself to be superior to the young man.

Caribbean Man (Black)

Had a sense of pride about being black. Did not consider himself to be inferior to the American woman.

THEME Racism This is a strong theme in this short story. The simple act of asking for a light becomes a tension filled moment in time where two individual's honestly confront each other about their beliefs. The fact that the woman feels that she is superior to the man, based on race, is highlighted when she expresses the following views: 1. 'She could snub him quietly, the way she should have properly done from the start" (Mais, p.10)

2. 'In America they lynched them for less than that' (Mais, p.10) 3. 'Do you really think that all men are created equal?' (Mais p.10) The young man's reaction to her rejection of him is to be quietly contemptuous, a reaction that she categorizes as insolence, proving that she believes herself to be superior to him. Her reaction implies that he should be accepting of whatever she 'dishes out' to him. She boards her bus, shaken, but still holding on to her beliefs, as seen in her refusal to take a last look at him. However, the young black males show of strength is, ironically, lessened by the fact that he picks her cigarette out of the gutter.

Berry
SUMMARY Berry is about a young black man called Millberry Jones who is employee at Dr. Renfield's Home for Crippled Children. He was reluctantly employed by Mrs. Osborn, the housekeeper, because the Scandinavian kitchen boy had left without notice, leaving her no choice in hiring Berry. Her reluctance to hire Berry stemmed from his race, initiating questions like where he would sleep? How would the other servants react to the presence of a Negro? She had a meeting with Dr. Renfield and they decided to hire Millberry on a reduced salary. He was overworked and underpaid, but took solace in the children, whom he loved. An unfortunate incident occurred, however, where a child fell from his wheel chair while in the care of Berry. The result was that Berry was fired and given no salary for the week that he had worked. SETTING

Dr. Renfiled's Home for Crippled Children New Jersey coast

CHARACTERS Millbury Jones (Berry)

A Black male, approximately 20 years old. Described as good natured and strong. Poor and uneducated. Very observant and intuitive about people and places. Very good with children due to his gentleness.

Mrs. Osborn

The housekeeper at the children's home. Rumoured to be in love with Dr. Renfield. Very high handed with her staff, but docile with Dr. Renfield. Displays racist characteristics in subtle forms.

Dr. Renfield

Rumoured to have romantic affairs with his female staff. Berry observes that the Home is 'Doc Renfield's own private gyp game' (Hughes, p. 162), meaning that he runs his establishment for his own profit, instead of a desire to take genuine care of the children. He is blatantly racist.

THEMES Racism This theme is apparent when Berry was being considered for employment at the Home. Mrs. Osborn was concerned about where Berry would sleep, implying that he could not sleep with the white servants because he was considered to be beneath them. His salary was also cut due to his race, and he was overworked, with no discussions of days off, 'everybody was imposing on him in that taken-for-granted way white folks do with Negro help.' (Hughes, 162). Even more importantly, when the unfortunate accident occurred with the child, there was no attempt at discerning what had occurred that led to the incident, but blame was laid on the obvious person Berry. As a result, he was relieved of his job a hail of racist slurs.

Shabine
SUMMARY 'Shabine' is the story of Justene, a mixed race woman who is constantly mocked for being poor, of mixed heritage, and presumably promiscuous. She was taunted with the words jamette and shabine (half white, or of mixed heritage) on the streets. The story opens with the narrator explaining that she had a fiery temper, which she unleashed on her tormentors when provoked. Her two sons, Gold and Silver, were subjected to similar taunts, with Silver reacting in the same way as his mother, while Gold tried to do damage control. The reader then learns that Justene had lived with her mother, who was a maid in Justene's father's house. It is implied, by the narrator, that her mother invited white sailors surreptitiously into her house to sleep with Justene. The rest of the story is filled with the narrator's regret for what could have existed between him and Justene. SETTING

The name of the Caribbean island is not mentioned. The story is set around the time of WWII, when American troops were prevalent in the Caribbean.

MAJOR CHARACTERS Justene (Shabine)

She is described as having 'pale, reddish skin colour, the mass of coarsish red hair that resembled the wool of sheep, the grey eyes ... the chocolate freckles.' (SimmondsMcDonald, p.14). She is very coy and provocative, as can be seen in her response to the narrator. She does not fear her taunters, but boldly defends herself. She is fiercely protective of her children, as can be seen when she defends them. She is a proud woman who does not want her children to stoop to the level of their taunters.

Narrator

He is male. He seems to be completey enthralled by Justene, as is seen with the token of fruit, paradise plum, that he ritualistically left for her on the gate post. He mourns the loss of the possibility of a future that he might have had with Justene.

MINOR CHARACTERS Gold - Justene's son. He had thick wooly red curls, red bushy eyebrows, a freckled face and grey

eyes. Silver - Justene's son. He was sort of blond, he had straight close cropped, sun bleached white hair and he was fearless. Mr. Cazaubon - Justene's mother's employer. He is also Justene's father, but he does not acknowledge her. Mrs. Cazaubon - Wife to Mr. Cazaubon. She is aware of Justene's parentage, and treats mother and child in a contemptuous manner. Shabine's mother - Mrs. Cazaubon's maid. It is rumoured that she died from 'too much rum and grief because Misie Cazaubon had never kept his promise to her to acknowledge Justene as his daughter and to send her to Convent School.' (Simmonds-McDonald, p.13). THEMES Love and Family Relationship This theme is brought out by Justene and her two children. She protects them by dispersing her children's tormentors in a hale of her own words and stones. She then told them that they should not respond to their tormentors because they would become like them. This is the hallmark of a loving mother. She defends and protects her children, yet teaches them the value of maintaining their pride. This is in contrast with the very vague details surrounding the relationship with her mother. Whereas the reader sees Justene hugging and comforting her children, there is only the implication that Justene's mother allowed white sailors to 'visit' her home, implying that Justene might have been the lure, or the mother herself. The narrator also implies that he had good intentions towards Justene through his shy, patient and consistent courting, however, Justene's mother discourages this: 'Justene's mother had come to complain about his giving of paradise plums and putting ideas in Justene's head and upsetting her life' (Simmonds-McDonald, p.14 ). The narrator implies that she robbed her daughter of a future that was close to 'paradise' as Justene would have gotten. She is not a totally bad mother, however, because she stands up for her child when Mrs. Cazaubon attempted to treat her like a servant. Women in Society This short story highlights the fact that women, in general, have very few choices. Justene's mother has a child by her employer and remains under his roof. Many people would argue that she had a choice to leave with her child, but that is easier said than done. Raising a child takes a village, so it is difficult for anyone to decide to leave a space of financial security. The argument is the same for Mrs. Cazaubon. She stays with a man who has fathered a child, in her own home, with their maid. What is even worse is that the maid and the child, the evidence of her husband's indiscretion, remains in her home. Her impotence, concerning the situation and her life, is seen in her treatment of Justene and her mother, as well as her quarrels, or rather, abusive monologues, with Mr. Cazaubon. Both women are tied to this man based on the fact that he provides financial security in a world that can be even more cruel to women who lack this.

The severe hypocrasy in the society, as it concerns the sexual indiscretions between men and women, is also highlighted in this short story. Justene and Mr. Cazaubon are treated very differently for their sexual indiscretions. Mr. Cazaubon remains a respected gentleman, despite fathering a child with the maid, and having them reside under the same roof with his wife, while Justene is stoned and castigated in the streets for keeping company with white sailors, as implied by the narrator. Society appears to have different rules for women and men in the sexual arena. SYMBOL Paradise Plums Paradise plums represent the alternate life that Justene could have had. The fact that this candy/ 'sweety' was used to court Justene in such a shy, innocent and consistent manner, implies that her life with the narrator could have been very pleasant and healthy.

Septimus
SUMMARY The short story 'Septimus' is set in Barbados. It is told from the perspective of an adult and opens in the present. Mama is crying over a letter that she has received from Septimus. The last sentence of the letter makes Mama cry at last I can have a whole apple for Christmas. A flashback occurs at this point. Septimus family resides in the Gap and the reader learns that the seven children have claimed the place and its residents. The story really begins one Christmas Eve when Mama sent the girls on an errand to Aunt Bless house. She had recently returned from shopping in town and Septimus saw three shiny apples on the top of the shopping bag. He ran off with one because he wanted it for himself. He was told that this was impossible because the three apples had to be shared among the nine members of the family. Septimus was not pleased, but he was appeased by Aunt Bless, who later gave him an apple for himself. When he returned home, he sliced the apple in nine pieces and offered it to his mother. SETTING The story is set in Barbados. CHARACTERS Mama:

Gentle and caring. Strict with her children, for example, the girls thought that Septimus would get in trouble for accepting the apple.

Septimus:

The seventh child out of six. The only boy and the youngest child. 6 years old at the beginning of the story with a childish selfishness. Performs a caring and beautiful thing by sharing his apple.

Aunt Bless:

Real name is Letitia. Given the nick name by Septimus because of her habit to greet people with a blessing. Loves all the children. Septimus is her favourite of the seven children.

Old Bostic:

A watch maker. A very grumpy man who tolerates the children.

THEMES

Poverty: The family is very poor, as seen in the description of where they live, the Christmas gifts that Mama bought and the sharing of three apples among nine people. The narrator herself confirms that the family is poor, the principle had to be established that what we had which was not much had to be shared p. 107. Happiness: Despite their physical state of being poor, the seven children were very happy. A major part of this happiness was their ownership of the Gap and the people in it, they had a sense of belonging. Innocence: Septimus defines this through his youth, as well as his actions based on his youth. He is perturbed by the concept of sharing, initially, but once he got pass this feeling, he embraced the concept with the vivacity of innocence and youth. SYMBOL Apple: The apple represent knowledge and a loss of innocence because a six year old child is forced to face the reality of being poor. He cannot have a whole apple for himself. The child is no longer innocent after he is faced with this reality because he learns that life is not fair because he cannot always get what he wants. The apple also represents growth as well because Septimus is able to accept his situation by voluntarily sharing his apple.

The Man of the House

SUMMARY This short story is about a little boy called Sullivan who has a sick mother. Sullivan is initially unconcerned about his mothers illness, and mildly pleased, because he got to stay home and play at being the man of the house. However, his initial delight changes to concern on the second day due to his fear that his mother has pneumonia. The second night and the third day are even more frightening because he had to fetch the doctor and travel to the North Dispensary to get her medication. At the dispensary he meets a young girl who tricks him into drinking, and sharing the medicine, with the result being an empty bottle to take home to his mother. Sullivan suffers extreme guilt as a result of this and goes home crying. His mother consoles him and forgives his childish misdemeanor. SETTING

A town called Cork, in England.

CHARACTERS Sullivan

A very responsible little boy. Enjoys playing at being a man by taking care of his mother and the household chores.

Mother

A sickly lady. She feels guilty that her son has to display such maturity by taking care of her. Displays what a loving mother she is by understanding that Dooley is an innocent boy that succumbed to peer pressure. She also takes excellent care of her son when she is able to do so.

Minni Ryan

She is a family friend who advises Dooly during the course of his mothers illness. A middle aged woman who is very knowledgeable. Very pious and gossipy; according to Dooly.

Doctor

He was a fat, loud voiced man. He was the cleverest doctor in Cork.

THEME Love & family relationship This is shown in the relationship between the mother and her son. Sullivan is frightened that his mother will die of pneumonia, so, despite his fear, he enters a public house (pub) in order to ensure that she gets her home-made remedy, and travels to an unsavory neighbourhood in order to get her medicine. The mother is equally devoted to her son, as seen in her guilt over the fact that he has to take care of her. She is also very understanding when he succumbs to the peer pressure of drinking her medicine. She understands that one cannot expect a child to be a man, no matter how well he does at playing at being a man. Her love for her child is also manifested in the pride she feels when he displays the level of maturity akin to an adult. Innocence The fact that Sullivan does not recognize that his new friend is using him for a taste of his cough syrup proves that he is still an innocent young man, at least in relation to the ways of the world. Despite playing at being a man, he is still an innocent child. His reaction, after realizing that he was used, also points to his innocence. He reacts in the manner that any child would, he ran home crying.

To Dah-Duh in Memoriam
SUMMARY This short story is about a young girl's visit, from New York, to the island of Barbados. The protagonist, along with her sister and mother, visit Dah-Duh. The visit is an interesting one in which Dah-Duh and the protagonist develop a caring, yet competitive, relationship. Dah-Duh introduces her to the riches of Barbados (nature), while the protagonist introduces her grandmother to the steel and concrete world of New York (industrialism). There is a competitive edge to their conversations because they each try to outdo each other on the merits of their separate homes. Dah-Duh, however, is dealt a blow when she learns of the existence of the Empire State building, which was many stories taller than the highest thing she had ever laid her eyes on Bissex Hill. She lost a little bit of her spark that day and was not given a chance to rebound because the protagonist left for New York shortly after. The story progresses with the death of Dah-Duh during the famous 37 strike. She had refused to leave her home and was later found dead, on a Berbice chair, by her window. The protagonist spent a brief period in penance, living as an artist and painting landscapes that were reminiscent of Barbados. SETTING

The story is set in Barbados, in the 1930's.

CHARACTERS Dah-Duh:

A small and purposeful old woman. Had a painfully erect figure. Over eighty (80) years old. She moved quickly at all times. She had a very unattractive face, which was stark and fleshless as a death mask (Marshall, p.178). Her eyes were alive with life. Competitive spirit. Had a special relationship with the protagonist.

Protagonist:

A thin little girl. Nine (9) years old. A strong personality. Competitive in nature. Had a special relationship with Dah-Duh.

THEMES

Race: This theme is apparent when Dah-Duh and the protagonist discuss the fact that she beat up a white girl in her class. Dah-Duh is quiet shocked at this and exclaims that the world has changed so much that she cannot recognize it. This highlights their contrasting experiences of race. DahDuhs experience of race relations is viewing the white massa as superior, as well as viewing all things white as best. This is corroborated at the beginning of the story when it was revealed that Dah-Duh liked her grandchildren to be white, and in fact had grandchildren from the illegitimate children of white estate managers. Therefore, a white person was some-one to be respected, while for the protagonist, white people were an integral part of her world, and she viewed herself as their equal. Love and family relationship: This story highlights the strong familial ties that exists among people of the Caribbean, both in the islands and abroad (diaspora). The fact that the persona and her family left New York to visit the matriarch of the family, in Barbados, highlights this tie. The respect accorded to Dah-Duh by the mother also shows her place, or status, in the family. The protagonist states that in the presence of Dah-Duh, her formidable mother became a child again. Gender Issues: This is a minor theme in this short story. It is highlighted when it is mentioned that Dah-Duh liked her grandchildren to be boys. This is ironic because the qualities that are stereotypically found in boys - assertive, strong willed, competitive - are found in her grand daughter. An example of this is the manner in which the protagonist / narrator was able to win the staring match when she first met Dah-Duh, this proved her dominance and strength. SYMBOL Empire State Building This building represents power and progress. It is in the midst of the cold glass and steel of New York city and, therefore, deforms Dah-Duhs symbol of power; Bissex Hill. It is not by accident that the knowledge of this building shakes Dah-Duhs confidence. Steel and iron, the symbol of progress, is what shakes the nature loving Dah-Duh. It can, therefore, be said that her response to the knowledge of the existence of the Empire State Building defeat is a foreshadowing of her death. This is the case because it is metal, in the form of the planes, that rattled her trees and flatten[ed] the young canes in her field. (Marshall. p.186). This is a physical echo of her emotional response to the knowledge of the existence of the Empire State building. The fact that she is found dead after this incident is not a surprise to the reader.

The Day the World Almost Came To An End

SUMMARY This short story was told from the perspective of an adult and chronicles the events behind a childs (the adult narrator) belief that the world was about to end. The story is set on a plantation in Louisiana in 1936, where the church was the axis around which plantation life revolved. Despite this fact, the narrator was holding on to being a sinner because she believed that she could not live upright. One day, while she was playing, her cousin Rena informed her that the world was coming to an end. This was based on a conversation that Rena overheard, and misunderstood, about the eclipse. The hellfire sermons in church did not help to stem the narrators mounting panic and she worried herself into a frazzle as a result. She had a conversation with her father about this issue and he tried to quell her fears, but unfortunately, he only managed to increase it with his statement that the world could come to an end at any time. The narrator spent the night conjuring images of dooms day, which led to her overreaction to hearing the rumblings of an old airplane. She ran out of her house screaming that the world was coming to an end. Her father caught her on the road and calmed her down. She appreciated life a lot more after that and lived her life to the fullest. SETTING The story occurs on a plantation in Louisiana in 1936. CHARACTERS Daddy:

Understanding Has a good relationship with his daughter

1st person narrator:

Imaginative Bold Naive

Rena:

Naive

THEMES Religion: This is the central theme in this short story. Plantation life was centered on religion to the extent that even the narrators father was a deacon. Religious fervor, in the form of hellfire preaching, is also the fuel for the panic that overtakes the narrator/protagonist in this short story. Love & Family Relationship: The love and trust between father and daughter is glaring. When the narrator/protagonist was

worried about the world coming to an end, the first person that she thought to consult on this issue was her father. His response to her childish fears, in turn, highlights the easy relationship between the two. Daddy's care in covering his daughter after her mad dash through the turnrow is also an indication of the love that he has for his child.

The Boy Who Loved Ice Cream

SUMMARY This short story is about a little boy's obsession with ice-cream. Benjy is a little boy who lives in rural Jamaica. His family is extremely poor and the most important, and festive, day for them is the Harvest Festival. It is an even more important event for Benjy because this is the only place that he can access the coveted ice cream. Benjy has never tasted ice-cream, but he relishes the very thought of it through the second hand description that is passed on to him by his sister. The story opens with the family's preparations to attend the festival and their scenic journey down the hill. Benjy's obsession with ice-cream becomes evident at this point because he cannot enjoy himself due to his anxiety surrounding when the ice-cream will be forthcoming. This mirrors his father's obsession with scouting out the man whom he believes to be his wife's lover and Benjy's father. The obsessions collide when Benjy finally gets his ice cream and it falls out of his hand because his father sees a male talking to his wife and drags Benjy along to confront him. The story, therefore, ends in disappointment for Benjy. SETTING

The story occurs in the small town of Springville in rural Jamaica. The family is from an even smaller town called One Eye, located in the mountains of Springville.

CHARACTERS Benjy

The second youngest child. He is a really intense child in terms of achieving his desires.

Elsa

Benjy's older sister. She takes care of Benjy when his mother is busy. She introduces Benjy to the foggy concept of ice cream.

Mother

She was very progressive and forward thinking. She was a very sociable and friendly person. Always eager to go or do something different.

Papa

He was a farmer. The short story reveals that he was wedded to the soil. He did not like to go out.

He preferred a predictable lifestyle. He was very jealous.

THEME Jealousy: Papa is irrationally jealous about his wife's activities. It is revealed that he believes that she cheated on him when she spent three weeks away from him in Springville, where she was attending to her dying mother. He watches her like a hawk at the Harvest Festival, thereby getting very little enjoyment out of the fair. This jealousy has serious implications for his relationship with his son Benjy. He does not believe that Benjy is his biological child, but a product of his wife's 'affair' in Springville. Benjy, therefore, is not treated well by his father, but viewed with suspicion and slight contempt. The narrator tells us that Benjy is in a state of constant suspense in terms of what his father's response to him will be. SYMBOL Ice cream: Ice cream, in this short story, is the symbol for anything that is intensely desired, anything that is anticipated to bring great pleasure.

Emma
SUMMARY This short story is told from the first person perspective of a little girl called Dorian York. The focus of her thoughts is her mother; the games that they play together, and the games that she plays with her friend, that revolve around her mother. The first person perspective of the narrative gives the reader an intimate view of how the little girl sees her mother, as well as how she feels about her. We are also able to garner information about the people around her from her innocent narrative, innocent because the little girl does not understand many of the things that she reports. The audience learns that Emma and Mr. York have a volatile relationship that is seemingly caused by his infidelity. This infidelity is initially implied by Emmas constant watching of the clock and waiting for her husband to return home, as well as the fight that Dorian reported. Grandfathers visit brings a happy atmosphere to the family unit because daddy starts to do things with the family, and they seem more like a conventional happy family. The audience is given the impression that things go back to normal after grandfather leaves, however, due to the spectral presence of the lady at the train station, as well as Mrs. Robinsons pointed discussion about Mr. Yorks status as a player. The narrative climaxes with the death of Emma at the train station. She saw her husband with the mysterious lady and runs away, followed closely by Dorian and Jack. Unfortunately, when Jack caught her by the arm, she ran into the path of an oncoming vehicle and was killed. Jack and Mrs. Robinson then get romantically involved, and they send both Maria and Dorian to St. Agnus, a boarding school, in the country. SETTING

The story occurs in three places; the York residence, an unnamed mall and the old train station. The mood of the story fluctuates from happiness to sadness.

CHARACTERS Jack York (Daddy)

He is Dorans father and Emmas husband. He is characterized as a player by Mrs. Robinson. He is not faithful to his wife. He was not ready for the arrival of his daughter, Dorian, and does not seem to have a close relationship with her.

Emma York

She is Dorians mother and Jacks wife. She is a good mother who plays with her child and treats her well. She is a good wife who loves her husband (as seen in how she greets him when he gets home) and is considerate of his feelings; as seen in her reasons for not having another baby.

She is a very smart and polished lady who can handle herself with people who are coy and critical of her; as seen in her argument with Mrs. Robinson in the mall.

Dorian York

A very innocent little girl who is the first person narrator of the story. She is younger than her friend Maria, who is nine (9) years old. She adores her mother and her grandfather. She is often puzzled by the content of adult discussion.

Grandaddy

Emmas father. Brought joy into the family because daddy stayed home, came home early, and spent quality time with the family, due to grandaddy's implied interference. Loved her grandfather because he seemed to do what her dad didnt spent time with her and her first person perspective of him reflected her love.

Ruby Robinson

She is Emmas friend and Marias mother. She is not a good friend to Emma because she is both critical and jealous of her. She gets romantically involved with Jack after Emma dies. Shes very impatient with both girls. She sends Maria and Dorian to boarding school in order to enact her plan to keep the player.

Maria Robinson

She is the nine (9) year old daughter of Ruby Robinson. She is Dorians playmate. She filters and explains a lot of the adult conversations that Dorian does not understand.

THEMES Innocence This theme is epitomized by Dorian York. The story is told from her perspective, therefore, the reader gets a firsthand view of the innocence behind her misunderstanding of adult conversation and situations. She senses emotions, but misses a lot of the innuendo, as is seen when she tells the audience about the fight that her parents had. Her innocence is also seen in her expectation that her mother would come home after the accident, but instead, she finds Mrs. Robinson in her mot hers bed. Her growth, or advancement into maturity, is highlighted in the end of the short

story when Dorian reassures Maria that everything will be ok, they will play adult games better. Love and family relationship There are two types of families in this short story, the nuclear family and the single family unit. Dorians family is the nuclear family, consisting of mother, father and child. This family is a troubled one because the father is seemingly more absent than present due to an implied other woman, who is later confirmed as very real. He also seems uncomfortable around his only child, as is confirmed by Emma, who decides to forgoe having another child because Jack wasnt ready for Dori (Cole, p.53). Emma, on the other hand, seems to live to please both her child and husband. She is very affectionate with Dorian, and this love is returned ten fold, as seen in the adoration that imbues the tone of the narrator. She is the same with her husband, but the reception is less enthusiastic. It would be unfair to say that the family is dysfunctional, because one parent is at least invested in the emotional happiness of the child, but the family has issues because the head of the households concentration lies elsewhere. Mrs. Robinson is a single mother, parenting her only child; Maria. She does not appear to be particularly liked by both girls because no-one wants to play at being her. She aggravates her child constantly and appears to be unhappy with her life. This family structure can be seen as dysfunctional because the parent does not seem to devote her energies toward making her child feel loved and comfortable, which is one of the primary aims of any family structure. Friendship There are two contrasting friendships in this short story. There is the friendship between Dorian and Maria, which is characterized by play, conversations and support of each other. Then there is the friendship between the adults, Emma and Mrs. Robinson, which is contrastingly characterized by cattiness and jealousy; mostly on Mrs. Robinsons part. MOTIF Play The motif of play appears to be a strong one in this short story, perhaps due to the fact that the narrator is a young child. The children play at being adults, immitating and fighting over their favourite adult. They also literally see the life of adults as play. Dorian confirms this at the end of the story when she reassures Maria that I learned a lot about this game. When its our turn to play, well play smarter. (Cole, p.58). SYMBOL Deck of cards The deck of cards that Emma carries around in her purse is a powerful symbol for life. In any card game that is being played, every-one has a chance at success, or failure, depending on how they play the game. Mrs. Robinson gives Emma an alternate way to play the game of life, with success being the joy of keeping her player husband. Emma, however, chooses to play the game in an another way, one in which she attempts to satisfy the needs of both Dorian and Jack. Emma is the loser in the game, however, because she dies with the joker in her hand. This signifies that her future could have gone in any direction because the joker introduces the element of chance to the game; it can be a bonus, a penalty, or both, depending on how it is used in the game. In the game of life, Emma lost because she chose to take a chance with pleasing

both members of her family, instead of concentrating soley on her husband, as Mrs. Robinson suggested. The game of life gives every-one chances however, just like a card game, and Mrs. Robinson was given a chance to bag her rich man with Emmas exit from the game.

Mom Luby and the Social Worker

SUMMARY This short story is about an elderly woman, fondly called Mom Luby, who fosters two small children. The story opens with her visit to the Social Welfare office, in order to obtain monetary assistance in taking care of the children. She then returns home to find people waiting to get let in to the speakeasy that she runs in her back room. There is a knock on the door, but instead of the police - coming to collect money - it is a social worker. The social worker, Miss Rushmore, visits in order to investigate the living conditions of the children. She is skeptical about some of the answers that Mom Luby gives, but gives her information about the many forms, along with lengthy directions, regarding the acquisition of clothes and shoes for the children. Mom Luby is astonished, yet slightly amused, about the length of time it could take to obtain clothes and shoes for the children. She responds by stating that she simply did not have enough time because she had a long list of chores to attend to. Miss. Rushmore volunteers to go along with Mom Luby, expressing her disbelief that she could accomplish so much in such a short time. They both return from completing the chores, with Miss Rushmore looking very bedraggled. She states that Mom Luby does not need her help because she got more things done in two hours, than Miss Rushmore has managed to complete in two years. The great irony of the situation is revealed when Mom Luby comments that the Social Welfare office should consider hiring her, but Miss Rushmore comments that that is not possible because Mom Luby is not qualified. SETTING

The United States of America. Between 1920-1933, the time of the Prohibition in the United States.

CHARACTERS Mom Luby

An elderly woman who is as strong as any young woman. She has white hair and false teeth. She runs a speakeasy in the back room of her house. She fosters two young children. She is a midwife, herb doctor and ordained minister of the Gospel. She's a very productive woman who helps the people in her community. She is very proud.

Miss Rushmore

She works at the Department of Child Welfare, Bureau of Family Assistance. She is very thorough in her investigation of Mom Luby. She is awed by Mom Luby's productivity.

Elijah (narrator) & Puddin' - The two young children that Mom Luby fosters. THEME Love and Family Relationship The love that Mom Luby has for her two young charges is apparent by her simple act of fostering them. She is a poor, older woman who runs a speakeasy to survive, this is not the profile of someone who should be willing to take care of two young children, as well as a whole community. The act of visiting the Social Security Office is a testament to her commitment to taking care of the two children. The great irony in this short story is that a poor, older lady, is able to take better care of two little children than the State agency that is assigned to do so. This is because she can get more accomplished in two hours, to benefit them, than the agency can accomplish in two years with their most motivated agent.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

(William Shakespeare) SUMMARY This play is a love story that is split between four sets of lovers; Hippolyta and Theseus, Hermia and Lysander, Helena and Demetrius and Titania and Oberon. The story begins with a distraught father, Egeus, asking the Duke, Thesus, to bring the law upon his daughter, Hermias head. His request is made because he wants her to marry Demetrius and she has disobeyed him by seeing Lysander in secret. The Duke gives Hermia up to the day of his wedding to decide to obey her father or suffer the consequence of consignment to a nunnery if she chooses to oppose him. This decision spurs Hermia and Lysander to meet in the woods to facilitate their elopement. Things get interesting at this point because Puck, a fairy, carries out Oberons request to meddle in the lovers lives. Mistaken identity occurs with hilarious consequences. The tale of Titania, Oberon and Bottom intersect as a subplot, as well as the play within the play. The play ends with all the lovers being wed. SETTING

The play is set in Athens Some scenes occur within the palace walls While others occur in the wood, outside of Athens

CHARACTERS Puck

Puck, also known as Robin Goodfellow, is a mischievous fairy who delights in playing pranks on mortals. His antics are responsible for many of the complications that propel the other main plots He mistakes the young Athenians, applying the love potion to Lysander instead of Demetrius, thereby causing chaos within the group of young lovers He also transforms Bottoms head into that of an ass.

Oberon

The king of the fairies, Oberon is initially at odds with his wife, Titania, because she refuses to give him a young Indian prince. Oberons desire for revenge on Titania leads him to send Puck to obtain the lovepotion flower (love in idleness) that creates so much of the plays confusion.

Titania

Titania is very stubborn because she resists her husbands attempts, Oberon to obtain the child.

She has a brief, potioninduced love for Nick Bottom, whose head Puck has transformed into that of an ass.

Lysander

A young man of Athens who is in love with Hermia. Lysanders relationship with Hermia highlights the theme of loves difficulty He cannot marry Hermia openly because Egeus, her father, wishes her to wed Demetrius He becomes the victim of misapplied magic and wakes up in love with Helena.

Demetrius

A young man of Athens who is initially in love with Hermia He ends up, ultimately, falling in love with Helena.

Hermia

Egeus daughter. A young woman of Athens. Hermia is in love with Lysander and is a childhood friend of Helena. She is in love with Lysander She is left without a lover when both Lysander and Demetrius suddenly fall in love with Helena. She ends up marrying Lysander

Helena

A young woman of Athens. She is in love with Demetrius. Demetrius and Helena were once courted, but when Demetrius met Helenas friend Hermia, he fell in love with her and abandoned Helena. Lacking confidence in her looks, Helena thinks that Demetrius and Lysander are mocking her when the fairies mischief causes them to fall in love with her.

Egeus

Hermias father, who brings a complaint against his daughter to Theseus: Egeus has given Demetrius permission to marry Hermia, but Hermia, in love with Lysander, refuses to marry Demetrius. Egeuss severe insistence that Hermia either respect his wishes or be held accountable to Athenian law places him squarely outside the whimsical dream realm of the forest.

Theseus

He is the duke of Athens. He is engaged to Hippolyta. Theseus represents power and order throughout the play. He appears only at the beginning and end of the story, he is therefore removed from the dreamlike events of the forest.

Hippolyta

The queen of the Amazons. She is engaged to Theseus. Like Theseus, she symbolizes order.

Nick Bottom

The overconfident weaver chosen to play Pyramus in the craftsmens play for Theseuss marriage celebration. He is full of advice and selfconfidence. He frequently makes silly mistakes and misuses language. He is the comic relief in the play because of he is unaware that he possessed an ass head.

Peter Quince

A carpenter. The leader of the craftsmens attempt to put on a play for Theseuss marriage celebration. Quince is often ignored by the overly confident Bottom. He plays the Prologue in the play within the play.

Francis Flute

The bellowsmender. He is chosen to play Thisbe in the play within the play. Forced to play a young girl in love.

Robin Starveling

The tailor. He was to chosen to play Thisbes mother in the play within the play He ends up playing the part of Moonshine.

Tom Snout

The tinker. He is chosen to play Pyramuss father in the play within the play. He ends up playing the part of Wall, dividing the two lovers.

Snug

The joiner. He is chosen to play the lion in the play within the play. Snug worries that his roaring will frighten the ladies in the audience.

Philostrate

Theseuss Master of the Revels. He isresponsible for organizing the entertainment for the dukes marriage celebration.

Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mote, and Mustardseed

The fairies ordered by Titania to attend to Bottom after she falls in love with him.

SUMMARY Act 1 Scene 1 Theseus and Hippolyta are ecstatic about their wedding day. The scene continues with Egeus, who wants his daughter, Hermia, to marry Demetrius instead of Lysander. Egeus visits the duke of Athens, Theseus, to request the enforcing of the old Athenian law which states that a disobedient daughter may be sent to her death by her father. Hermia could accept the death sentence, marry Demetrius, or join the nunnery. The chapter ends with Lysander and Hermia planning their elopement, and telling Helena, Hermias childhood friend, of their plans. Scene 2 Quince, Snug, Bottom, Flute, Snout and Starveling meet to discuss a play that they will enact on the Dukes wedding night. Quince is the main organizer and Bottom appears to be the person that wants to play everyones part. Quince gives everyone their roles and asks them to meet the following night in the palace woods. Act 2 Scene 1 This scene opens with the fairy and Puck conversing. Both Oberon and Titania enter and start arguing. The audience learns that nature is being affected negatively by this and Oberon suggests that she should just give him the changeling boy to end it all. She refuses, and Oberon retaliates

by plotting, with Puck, to acquire the flower, loveinidleness, to let her fall in love with the first creature that she sees. This scene continues with Demetrius blatant rejection of Helena in the woods. The scene continues with Oberon informing Puck that he is going to drop the love juice on Titanias eyelids. He instructs Puck to do the same to Demetrius. Scene 2 Titania enters the wood and instructs her fairies to sing her to sleep. Oberon then arrives and places the love juice on her eyelids. As a result, Titania falls in love with Bottom, the first creature that she sees. Lysander and Hermia then make their entrance in the woods, where Hermia suggests that Lysander sleep further away from her, for the sake of propriety. After this scene, Puck enters and mistakenly anoints the Lysander, instead of Demetrius, with the love juice. Lysander awakes to see Helena and declares his love for her. Helena believes that he is mocking her and storms off angrily, with Lysander in tow. Hermia then awakes from a bad dream finding herself alone. Act 3 Scene 1 The craftsmen met in the woods to rehearse the play. They discuss, and decide, on changes that are to be made to the play and the rehearsal begins. During the rehearsals, Puck is watching and sees Bottom leave the scene. Puck follows him and, without his knowledge, transforms Bottoms head into that of an ass. Most of the artisans flee in terror. Bottom suspects that his companions are trying to make an ass of him and decides to sing to himself. The song awakens Titania, who immediately sees Bottom and falls in love with him. Titania asks him to remain with her in the woods; she will have him attended to and cared for by her fairies. She summons Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth and Mustardseed, and tells them to lead Bottom to her bower. Scene 2 Puck speaks to Oberon about the mischief that has occurred. He reports that Titania has fallen in love with Bottom. Hermia and Demetrius enter, with Hermia accusing Demetrius of killing her beloved Lysander, who has vanished. The argument reveals no truths so Hermia departs in search of Lysander, leaving Demetrius to sleep. At this point, Puck and Oberon realized that a mistake has been made and Puck is sent in search of Helena while Oberon enchants the sleeping Demetrius. They unintentionally wake Demetrius who immediately falls in love with Helena because she is the first person that he sees. Helena now thinks that Demetrius is a part of the prank because of his sudden change of heart. The situation escalates when Hermia enters. Lysander and Demetrius fight over Helena, while Helena starts a fight with Hermia. Helena thinks Hermia is also a part of the prank. Oberon rushes to retrieve the Indian boy from Titania, while Puck leads the lovers away from each other before a life is lost. They get lost in a fog and fall asleep to wake up in love. ACT 4 Scene 1 Titania and Bottom get acquainted, with Titania being completely enamored with Bottom. She offers him the services of her fairies and they both fall asleep. Oberon decides to take the spell from Titania's eyes, after she consents to giving up the Indian boy. After Puck removes the asses head from Bottom, the fairies leave the wood. Theseus and his followers then arrive for a

celebration in the wood. They meet upon the lovers and awaken them. After a conversation with the pairs of lovers, Theseus declares that both pairs of lovers should marry, along with himself and Hyppolyta, in the palace. They all leave, then Bottom wakes up and makes his way to Athens. Scene 2 The actors are worried about the missing Bottom, and about whether or not the play can go on without him. He then makes a dramatic entrance. ACT 5 Scene 1 Theseus and Hyppolyta are back at the palace discussing the experiences that the lovers described. All the couples choose Bottom's play for the evening's entertainment.The play progresses, the actors leave, and then Puck gives a closing speech. THEMES Romantic love Infatuation Power and authority Magic vs. reality Women in society Class

SUMMARY The book is about Eva and Bee Dorcas, members of the Spiritual Baptist Church. It is about their experiences of being persecuted for their religious affiliation and the faith that they have in Ivan Morton to change their situation. The character Bolo is also at the forefront of this story because

he embodies the result of not being able to be a man in a society that does not view being Black as valuable. SETTING Time / Place:

The story is set over a 20 year time period, 1932 1951 Set in a small, remote village in Trinidad called Bonasse

Political structure:

Trinidad was still a colony under the British Empire Trinidad was ruled under the Crown Colony system Head of State in England governed the island via the Governor, who was his or her representative Political power, therefore, lay in the governor, assisted by a Council Universal adult suffrage (right of all adults to vote) did not occur to Trinidad until 1946. Power still lay in the hands of those who owned plantations and these people, in turn, controlled the instruments of power; the legislature, the courts and the police.

Economy:

The economy was still predominantly agricultural; sugar, cocoa, coffee, coconuts and citrus. The petroleum industry was just beginning to make an impact. Subsistence farming (production of foodstuff for domestic use) was the norm World War II led to the establishment of American bases, which introduced opportunity to earn money WW II also introduced a consumer attitude to life in Bonasse

Social structure:

Trinidad boasted a very diverse Creole society populated by a variety of ethnic groups (Indian, Black, Chinese, White), each with its own cultural and religious practices. Trinidad was still a series of small villages connected by a network of tiny roads, hence, travel between villages was infrequent

Religion:

The protagonists in the novel are Spiritual Baptists/ Shouter Baptists This religion arose out of a fusion of Protestant Christianity and African Orisha elements The religion was outlawed in 1917 on the grounds that they disturbed the peace with their bell ringing, loud singing and highly expressive behavior during worship. See video clip of Spiritual Baptist in Grenada at the bottom of this page.

The Wine of Astonishment

MAJOR CHARACTERS Eva Dorcas:

The wife of Bee Dorcas and mother to 5 children She is the emotional support for her husband She is a strong Christian The story is told through her eyes (1st person narrator) She is patient and long suffering

Bee Dorcas:

Evas husband and father of her 5 children Pastor of the Shouter Baptist church in the text He is a strong Christian He is considered to be the pillar of the community He is very wise, patient and long suffering He is very persistent, as seen in his lobbying for Ivan Morton Shoulders his responsibilities well and does not view them as a burden

Bolo:

Local stick fighting champion Initially beloved and admired by the community, seen as a hero/warrior figure Was imprisoned for 3 years for defending his mother, and the church, during a police raid of the Shouter Baptist church Later becomes the terror of the community because of how he bullied every-one after his return from prison A brave, yet simple character that was crushed by the realities of life as a black man in Trinidad

Ivan Morton:

Local boy who was considered to be the pride of the community because he was bright Failed his college Exhibition examination twice He eventually became a teacher within the community He married a light skinned girl from Tunapuna, and abandoned Eulalie and their illegitimate baby The community chose him to represent them on the Council and he became a true politician; talk without action

MINOR CHARACTERS Clyde:

Ivan Mortons driver A lot of second hand information about Ivan is gleaned from this character, via Joyce Eventually marries Joyce

Mr. Buntin:

Black owner of the local shop He believed in Black empowerment He was not a good businessman; a lot of people owed him and his shop was virtually empty by the end of the book He enjoyed the company of his patrons

Mitchel:

Carpenter on the American Base Money-lender and contact man Owner of the local shop that eventually competes with Buntins shop An example of some-one who has profited from the American presence in Trinidad Bolo destroys his establishment He campaigns for Ivan Morton during his bid for re-election to the council

Clem:

The polar opposite of Bolo Calm and able to go with the flow A musician who eventual leaves Bonasse to become the successful Lord Trafalgar He got along with everyone

Eulalie:

The most attractive girl in Bonasse Widely believed that she would eventually marry Bolo She dated Ivan Morton instead She became pregnant by Ivan and was abandoned by him She eventually went to live in the United States

Corporal Prince:

He was tall and stocky Enforced the law at all costs Arrested and brutally beat Bolo, 1st time Raided the Shouter Baptist church He was unsympathetic to the Shouter Baptists

Primus:

Quiet and gentle resident of Bonasse He tried to be friendly with every-one Bolo kidnapped his two daughters

Winston:

Oldest of the Dorcas children 19 years old at the beginning of the story Leaves Bonasse to become a police

Taffy:

16 years old at the beginning of the story The most troubled of the Dorcas children He got in trouble with the law and had to flee to Port of Spain Also the most charming of the children

Joyce:

15 years old at the beginning of the story Reader gets all the second hand news about Ivan Morton from her, via Clyde Dated, then eventually got married to Clyde At the end of the book, she is pregnant with her first child

Reggie:

8 years at the beginning of the text A very intelligent young man Preparing to take the college Exhibition exam in the middle of the text Gets caught up with talk of black empowerment at Buntins shop gains a place in high school on his own initiative, at the beginning of the text

Gem:

4 years old Youngest child Playful and very bright

CHAPTER SUMMARIES Chapter 1: The readers are introduced to the narrator, Eva, and her husband Bee, along with three of their children: Joyce, Gem and Reggie. Reggie has failed his examination and the couple debates whether or not to ask Ivan Morton for help. It becomes apparent that the hope of the community rests on this young politicians shoulders. He disappoints the community, however, when he does

not support the Shouter Baptists. The reader is introduced to the budding relationship between Joyce and Clyde, as well as Bolos disappointment in the churchs apathy. The chapter ends with Reggie being placed in a high school after previously applying without his parents knowledge. Chapter 2: This chapter charts the changes in Bonasse and how it affects Bolo and Clem. Clem accepted and went with the flow, while Bolo just could not accept change and became disruptive. The banning of carnival, hence stick fighting, became a reality, and the change that Americans had on the cultural identity of the people was emphasized throughout this chapter. Chapter 3: The church plays a vital role in this chapter. The pride that is felt about its existence and perseverance is expressed by Eva. However, a law is passed that makes the church illegal, thereby forcing the members to plot to keep the church alive. The formulated a plan to be quiet in the way they worship and to try to put a man in the Council. Other things that occur in the chapter are: the tragic tale of Eulalie/Ivan/Bolo, Bolo losing his temper and its tragic results, and the coming of Prince. In the end, Bee decides to break the law because the church is slowly dying. Chapter 4: In this chapter, the reader learns about Bees children, as well as their response to his talk of breaking the law. Winston wants to become a police and Taffy wants to leave Trinidad. Bolo sits in church as a question mark and eventually leaves, while Bee finally breaks the law. Chapter 5: Bee breaks the law continuously until the church is raided. Everyone is dragged to jail, but Bolo intercedes on behalf of his mother. He is beaten and subsequently imprisoned for three years with hard labour. Bee was left with no choice but to sell his cow to avoid going to jail. Buntins shop becomes black empowerment central, attracting all the youngsters, including Reggie, to join the discussions. Taffy stabs a boy and runs off to stay with his uncle in Port of Spain, while the Winston leaves Bonasse in order to become a police. Chapter 6: This chapter is all about the campaign trail and how diligently Bee worked to get Ivan elected. An air of freedom and joy pervades this chapter. It ends, however, with Evas observation of the changes that Ivan makes in his life, in accordance with his new position, as well as her views on the implications behind Ivan Mortons procurement of the house on the hill. Chapter 7: This is a very dramatic chapter that highlights Bolos release from jail and the extent to which

things had changed during his incarceration. He tried to get land and did not succeed, he tried to stick fight and faced cowards. The chapter ends with the destruction that he wrought on the drums in order to express his anger and frustration. Chapter 8: This chronicles Bolos descent into a mode of destructive behavior: (a) obtaining a job and (b) extorting products from the market vendors, rum shop and gambling shop. Bolos fame extends outside Bonasse in this chapter, thereby highlighting the severity of his anger. Chapter 9: Joyce, the Dorcas only daughter, gets married, while Bolo kidnaps Primus two daughters. Bee tries to get men to challenge' Bolo, since that is what he wants, but he barely succeeds at this. The police intercede and Bolo, as well as Primus youngest daughter, gets killed. Chapter 10: Election time and Ivan is on the trail. The reader is not made aware of whether or not he is reelected, but what is known is that the Shouter Baptists were legalized. The irony at the end of the book, however, is that on the cusp of their great victory, the spirit left the church. Despite this tragedy, Eva hears it in the music that the boys play on the steel pan. THEMES Racism Women in society Religion Education vs. religion Change Power and authority Violence

Songs of Silence
SUMMARY The book is about the recollections of a female narrator called Marlene (Nice). Her recollections are dispersed chronologically, and appear to have no rational order, but many of the same characters can be found in most of the 'stories', which occur in and around the same district. SETTING

Rural Jamaica. Recollections/ stories are set in the 1960's.

MAJOR CHARACTERS: Marlene, Effita, No Name, Nathan, Miss Minnie,

Raymond, Ionie, Maas Barber, Long Man, Cudjoe Man, Dolly, Minna, Mr. Papacita.

RECOLLECTIONS/ STORIES 1. 'EFFITA' This is a recollection of the Sunday ritual of taking food to Aunt Sare. Her habit of praying for the carrier of the food is explored in great detail. The comedic telling of Effie's death announcements is another detail that is explored. We learn what happens when she gives a wrong announcement for Melwyn, and no announcement for Son Son. This recollection ends with Effie's death in 1995, with the implication that few people attended her funeral, despite the fact that most of the people in the district were related. SETTING: Green Town, Maaga Bay, Lucea, Montego Bay. CHARACTERS: Marlene/ Nice - the protagonist and narrator. Effita - the person who did informal death announcements for the district. Son Son - the narrator's male schoolmate who died, also Effie's nephew. Melwyn - Marlene's cousin who was shot by Chisel Bwoy, then given an incorrect death announcement by Effie.

Aunt Sare - the elderly lady who was a mid-wife. She would pray for every child that delivered food for her. Ionie - Marlene's mother. Chisel Bwoy - the police constable who shot Melwyn. Miss Zeta - the shop owner. Maas Levi - the only person in the district with a car, an old Chevrolet that the villagers called 'May Reach'. Mass Rat - the carpenter and coffin maker. Miss Herfa - Man Teacher's wife and a teacher herself. Man Teacher - the principal of the local school. THEMES Death, Old age 2. 'A STORY WITH NO NAME' This is the story of a lady with no name. It is reputed that she was abandoned by her wealthy family. She is an anomaly in the district because she is high coloured, did not speak, was very expressive in church before her silence, and was reclusive. She put her reclusive nature on pause once a month, when she went to town in order to visit the post office to collect packages. The story gets interesting when she got pregnant and no-one knew the father. The child became her life, and she shared him with no one, but kept him to herself. He turned out to be even more silent than his mother. It was, however, rumoured that Maas Barber, Marlene's father, was the child's father. In between the telling of this story, is Marlene's explanation of her own silence. SETTING: Tam Briscoe Hill, Baltree District, CHARACTERS Marlene/ Nice - the protagonist and narrator. No Name - the light skinned lady who was related to the Briscoes (rich landowners in the district)Ionie - Marlene's mother.

Maas Barber - Marlene's father Magsie - Marlene's sister. Long Man - a traveler who used to pass through the district and stay at the narrator's house. Luce Blagrove - the person who spread the rumour that Paul was Maas Barber's child. Miss Clemmy - the lady who ran the post office. Paul - No Name's son. Evert Briscoe - He was the only member of the Briscoe family who came home sometimes, he owned the piece of hill and the land that Maas Barber oversaw. THEMES Racism Alienation Women in Society Silence 3. 'NATHAN' This is the story of Nathan, Marlene's brother. They were two years apart and were different from their other siblings because they were companions silence. Details are told of Nathan's extreme 'tightness', or thriftiness, versus his sister's need to give everything away. He eventually married a woman whom he adored, despite the fact that she was very loud, and had three children. Marlene describes Nathan as a very stubborn man. She reports a particular incident with an MP where he won a substantial settlement due to his stubbornness. Marlene maintains that they still have a good relationship. Great details are given about Marlene's silence, along with her struggle to accept her brothers when/ while they were going through puberty. SETTING: Baltree District CHARACTERS Marlene - The narrator. Nathan - Marlene's brother who was stubborn and very quiet.

Everette - Marlene's sister who likes to go to court to listen to the cases. Marlene heard the story of Nathan's altercation with the MP from her. Tony -Marlene's older brother. MP - The person that Nathan got in a fight with and received a settlement. THEMES: Love and family relationship, silence. 4. 'THE IDIOT' This recollection speaks about school and education. It begins with the story of Ionie's pride taking a beating when she had to ask some-one, whom she had previously snobbed, for help. The story continues with Marlene explaining why she liked school. She speaks of her two scholastic rivals, Ezekiel and Wellesley, as well as the class dunce, Bas. She explains the phenomena of partially going to school due to farming responsibilities. We then learn that, in high school, she was the only person that would grudgingly speak to Ezekiel, who eventually dropped out of school. He ended up being very successful and Marlene felt bad because she did not treat him well. SETTING: Maggoty, Black Shop, St. James, St. Andrew. CHARACTERS Marlene - The narrator, extremely bright, was placed above her age range, in the class, due to her strong scholastic ability. Magsie - Marlene's older sister. Bathsheba Watkiss - Ezekiel Watkiss' sister and a teacher. Miss Herfa - A teacher and Man Teacher's wife. Man Teacher - The principal. Pa Brown - The man who Ionie snubbed, and he had to help her to cross the river. Ezekiel Watkiss (Hog) - A student in the class who was her scholastic rival, despite not going to school consistently. Miss Celine - A teacher.

Bas - the duncest boy in the class, did not attend school consistently. Wellesley Black (Goggleeye) - Another scholastic rival at school, he attended school regularly and was the correct age for the class. Nerissa Black - Wellesley's sister and a pupil teacher who taught the lower grades. THEMES Childhood lessons Education and society Silence. 5. 'MISS MINNIE' This is the story of Raymond and Miss Minnie. Miss Minnie got married to Lester after his girlfriend deserted him, as well as their young son Raymond. Miss Minnie was an extremely good mother to Raymond, making him the centre of her life, especially after Lester died. Raymond became a successful individual and took Miss Minnie with him to live in Kingston. Great changes occurred in Kingston because he met his mother and brothers, which created waves in the relationship between himself and Miss Minnie. She was eventually diagnosed with depression and low self esteem. This created another change in their relationship, to the point where Raymond would not allow another woman to get between him and Miss Minnie. Marlene declares that, based on this fact, she cannot wait on him because he will never marry as long as Miss Minnie is alive. SETTING: Baltree District, Lucea, Kingston. CHARACTERS: Marlene - The narrator, she was in a romantic relationship with Raymond. Miss Minna - Raymond's step mother who made him her life, she sells in the market, went to live with Raymond in Kingston in order to take care of him. Lester - Raymond's father. He is very quiet and died while Raymond was still young, he was a shoe maker. Maas Baada - He read the newspaper to the men in the shoe shop and was affectionate towards Raymond, where his father was not.

Raymond's mother - Rumoured that she was a go-go dancer, she left when Raymond was a young child, instigated a meeting with him when he was a successful adult, attempted to become a part of his life. Sam & Nichol - Raymond's half brothers, from his mother's side. THEME Love and family relationship Silence. 6. 'Morris Hole' This is the story of how Marlene lost the river. She explains what the river meant to her through her visual description of Morris Hole, as well as the activities that use to occur there. She lost the river when her mother abruptly told her that she could not use it, without any explanation. She then recounts her white ancestry, as well as the traumatic experiences associated with her paternal great grandparents. SETTING - Baltree District, Morris Hole. CHARACTERS Marlene - The narrator, she is entering puberty in this recollection. Miss Retinella Martin - Marlene's aunt. Munchie - Marlene's cousin. Ionie - Marlene's mother, she is grappling with her daughter entering puberty. Miss Clemmy, Miss Nellie - part of the group of Seventh Day Adventist women who wash by the river on Sunday mornings. Sister Sis - Marlene's great grandmother who did not know the father of her child, and therefore named Gussie Bugess. Maas Gussie Burgess - a very pretty man, tall and brown with nice hair, who lived in Maaga Bay, named as grandpa Eric's father. Granpa Eric - The 'supposed' product of a union between Maas Gussie and Sister Sis.

Puppa & Mummah - Maas Barber's grandparents and his children's great grandparents, they are white. Maas Barber - Marlene's father. THEME Race Loss of innocence 7. 'TRAVELLERS, OR FATHERS, OR LITTLE FOOL-FOOL' This is the story of different kinds of love. There is parental love, as represented by Cudjoe Man and Dolly. Cudjoe Man is admired throughout the district for his devotion to his mentally challenged daughter. He combs her hair, dresses her, provides for her every need and is extremely protective of her. He even disregards his attraction to Minna, a possible love match, in order to concentrate on his child. We also learn of a contrasting relationship between Minna and Samson. The romantic love between theses two people is polluted by physical abuse. This abuse is whispered throughout the district, but things come to a head when Samson beats Minna with such strength and aggression that she is hospitalized. This beating occurred because Minna got in a fight with Dottie over Cudjoe Man. This confirmed Samson's paranoia about Minnie cheating on him, and the result was beating her senseless, and then being attacked by Cudjoe-Man. Cudjoe Man ended up in jail and Dottie stayed with a family in the district until relatives from Kingston came to get her. SETTING: Baltree district, St. Ann, Green Town, Grant Ridge, Somerset St James CHARACTERS: Uncle Cuthbert (Cuttiie) - A traveller in his young days who told the children stories of his journeys. Cudjoe Man - A traveller who decided to stay in Baltree district and a devoted father to Dottie. Dolly (Fool-Fool/ Doll-Doll) - Cudjoe Man's mentally challenged daughter. Pappa Lazzy - The gentleman who gave Cudjoe-Man a place to rest before he decided to stay in Baltree district. Long Man - A consistent visitor/ traveller to Marlene's family.

Lobie - He was famous in the district for his womanizing, began 'noticing' Dottie. Big Man Cassels - Lobie's father, it was rumoured that he made inappropriate comments about Cudjoe Man and his daughter's relationship. Linval - Marlene's brother Miss Herfa - A teacher, Man Teacher's wife. Minna - Samson's girlfriend, flirted with Cudjoe Man, brutally beaten by Samson after the fight. Dottie - Cudjoe Man's girlfriend, fought with Minna when she heard of the flirting incident between Minna and Cudjoe Man. THEMES: Love Love and family relationship Women in society 8. 'SO FEW AND SUCH MORNING SONGS' Mr. Papacita's story tells of the great love that he has for his wife. They played together and were very romantic with each other. The story also highlights Mr. Papacita's beautiful voice, how he charmed everyone with it, how he lost it when his wife died, and regained it - to an extent - when he found the church. Mr. Papacita was a happy and carefree man when his wife was alive, but when she died, he became self destructive. He was always drunk, and literally passed out in the road when he was on one of his drunken tirades. He spent three weeks in the hospital and came out a changed man. He became very quiet, and one day he surprised everyone by going to church, becoming baptized and regaining a bit of his beautiful voice. SETTING - Baltree district. CHARACTERS Mr. Papacita - Miss Aita's husband, he had a beautiful voice, lost himself to grieve initially, but eventually found the church. Miss Aita - Mr. Papacita's wife, she died of cancer. Miss Nellie - Town gossip.

Maas Levi - Owner of the Chevrolet, the only car in the district. Maas Don - The taylor THEMES: Love, religion 9. 'EPILOGUE: A BEGINNING' This epilogue takes the reader to the point at which Marlene is leaving the district to attend teachers' college in Kingston. She was afraid, excited and glad - all at the same time - at the prospect of leaving her home. She reflects that all the characters in her reflections are a part of her.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS Ackee - A yellow fruit that, when cooked, looks like scrambled eggs. Blue Boot - Your best clothes. Bruk dung - Dilapidated. Bulla cake - A round, flat cake, that has the texture of a hard cookie. Bauxite - A reddish brown rock that was mined in Jamaica. Congotay - Deceitful or deceiver. Coolie royal hair - Hair type that is a cross between Indian and Black, leaning more towards Black, wild in nature. Cotta - A circular and twisted cloth that is placed on the head to cushion a load. Cry cree - To beg for mercy, usually used when people are playing. Cucumaka stick - A stick that comes from a tree, of the same name, that is believed to help in abortions, despite no scientific evidence to prove this. Dulcimina - A big, old fashioned looking suitcase. Duppy - A ghost

Faas with - To trouble someone or get in their personal business. Facety - Describes a person that is rude, or behaviour that is rude. Four eye - Word for some-one who is clairvoyant. Hootiah - A person who has not been well brought up. Jacket/ give jacket - To name a man as the father of a child when he is not, the child is the 'jacket' that the man is given. kibber - to keep your mouth shut, not talk. Peenie-wallie - A firefly. Pickni - A small child. Gleaner - A local Jamaican newspaper. Maas - Mr./ Mister. Mirasmi - Malnutrition. Mouthamassy - someone who talks too much and gossips a lot. MP - Member of Parliament Pocomania - A religious cult that blends Christianity and African beliefs. It carries the stigma of obeah and is not widely accepted. Tegereg - A boisterous and uncouth person. UC - University of the West Indies Hospital. Yaws - A sore that has persisted for so long that it has become infected.

Old Story Time

SUMMARY This play is about a mother who wants the best for her child. As a result, she isolates him from the children in the neighbourhood and forcibly encourages him to study. The result of her 'encouragement' is that he obtains a scholarship to go to University in England, travels the world, obtains a PhD, and gets an excellent job in the banking sector in Kingston,Jamaica. Alongside her encouragement, regarding education, however, is her castigation of the Black race. She tells her son that Black is not good, therefore, he must try to court Margaret, the reverend's daughter who, it is implied, is white. He attempted to accommodate his mother and was brutally humiliated. This incident, however, led to him meeting his future wife, the dark skinned Lois. Mama does not react well to their marriage and maintains the belief that Lois has worked obeah on her son in order to obtain and keep him. We learn that Lois is, in fact, dedicated to Len. So much so that she embezels the bank's money in order to support Len while he was away at University. She paid for it at that time because her then boss, George McFarlane, blackmailed her. Her former boss re-enters her life when Len investigates George's financial activities in order to ascertain whether or not he has scammed Mama in a housing deal. George tries to use her former fraudulent activities against her, but it backfires on him because Len uses the same bank slip, that George had kept as evidence of Lois embezzlement of bank funds, to trap him. The story culminates with Mama working obeah on Lois in order to get her out of Len's life. Discovering that she was wrong in her treatment, and attitude, towards Lois over the years, she apologizes to Lois. Lois, Len and Pa Ben place her in a prayer circle in order to ensure that the boomerang does not catch her. All is forgiven by the end of the play. This story is narrated by Pa Ben, who is integral to keeping the peace, as well as keeping the lines of communication open between family. SETTING

The first half of the play is predominantly set in an unamed parish in rural Jamaica. The last half of the play is predominantly set in Kingston, Jamaica. The story line is set between the 1960's to 1980.

CHARACTERS Pa Ben

He is the narrator and story teller. He keeps the peace between Mama and Len. He keeps the lines of communication open between Mama and Len, and Len and Lois. He loves Len like a son, and treats him like one. Mama is his best friend. He loves to drink his white rum.

Mama (Miss Aggie/ Miss G.)

Len's mother. She is a market lady. She is very invested in her child's education. She is very proud. She believes that whites and near whites, are superior to Black people. She is very witty.

Pearl

Len's childhood friend. She is constantly pregnant By the middle of the play she had 11 children and is pregnant with another. She dies in childbirth near the end of the play.

Miss Margaret

She is the white daughter of the minister. She attends Munroe College with Len and George. Mama wants Len to marry her because she represents advancement. She shows Len's love letter to her, from George, and enables the plan to humiliate Len. She marries George, they have a child together, and that child attends Munroe College.

Miss Lois

Len's dark skinned wife. Mama does not, initially, accept her based on her skin colour. She, and her father, take care of Len after his humiliating experience with George and his friends. She sends money to George while he attended University. She is blackmailed by George, twice, because she embezzled money from the bank. She loves her husband and yearns for his attention.

George McFarlane

Len's school mate at Munroe College. He treated Len very badly and was the mastermind behind Len's ultimate humiliation. He was very dunce at school, but was offered a place ate the bank. He eventually becomes the bank manager, where he embezels money and is caught and fired. The owner of the fraudulent ABC Homes, the company that scams Mama. He was Margaret's boyfriend in high school, and eventually marries her.

Len

Mama's son. He was extremely bright and did very well in school. Attended Munroe College, earned a scholarship to University in England and travelled the world. He eventually obtained an excellent job in the banking sector, despite job issues after high school. Courted and married Lois, despite knowing that his mother would not approve. Loves his mother and tries to be patient with her. Loves his wife because he defies his mother by secretly dating her, then marrying her.

CHAPTER SUMMARIES Act 1 This act is about Mama's aspirations for Len. She encourages her only son to study hard and leave the company of girls like Pearl, but instead, to set his sights on Margaret, the pastor's near white daughter (her race is implied in the play). We learn that, as he grows up, he goes against his mother's desires and secretly dates a dark skinned girl (Lois), with Pa Ben as his coconspirator. He soon leaves Jamaica to attend University in England. He communicates very little with Mama, initially, until Pa Ben wrote him a letter explaining how this absence of communication affects Mama, and could possibly affect him. Over time they learn that Len has visited many countries around the world, obtained a PhD, and has married Lois. Mama is pleased and proud about all his achievements, with the exception being his marriage to Lois. He returns home, without Mama's knowledge, and pays her an unexpected visit. Mama is pleased and proud, but takes him into her house to talk to him about her disappointment in his marriage to Lois. He also finds out that Mama has been scammed by George McFarlane and invites him to his home, in Kingston, for a meeting. They discuss a business deal, but George makes a speedy retreat when he discovers Len's identity, and his possible knowledge of the scam. We also discover that Lois is frustrated in her marriage because she wants attention from her husband, and that Mama treats Lois with open disdain. Act 2, Scene 1 This scene outlines the manner in which Len was terrorized and bullied in school. It also highlights the fact that, despite his high scholastic achievement, Len cannot get a job at the bank. In contrast, however, George McFarlane, aka Duncey Mongoose, was offered a job in the bank, where he quickly advanced to the position of bank manager. Unfortunately, he took advantage of his position and embezzled the bank's money. He was fired as a result, and invested a lot of time and effort in ABC Housing, where he started scamming people like Mama. We then see Len explaining to Lois how he found George, by baiting him with the rumour that he would be open

to 'under the table' deals. He asks Lois if she knows George, since they worked together at the same bank, but she denies it. The audience's curiosity is piqued, however, by how familiar George behaves with Lois, especially when he calls Lois to enquire about her mother in law's last name. When Lois hangs up on him, the scene ends with George trying to locate Mama on his own. Act 2, Scene 2 Len is amusing himself with George's documents and Mama shows up. She wants Len to help George but Len refuses. They have a terrible fight in which Mama calls Len ungrateful and he reacts by raising a chair to hit her. She blames his actions on his 'Black Sambo' wife whom she believes has 'obeahed' him. She leaves with the statement that she must set him free, implying that she is going to set 'obeah' on Lois, to get her out of Len's life. Act 2, Scene 3 Len pays a visit to Pa Ben, hoping to get the address of an obeah woman in order to protect Lois from the obeah that he is sure that Mama intends to work on her. Pa Ben tries to disuade him, but Len does not relent. Pa Ben finally gives him a name of an obeah woman in Kingston. Len then asks Pa Ben to visit her for him because he has a reputation to maintain. Mama arrives, Len leaves, and Pa tries to get information from Mama regarding her threat to Lois. He is unsuccessful in his attempts to glean information from Mama and decides to play sick in the morning in order to stall her. Act 2, Scene 4 This is a hilarious scene where Len attempts to follow the directions of the fraudulent obeah woman that Pa Ben recommended. Act 2, Scene 5 Mama pays George a visit and tries to console him. She tells him that Lois controls Len and is preventing him from lending George the money. She tells him that she will take care of Lois. Act 2, Scene 6 George arrives at Lois' house and blackmails her. Len comes home and she reveals the story of how she embezzled the banks money and got caught and blackmailed by George. Len supports his wife and, in turn, blackmails George into silence regarding Lois' embezelment. Len then shares the traumatic story of Margaret's love letter with his family, Mama reacts by attacking George, who makes a speedy retreat. Pa Ben, Len and Lois then pray for Mama's deliverance from the boomerang. THEMES - click here for ADDITIONAL NOTES Racial and class discrimination

Religion and Obeah Education vs. progress Dreams and Aspirations Love Love and family relationship Power and authority GLOSSARY OF TERMS Batter batter - To knock about aimlessly.

Breed - To get pregnant.

'Burn a candle on his head' - To work obeah on him.

Drudge - To constantly wear something.

Duppy - A ghost.

Hold Dog - Literally means to 'hold the dog'

Kirrout - To literally 'clear out', or get away.

Lawd - An exclamation meaning 'Lord'.

Malice - To deliberately not speak to someone for an extended period of time.

Primps - To show off.

Tot - A little of something.

A Contemplation Upon Flowers

This is the OPINION of one individual, The physical structure of this poem has been which might not coincide with the views of altered from the original layout in the text. others. Brave flowers, 1.that I could 5.gallant it like you, and be as little vain; You come abroad and make a 6.harmless show, And to your beds of earth again; You are not proud, you know your birth, For your embroidered garments are from earth. You do obey your months and times, but I would have it ever spring; My fate would know no winter, never die, nor think of such a thing; Oh that I could 2.my bed of earth but view, 1.and smile and look as cheerfully as you. Oh teach me to see death and not to fear, But rather to take truce; 3.How often have I seen you at a 6.bier, And there look fresh and spruce; You fragrant flowers then 7.teach me that my breath like yours may sweeten and perfume my death. Berry, J. 'A Contemplation Upon Flowers' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005.

LITERAL MEANING The persona wishes that he could be as brave as the flowers, who know who they owe their life to - the earth. They know their place and obey the order, or cycle, of life and death. The persona wishes that he could be this way because he is the opposite, he wants to live forever. The persona wants the flowers to teach him NOT to fear death, but to accept it.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE Stanza 1, line: The persona is wishing that he could be as brave as the flower. This implies that the persona does not think that he is brave, but a coward in the face of death.

Stanza 2, line 14: This is another comparison between the persona and the plant. The persona wishes that he could look death in the face and be cheerful, like the plant. Again, this emphasizes that he lacks.

2. EUPHEMISM This phrase is a replacement for the word death. It softens death and makes it appear welcoming and pleasant.

3. IRONY It is ironic that the flowers look so fresh and alive when it is facing its very mortality, on the top of a casket. Death is a sad affair, and the flowers are at their best when ushering people back to the earth. 4. PERSONIFICATION The persona is speaking directly to flowers and giving them human qualities, therefore, the whole poem is an example of the use of personification at it's best. He even goes as far as to ask the flower to teach him things that will make him be like it. IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 5. 'galant' This word literally means brave or heroic. The word, however, also brings to mind adjectives such as charming and attentive, like a knight would be in olden days. So the plants are not simply brave in their acceptance of death, but they are also gracious. 6. 'harmless show' The word harmless sticks out in this phrase because it implies that the flowers are demure and quiet in their beauty. 7. 'bier' This is a movable frame on which a coffin or a corpse is placed before burial or cremation, or on which they are carried to the grave. 8. 'teach me that my breath like yours may sweeten and perfume my death' This implies that if death is not feared, then the person will go into deaths arms joyfully, without any sorrow, remorse or bitterness. TONE The tone of the poem is admiration, because the persona literally admires the flowers for its accepting attitude towards death. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood, or atmosphere of the poem is a pensive one. The persona is thinking about death, how he relates to it versus how others relate to it. CONTRAST A contrast in this poem is the persona's fear of death, versus the flowers'acceptance of it. THEMATIC CATEGORY Nature Death

A Stone's Throw
The physical structure of this poem has been altered from the original layout in the text. 5.We shouted out 'We've got her! Here she is! It's her all right '. We caught her. There she was 1.A decent-looking woman, you'd have said, (6.They often are) Beautiful, but 7.dead scared, 8.Tousled - we roughed her up A little, 9.nothing much And not the first time By any means She'd felt men's hands Greedy over her body 10.But ours were virtuous, Of course. And if our fingers bruised Her shuddering skin, These were love-bites, compared To the 2.hail of kisses of stone, The last assault And 11.battery, frigid rape, 3.To come 12.Of right. For justice must be done Specially when It 13.tastes so good. And then - 14.this guru, Preacher, God-merchant, God-knows-what Spoilt the whole thing, Speaking to her

This is the OPINION of one individual, which might not coincide with the views of others. LITERAL MEANING A crowd, of which the persona forms a part, has caught a woman. The persona implies to the reader that the woman is not decent. She was beautiful, but scared because she had gotten 'roughed up' a little by the crowd. The persona states that she has experienced men's hands on her body before, but this crowd's hands were virtuous. He also makes a proviso that if this crowd bruises her, it cannot be compared to what she has experienced before. He also speaks about a last assault and battery to come. He justifies this last assault by calling it justice, and it is justice that feels not only right, but good. The crowd's 'justice' is placed on hold by the interruption of a preacher, who stops to talk to the lady. He squats on the ground and writes something that the crowd cannot see. Essentially, the preacher judges them, thereby allowing the lady to also judge the crowd, leading to the crowd inevitably judging itself. The crowd walks away from the lady, still holding stones [which can be seen as a metaphor for judgments] that can be thrown another day.

15.(Should never speak to them) Squatting on the ground - her level, Writing in the dust Something we couldn't read. 16.And saw in her Something we couldn't see At least until 17.He turned his eyes on us, Her eyes on us, Our eyes upon ourselves. 18.We walked away Still holding stones That we may throw Another day Given the urge. Mitchel, E. 'A Stone's Throw' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. SARCASM The persona is making the point that the lady was in fact NOT decent looking. 2. PERSONIFICATION This device is particularly effective because the word 'kisses' is used. Kiss implies something pleasant, but it is actually utilized to emphasize something painful that has happened to the lady; she was stoned. 3. PUN

Title: The title of the poem is itself a pun. A stone's throw is used by many people in the Caribbean to describe a close distance. eg. "She lives a stone's throw away". The other use of the title is to highlight the content of the poem. It is a figurative stoning, or judging, of a woman.

Line 23: There is a play on the word 'come'. The persona is telling us that the crowd is planning to rape the lady, this act is to come, or occur, in the near future. Come, in this context, also means to ejaculate, the culmination of the act of sex. The rapists in the crowd also plan to 'come'.

4. ALLUSION (biblical) The content of the poem alludes to the story of Mary Magdalene in the Christian Bible. See John 8 v 5-7. IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 5. 'we' This immediately tells the reader that the persona is in a crowd, which highlights to us that the mob mentality exists in this context. The crowd acts as one entity. 6. 'they' The use of this word immediately alienates the lady and places her in the scornful realm of the 'other'. 7. 'dead scared'

The use of the term 'dead' to describe the lady's emotional state of fearfulness implies that she is extremely frightened, it is beyond regular fear. 8. 'tousled' This words mean to be handled roughly and, as a result, to look disorderly and disheveled. It is the perfect word to use in this context because it adds to the sexual innuendo that exists throughout the poem. 9. 'nothing much' The persona disregards the damage that they have done to the lady. He admits to the rough treatment, but tries to make himself, and the crowd, look good despite their wrong doing. 10. 'But ours were virtuous, Of course' This is almost like a tongue in cheek admittance that their touch was actually the opposite of virtuous. The use of the term 'of course' highlights this interpretation. 11. 'battery' In the Caribbean context, battery refers to the slang term for the rape of an individual, conducted by several people in succession. Therefore, the persona is pointing out the intent of the crowd, or some people in the crowd. 12. 'Of right' This is a clear indication from the persona that he believes that he and the mob are in the right. 13. 'tastes so good' 'Taste', to a lot of individuals, is one of the higher senses. Therefore, when the persona uses this word, he is highlighting the intense pleasure that he anticipates from meting out this 'justice'. 14. 'this guru, Preacher, God-merchant, God-knows-what' The persona's annoyance at this individual for disrupting his fun comes out in this statement. The persona is deliberately being disrespectful. 15. '(Should never speak to them)' This particular line speaks to the alienation that the lady faces. She is grouped scornfully as 'them'. 16. 'And saw in her something we couldn't see' The intruder saw value in the lady, something that the crowd did not see. 17. 'He turned his eyes on us, Her eyes on us, Her eyes upon ourselves.' This speaks to the fact that the preacher and the lady judge the crowd, and, more importantly, the crowd judges itself. The preacher's act of kindness sheds light on the cruelty that is inflicted on the lady by the crowd. 18. 'We walked away Still holding stones' This implies that the crowd still plans to keep judging, and acting on their judgments, as they

see fit. TONE The tone of the poem is mixed. At times it is almost braggadocious, then it becomes sarcastic, moving to scornful. THEMATIC CATEGORY Religion Survival Hypocrasy Oppression Alienation Discrimination

Dreaming Black Boy

The physical structure of this poem has been This is the OPINION of one individual, altered from the original layout in the text. which might not coincide with the views of others. 1.I wish my teacher's eyes wouldn't go past me today. Wish he'd know LITERAL MEANING it's okay to hug me when I kick The poem is about a black boy who wishes that a goal.1.Wish I myself wouldn't he could have the regular things in life. Things hold back when an answer comes. such as a congratulatory hug, to be educated to 2.I'm no woodchopper now the highest level and to travel without like all ancestor's. harassment. The persona yearns to stop fighting for the basic right to be successful, to rise 1.I wish I could be educated above societal expectations. to the best of tune up, and earn good money and 3.not sink to lick boots.1.I wish I could go on every crisscross way of the globe and no persons or powers or hotel keepers would make it a waste. 1.I wish life wouldn't spend me out opposing.1.Wish same way creation would have me stand it would have me stretch, and hold high, 2.my voice Paul Robeson's, my 4.inside eye a sun. Nobody wants to say hello to nasty answers. 1.I wish 2.torch throwers of night would burn lights for decent times. 1.Wish 2.plotters in pyjamas would pray for themselves. Wish people wouldn't talk as if I dropped from Mars 1.I wish only boys were scared behind bravados, for I could suffer. I could suffer a big big lot. 1.I wish nobody would want to earn the terrible burden I can suffer. King, H. 'Dreaming Black Boy' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmond-McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd,

LITERARY DEVICES 1. REPETITION: The constant repetition of the phrase 'I wish' points to a yearning, a desperation even, for the basic things that life has to offer. The repetition gives credence to the idea that the persona might believe that his wishes are actually dreams that might not come true. 2. ALLUSION:

Stanza 1, lines 6 and 7, alludes to slavery, the state of lacking control over one's own life and destiny. The fact that reference is made to this hints to how the persona feels about his life. He does

2005.

not feel as if he has control over it.

Stanza 3, lines 19 to 20, alludes to Paul Robeson, a black intellectual, who attained success despite difficult circumstances. The persona yearns to be like this person. He wants room to stretch intellectually. Stanza 4, lines 22 to 25, alludes to the klu klux klan. Burning lights refers to the burning crosses and the pyjamas alludes to their white outfits that look like pyjamas. The persona wants them to leave him alone, find something else to do other than make his life difficult, as well as contributing to his wishes remaining a dream.

IMPORTANT WORDS / PHRASE 3.'not sink to lick boots' This refers to the concept of being subservient. To have no choice but to kowtow to people in order to get ahead. 4. 'Inside eye a sun' This refers to the persona's mind. He wants to show how intelligent he is without fear. He wants his mind to be a sun. Sun represents brightness and light, that is how he wants his intelligence to shine. TONE The tone/mood of the poem is one of sadness. The persona is thinking about how he is treated and he reacts to this in a sad way. He keeps wishing that things were different. THEMATIC CATEGORY: Survival Oppression Desire/dreams Racism

God's Grandeur
The physical structure of this poem has been altered from the original layout in the text. The world is 7.charged with the 8.grandeur of God. 1.It will flame out, like shining from shook foil: 1.It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. 2.Why do men then now not reck 3.his rod? 4.Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; 9.And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; 5.And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil is bare now, 10.nor can foot feel, being shod. And for all this, nature is never spent; 5.There lives the dearest freshness deep down things; And though the last lights off the black West went Oh, morning, 5.at the brown brink eastward, springs Because the 11.Holy Ghost over the bent 6.World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings. Hopkins, G.M 'God's Grandeur' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005. This is the OPINION of one individual, which might not coincide with the views of others. LITERAL MEANING The poet expresses that the world is full of God's glory and greatness. This greatness, however, will burn out in a dramatic manner because of man who smears, smudges and pollutes everything without consciousness. Nature is resilient, however, and will persevere from deep in the earth and burst forth, counteracting all of man's ill.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE

Line 3: This line indicates that the world will burn out in a brilliant way. Think of how shiny and reflective foil can be, that is the brilliance with which the earth will temporarily burn out. Line 4: Think of the manner in which oil slowly spreads across water, eventually taking over as much of the surface as possible. That is the way in which the world gathers to a greatness.

2. RHETORICAL QUESTION The persona questions why men do not care about God's wrath. He implies that this wrath is sure

because the Earth is charged, or commanded with the grandeur of God. 3. ALLUSION (biblical) This 'rod' refers to the rod of correction that is found in the Christian Bible. See 2 Samuel 7:14. This line implies that God will punish man for being reckless with the world. 4. REPETITION This device highlights the damage that man has done to the world. Trodding implies that one walks, or tramples, in order to crush or injure. 5. ALLITERATION

Lines 10-11: This device emphasizes the impact that man has had on his environment. He has impacted every crevice of the world in some negative way, as implied by words such as 'smudge'. Lines 14-15: This device clarifies that the Earth is resilient, no matter what man does to harm it, it will bounce back. Lines 18-19: This device simply re-iterates the resilience of the Earth, we can actually visualize the sun rising.

6. PERSONIFICATION When one broods, they are pondering on something. Therefore, the world ponders, but in a positive way, with warm breasts. This implies that it feels good because it has persevered despite of man's interference. IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 7. 'charged' This word implies intensity, impassioned. Therefore, the world has been gifted with intensity of the greatness of God. 8. 'grandeur' This implies that something is awesome, or awe inspiring. Therefore, the world is infused with the 'greatness' of God. 9. 'And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; Everything in the world is tainted and influenced by man's presence. 10. 'nor can foot feel, being shod' This means that man is blind to the damage that he has caused. If one is wearing shoes, it protects them from stones etc, therefore, man's consciousness is deadened by his inability to see the damage that he has caused. 11. 'Holy Ghost over the bent' This can be interpreted to mean that salvation is on its way, it also implies that salvation is sure because when one is bent on something, it implies a strong determination.

MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is pensive because the persona is reflecting on man's influence on the world. TONE The tone of the poem is one of confidence and formality. THEMATIC CATEGORY Religion Nature

Forgive My Guilt
This is the OPINION of one individual, The physical structure of this poem has been which might not coincide with the views of altered from the original layout in the text. others. Not always sure what things called sins may be, I am sure of one sin I have done. It was years ago, and I was a boy, I lay in the 1.frost flowers with a gun, 2.the air ran blue as the flowers; I held my breath, 2.two birds on golden legs slim as dream things 2.ran like quick silver on the 1.golden sand, my gun went off, they ran with broken wings into the sea, I ran to fetch them in, but they swam with their heads high out to sea, They cried like two sorrowful high flutes, With 1.jagged ivory bones where wings should be. For days I heard them when I walked that headland, crying out to their kind 4.in the blue, The other plovers were going over south on silver wings leaving these broken two. The cries went out one day; but I still hear them over all the sounds of sorrow 5.in war or peace I ever have heard, time cannot 6.drown them, 1.Those slender flutes of sorrow never cease, 3.Two airy things forever denied the air! I never knew how their lives at last were split, but I have hoped for years all that is wild, Airy, and beautiful will forgive my guilt. Coffin, R.P.T. 'Forgive My Guilt' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005. LITERAL MEANING An adult is reminiscing about a traumatic childhood experience. The persona went hunting and shot two birds, plovers. He suffers extreme guilt about this action in adulthood. The poem describes the event, the actions of the bird, how he reacts, and, by the last line, asks the birds to forgive his guilt.

LITERARY DEVICES 1.METAPHOR

Line 4: The nature of frost is that it covers everything in its path, therefore, when the flowers are compared to frost, it implies that there were a lot of flowers, enough to hide the boy from the birds.

Line 8: The sand is being compared to gold, the colour. It is emphasizing how beautiful the setting was. Line 12: This metaphor emphasizes the injuries that the birds sustained. The bones are compared to jagged ivory, which is a direct contrast to the smooth feathers that existed before the injury.

Lines 20-21: The birds are compared to a flute, an instrument that plays beautiful music. This emphasizes the sadness that is related to their death.

2. SIMILE

Line 5: The air and the flowers are being compared, both are blue. Lines 6-7: This simile offers a beautiful visual image of the birds. Dreams are beautiful, and the birds are compared to this. Line 7: The speed of the birds is being highlighted, while also maintaining that beautiful visual imagery.

3. PUN The pun is between the words 'airy' and 'air'. 'Airy' means light and beautiful, while 'air' refers to the sky and flying. The poet is lamenting that these light and beautiful things can no longer fly and feel the pleasure of air rushing past them. IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 4. 'the blue' This literally translates to the sky. The birds were crying out to the other birds that were flying away. 5. 'in war or peace' This phrase highlights the fact that the persona feels extremely guilty about killing the birds, so much so that he thinks about it all the time. Their cries went out for literally one day, but he thinks about the birds all the time. 6. 'drown' It is important that the poet chooses to use the word drown, because it means death. He cannot get rid of the sounds of sorrow that the birds made while they were dying. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is nostalgia and guilt. TONE The tone of the poem is sad. The poet's response to his guilt is sadness. THEMATIC CATEGORY Childhood experiences Nature Guilt Loss of innocence Desire/dreams Death

It is the Constant Image of your Face

The physical structure of this poem has been altered from the original layout in the text. It is the 3.constant image of your face framed in my hands as you knelt before my chair the 4.grave attention of 1.your eyes surveying me amid my 5.world of knives that stays with me, 1.perennially accuses and convicts me of 2.heart's-treachery: and neither you nor I can plead excuses for you, you know, can claim no loyalty my land takes precedence of all my loves. Yet I beg mitigation, pleading guilty for you, my dear, accomplice of my heart made, without words, 6.such blackmail with your beauty and proffered me such dear protectiveness that I confess without remorse or shame my still-fresh treason to1.my country and hope that she, my other, dearest love will pardon freely, not attaching blame being your mistress (or your match) in tenderness. Brutus, D. 'It is the Constant Image of your Face' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005. LITERARY DEVICES 1. PERSONIFICATION

This is the OPINION of one individual, which might not coincide with the views of others. LITERAL MEANING The persona reflects on the image of someone he cares for. This love interest accused him, with their eyes, of breaking their heart. The persona admits that both of them (he and the love interest) can make no excuses for his behaviour because the love interest does not take precedence over his land, or country. Despite this fact, the persona begs for mercy, pleading guilty for being seduced by his love interest's beauty. This person protects him dearly and he admits that, as a result of this, he has committed treason against his country. He hopes that his country, his other dearest love, will pardon him because he loves both his country and his love interest.

Lines 4, 6-7: The love interest's eyes constantly accuses and convicts the persona. This device highlights the extent to which the persona has hurt this person. Lines 18-20: The persona hopes that his country, his other dearest love, will forgive him for the treasonous act of loving another. This highlights the patriotism that defines the persona's relationship to his country.

2. OXYMORON The term heart's-treachery implies that the heart, something so vital and indicative of love, has committed a terrible crime. It highlights the heartbreak that the persona has caused his love interest. IMPORTANT WORD/ PHRASES 3. 'constant image' This implies that the persona constantly, or always, remembers his love interest's face. It emphasizes the guilt he feels in relation to this person. 4. 'grave attention' The love interest's eyes display grave attention. The word grave implies intensely serious, so this person is truly hurt. 5. 'world of knives' A knife inflicts pain and destroys. The persona, therefore, is identifying his world with causing pain. 6. 'such blackmail with your beauty' To blackmail someone is to have something over them that puts their will in your control. The love interest's beauty has captivated the persona in such a way that he betrays his country with this person. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. The persona is thinking about his two loves and how he is torn between the two. TONE The tone of the poem is sadness and guilt. The persona is guilt ridden over this love triangle and sadness permeates the words that he uses to describe it. THEMATIC CATEGORY Guilt Patriotism Places Desires/ dreams Love

Le Loupgarou
The physical structure of this poem has been altered from the original layout in the text. A 5.curious 1.tale that threaded through town Through greying women sewing under eaves, Was how his greed had brought old Le Brun down, 1.greeted by slowly shutting jalouses When he approached them in 6.white linenlinen suit, Pink glasses, cork hat and 2.tap-tapping cane, 3.A dying man licensed to sell sick fruit, Ruined by fiends with whom he'd made a bargain. It seems one night, these 4.Christian witches said, He changed himself into an 7.Alsatian hound, A slathering lycenthrope, hot on a scent, 1.But his own watchman dealt the thing a wound Which howled and lugged its entrails, trailing wet With blood back to its doorstep, almost dead. Walcott, D. 'Le Loupgarou' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005. This is the OPINION of one individual, which might not coincide with the views of others. LITERAL MEANING This poem tells the tale of old LeBrun, a man that was rumoured by the townspeople to be a loupgarou. Old women would relax under eaves and gossip about Le Brun, while literally shutting him out of their lives with their closing windows. The prevailing gossip, in this poem, is that he transformed into a hound one night, but was dealt a wound by his own watchman. He then lugged his entrails back to his doorstep, almost dead.

LITERARY DEVICES 1. ALLITERATION

Lines 1-3: This alliteration gives the reader a visual imagery of the manner in which the gossip about Le Brun spread. A thread is thin and fine and can weave itself in any crevice, sometimes in a very non-linear and sinuous manner. This describes the way in which the gossip spread. It managed to touch the whole village in an almost insiduous, and complete, manner. Line 5: This literary device speaks to the results of the gossip. Le Brun is alienated from the people of the town. Their fascination with him, however, is evident by the fact that they slowly shut their jalouses/windows. The lack of speed implies that they are watching him, while also alienating him.

Lines 17-21: This alliteration highlights the severity of the loupgarou's injuries. You can almost see and hear the wetness of the blood, as well as see the entrails trailing wet through the use of this device.

2. ONOMATOPOEIA The tap-tapping cane is a part of Le Brun's physical description. He appears to stand out, in terms of his physical appearance, down to the use of his cane. 3. PARADOX This statement appears nonsensical at first, but actually makes sense in the long run. The loupgarou is, in fact, a man who is leading a half life as man and beast, so he is not really 'living'. The fact that he can pass on the 'gift' of becoming a werewolf clarifies the fact that Le Brun is actually 'licensed to sell sick fruit', or pass on his sick 'gift'. 4. OXYMORON The words 'Christian' and 'witches', placed together, emphasizes the dual nature of the women in the village. They are good Christian women who mean no harm, but their fear of the 'difference' that they sense in Le Brun (contributed by his mode of dress), leads them to react in an unchristian manner, like witches, in dealing with him. * IRONY It is ironic that Le Brun's own watchman dealt him a lethal blow. IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 5.curious This word emphasizes the strangeness of the story that is circulated about Le Brun. 6.white linen-linen suit, pink glasses, cork hat (and cane) This outfit would let anyone be seen in a crowd, or other wise. It emphasizes Le Brun's difference , hence, one of the reasons that he would be the focus of gossip. Imagine an individual dressed in the combination below:

7.Alsatian hound, a slathering lycenthrope This description of Le Brun displays the distaste that is felt towards him in his animal form. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. TONE The tone of the poem is calm and reflective. The persona is simply recounting a piece of gossip.

THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Supernatural

O'l Higue
The physical structure of this poem has been altered from the original layout in the text. You think I like this 5.stupidness! 6.gallivanting all night without skin, 1.burning myself out like cane-fire 2.to frighten the foolish? 2.And for what? A few drops of baby blood? 2.You think I wouldn't rather take my blood seasoned in fat black-pudding, like everyone else? And don't even talk 'bout the pain of salt and having to bend these old bones down to count a thousand grains of rice! If only babies didn't smell so nice! And if I could only stop hearing 3.the soft, soft call of that 7.pure blood running in new veins, 4.singing the sweet song of life tempting an old, dry-up woman who been 8.holding her final note for years and years, afraid of the dying hum ... Then again, if I didn't fly and come to that 9.fresh pulse in the middle of the night, 2.how would you, mother, name your ancient dread? 2.And who to blame for the murder inside your head ...? Believe me As long as it have women giving birth a poor ol' higue like me can never dead. McWatt, M. 'Ol' Higue' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005. LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE Cane-fire has a very distinct quality. It burns very quickly and its presence is felt through it's pungent smell. Therefore, when the Ol' Higue compares herself to cane fire in her fireball state, it This is the OPINION of one individual, which might not coincide with the views of others. LITERAL MEANING In this poem, the Ol' Higue / soucouyant tells of her frustration with her lifestyle. She does not like the fact that she sometimes has to parade around, in the form of a fireball, without her skin at night. She explains that she has to do this in order to scare people, as well as to acquire baby blood. She explains that she would rather acquire this blood via cooked food, like every-one else. Her worst complaint is the pain of salt, as well as having to count rice grains. She exhibits some regret for her lifestyle but implies that she cannot resist a baby's smell, as well as it's pure blood. The 'newness' of the baby tempts the Ol' Higue, and she cannot resist because she is an old woman who fears death, which can only be avoided by consuming the baby's blood. She affirms her usefulness in the scheme of things, however, by claiming that she provides mothers with a name for their fears (this being the death of a child), as well as some-one to blame when the evil that they wish for their child, in moments of tired frustration, comes true. She implies that she will never die, so long as women keep having babies.

implies that she uses a lot of energy quickly, and is very visible. 2. RHETORICAL QUESTION Stanza 1,line 4: This rhetorical question highlights the scant regard that the Higue has for the average person. She is thoroughly annoyed that she has to literally waste her energy on them. Stanza 1, line 5: This highlights the fact that, again, she is annoyed that she has to expend so much energy to obtain a few drops of baby blood. Stanza 1, lines 6-8: The Ol' Higue is emphasizing the fat that regular people ingest blood too, just in a more palatable manner. She would not mind if she could ingest it in the same manner as well. Stanza 3, lines 22-23: At this point, the Ol' Higue is making excuses for her presence, claiming that she serves an actual purpose in the scheme of life. If a child dies of unknown causes, she can be scapegoated for it. Stanza 3, lines 24-25: 'The murder inside your head' refers to the moments, when out of pure frustration and tiredness, a mother might wish ill on her child. The Ol' Higue is implying that, again, she can be used as a scapegoat if something unfortunate happens to the child. The mother is relieved of bearing the burden of guilt. 3. REPETITION The repetition of the word 'soft' emphasizes the fact that the call of the child's blood has captured and beguiled the Ol' Higue'. She implies that she cannot resist that call. 4. ALLITERATION This device emphasizes the Ol' Higue's dependence, even addiction, to the sweet blood of the baby. IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 5. 'stupidness!' This is a distinctly Caribbean phrase that highlights frustration or scorn. Therefore, it highlights the Ol' Higue's frustration with her lack of self control. 6. 'gallivanting' This term refers to some one 'playing around', having fun. The Ol' Higue is being sarcastic at this point. She is expressing displeasure at having to fly around to seek prey. 7. 'pure blood running in new veins' Babies are often associated with purity, this is what is emphasized here. The Ol' Higue simply cannot resist the lure of new and pure blood. 8. 'holding her final note for years and years, afraid of the dying hum ...' This tells us that the Ol'Higue has been living this desperate existence for a long time. It also implies that she will keep hanging on, despite her frustration. The final line confirms this

point: 'As long as it have women giving birth a poor Ol' Higue like me can never dead' MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. TONE The tone of the poem is slightly bitter and resigned. She accepts that the cycle of her life cannot change. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Supernatural

Once Upon A Time

The physical structure of this poem has been altered from the original layout in the text. This is the OPINION of one individual, which might not coincide with the views of 3.Once upon a time, son, others. they used to laugh with their hearts and laugh with their eyes; LITERAL MEANING but now 4.they only laugh with their teeth, A father is talking to his son and telling him while 1.their ice-block eyes how things used to be. The father tells his son 5.search behind my shadow. that people used to be sincere, but are now superficial and seek only to take from people. There was a time indeed The persona tells his son that he has learnt to they used to 6.shake hands with their hearts; be just like these people, but he does not want but that's gone, son. to be. He wants to be as sincere as his son. Now they shake hands without hearts while their left 7.hands search my empty pockets. 'Feel at home'! 'Come again' ; they say, and when I come again and feel at home, once, twice there will be no thrice for then I find doors shut on me. So I have learnt many things, son. 2.I have learnt to wear many faces like dresses - homeface, officeface, streetface, hostface cocktail face, with all their 2.conforming smiles like a fixed portrait smile. And I have learned, too. to laugh with only my teeth and shake hands without my heart I have also learnt to say, 'Goodbye', when I mean 'Good-riddance' ; to say 'Glad to meet you', without being glad; and to say 'It's been nice talking to you', after being bored. But believe me, son. I want to be what I used to be

LITERARY DEVICES 1. METAPHOR The people's eyes are as cold as ice. This means that there is no warmth or real feeling in the words that they say, or how they behave.This metaphor literally allows you to visualize a block of ice, cold and unwelcoming. 2. SIMILE

Stanza 4, lines 20-21 emphasizes how constantly changing the persona's face is. If you think of how often a woman changes her dress, then that is how

when I was like you. I want 8.unlearn all these muting things. Most of all, I want to relearn how to laugh, for 2.my laugh in the mirror shows only my teeth like a snake's bare fangs! So show me, son, how to laugh; show me how I used to laugh and smile 3.once upon a time when I was like you. Okara, G. 'Once Upon A Time' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005.

often the persona adjusts his personality to suit the people around him. The list of faces that follow this line emphasizes this point. Stanza 4, lines 23-24 compares peoples faces to smiles in a portrait. If you think about a portrait, it is usually very formal and stiff, even uncomfortable. Therefore, the implication is that the smiles are actually fake and stiff. They are conforming, or trying to fit into, a preconceived mold that is set up by societal expectations.

Stanza 6, lines 38-40 compares the persona's laugh to a snakes. When you think of a snake, words such as sneaky and deceitful come to mind. Therefore, the implication is that the persona is fake, just like the people he despises.

3. REPETITION This phrase is repeated at the beginning and the end of the poem. This usually signals the beginning of a fairy tale. Therefore, it is implied that the persona is nostalgic about the past. IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 4.'they only laugh with their teeth' This emphasizes the insincerity of the people around the persona. To laugh with your teeth means that only the bottom half of your face is engaged, the laugh does not reach the eyes. 5. 'shake hands with their heart' To shake hands with your heart implies a strong handshake that is sincere, this is the opposite of what now occurs between people. 6. 'search behind my shadow' This implies that the person cannot look the persona in the eye, they are looking everywhere but there. Looking someone in the eye during a conversation implies that one is sincerely interested in what you have to say. Not being able to do so implies shiftiness. 7. 'hands search my empty pockets' People are only 'seemingly' nice to get something from you. So, they smile with you, but it is not sincere, they are seeking to get something from you. 8. 'unlearn all these muting things' The word mute means silence, think of what happens when you press the mute button on

the TV remote. Therefore, there is an implication that the insincere actions that the persona describes are muting, they block, or silence, good intentions. Hence, the persona wants to unlearn these habits. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is nostalgic. The persona is remembering how things used to be when he was young and innocent, like his son. TONE The tone of the poem is sad. The poet's response to his nostalgia is sadness. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Childhood experiences Hypocrasy Loss of innocence Desire/dreams Death * It is IRONIC that the persona is behaving in the exact way that he despises, however, and there is an implication that things cannot go back to what he remembers, due to the influence of societal expectations.

Orchids
The physical structure of this poem has been altered from the original layout in the text. This is the OPINION of one individual, which might not coincide with the views of I leave this house others. 3.box pieces of the five week life I've gathered. LITERAL MEANING I'll send them on The persona is moving from a house that she to fill spaces in my future life. has lived in for five weeks. She has sent her belongings to her future home, but one item One thing is left remains in her old space, an orchid. The a spray of orchid someone gave persona clarifies that she was gifted the orchid, 4.from bouquet one who but implies that it holds no value because the makes a ritual of flower-giving sent. gifting of orchids is habitual for the person who gave her. She describes the flower as odourless, The orchids have no fragrance but attractive to see. She watered the orchid but purple petals draw you once, expecting it to die, but it survived. It not to look at the 2.purple heart. only survived, but bloomed. The persona contemplates plucking the bloom and pressing I watered them once it between the pages of a book. The purpose of when 1.the blossoms were full blown this is to allow her to appreciate the flower. like polished poems. I was sure they'd wilt and I would toss them out with the five week litter. They were stubborn. I starved them. They would not die. This morning the bud at the stalk's tip 5.unfurled. I think I'll pluck the 6.full-blown blooms press them between 7.pages of memory. Perhaps in their thin dried transparency I'll discover their 8.peculiar poetry. Simmonds-McDonald, H. 'Orchids' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005. LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE The orchid's full blown blossoms are being compared to a polished poem. The word polished in this comparison implies perfection, shiny and pleasant to read.

2. PUN The purple heart literally refers to the splash of color in the center of the orchid's bloom, but it could also refer to the bravery of the flower. This is so because a purple heart, in the army, is a medal that a soldier receives for bravery on the battle field. IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 3. 'box pieces' This phrase implies that the persona's life is literally in boxes, all her belongings are stored and ready to be moved. 4. 'from a bouquet one who makes a ritual of flower-giving sent.' This phrase implies that the persona places no value in the orchid because it's giver gifted it without any sentiment attached. 5. 'unfurled' This word literally means to open. Therefore, despite the persona's attempts at killing the orchid, through starvation, it not only survived, but flourished. 6. 'full-blown blooms' These full-blown blooms represent the flower at its peak, where it is most full of life, as well as where it is most usually appreciated. 7. 'pages of memory' This refers to the practice of placing a flower between the pages of a book, thereby drying, or killing the flower. The purpose of this act is to keep the flower for nostalgic reasons. 8. 'peculiar poetry' This phrase highlights the persona's desire to discover the value in the flower. It is very IRONIC, however, that she would choose to kill it in order to achieve this goal. Usually people place value in a living flower that can give pleasure through its beauty. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is pensive, or thoughtful. The persona is thinking about the lack of value that she places in the orchid. TONE The tone of the poem is one of almost bored musing. THEMATIC CATEGORY Nature Survival Desire/ dreams Death

Sonnet Composed Upon A Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802

The physical structure of this poem has been This is the OPINION of one individual, altered from the original layout in the text. which might not coincide with the views of others. Earth has not anything to show more 4.fair: Dull would he be of soul who could pass by LITERAL MEANING A sight so touching in its 5.majesty: The persona in this poem is reflecting on the 1.This City now doth, like a garment, wear perfection of the city. He believes that there is The beauty of the morning; silent, bare, Ships, towers, domes, theatres and temples Lie nothing on Earth so beautiful as the city in the morning. Only a dull person would not open upon the fields, and to the sky; appreciate such a majestic sight. He is awed by All bright and glittering in the smokeless air. the calm of the city. 2.Never did sun more beautifully 6.steep In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill; Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! 3.The river glideth at his own steep will: Dear God! 4.the very houses seem asleep; And all that mighty heart is lying still! Wordsworth, W. 'Sonnet Composed Upon A Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005. LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE The persona compares the manner in which the beauty of the morning settles over the city, to that of a garment on a body. This emphasizes the perfection of the beauty of the morning, just as a garment flows smoothly over a body. 2. PERSONIFICATION

Lines 9-10: The sun is referred to as a male who rises sharply and beautifully. This emphasizes the beauty of the city in the morning. The use of this personification also helps the reader to personalize this beauty.

Line 12: Like the sun, the river is personalized as well. This allows the reader to see the river as real, instead of a thing. It comes alive and we can visualize it's movement, gliding, as beautiful.

Line 13: When some-one is asleep, they are peaceful. Therefore, when the persona describes the houses as sleeping, he is emphasizing the peace that exists in the city in the morning. The inhabitants of the houses are asleep, therefore the houses are quiet and peaceful.

IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 4. 'fair' The word fair, in this context, literally means beautiful. The persona is setting the stage for the reader, introducing the fact that the city is beautiful. 5. 'majesty' This word implies that the city is regal in it's splendour. Therefore, it is beyond beautiful and has become stately. 6. 'steep' This word describes the way in which the sun ascends into the sky, it is stressed that it does so in beautiful manner. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is pensive, or thoughtful. The persona is expressing his thoughts, and reaction to, the city in the morning. TONE The tone of the poem is one of awe. THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Places Nature

Test Match Sabina Park

The physical structure of this poem has been altered from the original layout in the text. Proudly wearing the 4.rosette of my skin I 5.strut into Sabina 3.England boycotting excitement bravely, 6.something badly amiss. Cricket. Not the game they play at Lords, the crowd - 1.whoever saw a crowd at a cricket match? - are caged 7.vociferous partisans, quick to take offence. 8.England sixty eight for none at lunch. 1.'What sort o battin dat man? dem kaaan play cricket again, praps dem should-a-borrow 2.Lawrence Rowe!' And on it goes, 9.the wicket slow as the batting and the crowd restless. 1.'Eh white bwoy, how you brudders dem does sen we sleep so? Me a pay monies fe watch dis foolishness? Cho! So I try to explain in my Hampshire drawl about conditions in Kent, about 10.sticky wickets and muggy days and the monsoon season in Manchester but fail to convince even myself. The crowd's 11.loud 'busin drives me out 12.skulking behind a tarnished rosette somewhat frayed now but unable, quite, to conceal a 13.blushing nationality. Brown, S. 'Test Match Sabina Park' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005. LITERARY DEVICES 1. RHETORICAL QUESTION

This is the OPINION of one individual, which might not coincide with the views of others. LITERAL MEANING The persona, a white man, proudly enters Sabina Park to watch a cricket match between England and the West Indies. The persona notices that the game is slow and that the crowd is not reacting well. He is, in fact, initially shocked that there is a crowd at all because this is usually not the case at Lords. By lunch, England is sixty eight for none, and the crowd gets abusive. They even state that maybe they should borrow Lawrence Rowe. The persona tries to explain the reason behind the slow pace of the British side, but fails to convince even himself. His embarrassment at England's performance has him skulking out of the venue.

Stanza 2, lines 6-7: This question reveals that, despite the fact that cricket is a popular sport in England, the venues for the matches are not crowded. This question could also point to the fact that Sabina Park was very crowded.

Stanza 3, line 10: This question represents the general frustration of the West Indians in the crowd. They are annoyed that the cricket match is progressing so slowly, hence their annoyance. Stanza 4, lines 16-18: These questions imply that the West Indian crowd's level of frustration has escalated.

2. ALLUSION The allusion to Lawrence Rowe, a very colourful and successful West Indian cricketer, emphasizes the fact that the match is slow and boring. 3. SARCASM To 'boycott' is to abstain, or to stop, from doing something. Therefore, the persona is being sarcastic because excitement is a good thing, people usually boycott for something negative. Therefore, the persona is, again, highlighting the slow and boring pace of the cricket match. IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 4.'rosette of my skin' Rosette implies a reddish colour, or tint, to the skin, that sometimes resembles a rose. This description immediately identifies the race of the persona as white. The persona is proud of his race, as he enters Sabina Park. 5.'strut 'This word means to walk proudly. It emphasizes the fact that the persona is proudly walking into Sabina Park. 6.'something badly amiss' The persona is jolted by the fact that the match is going slowly. The word 'amiss' implies wrong, the game should not be going so slowly. 7.'vociferous partisans' Vociferous means to be very noisy and clamorous and patisan is a person who shows biased, emotional allegiance. Therefore, the West Indian crowd was extremely noisy in their support of their team. They were also very unappreciative of the slow pace of the match. 8.'England sixty eight for none at lunch' While this is a good score, it never-the-less highlights the slowness of the match, hence the fact that the experience, for the crowd, was far from exciting. 9.'the wicket slow' The purpose of the wicket is to 'out' the opposing side. Therefore, no 'outing' is occurring, the wickets are standing. Everything about the match is going slowly.

10.'sticky wickets' This implies a sticky, or awkward situation. It highlights England's situation. 11.'loud 'busin' The English team was being loudly abused. 12.'skulking behind a tarnished rosette' Skulking implies hiding in shame, and tarnished means tainted. Therefore, the proud Englishman is now embarrassed, and the rosette of his skin is making him stand out. Initially this was a very good thing, but now it is a disadvantage. 13.'blushing nationality'. At this point, the Englishman admits to being embarrassed for his team, as well as himself. *There is a distinct CONTRAST between the beginning of the poem when the persona is proud, and 'struts'. However, by the end of the poem, he is embarrassed and 'skulking' VOICES There are two distinct voices in this poem. The English man and the West Indian. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is tense. TONE The tone of the poem is one of frustration THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Places culture and sports Discrimination

The Woman Speaks to the Man Who Has Employed Her Son
The physical structure of this poem has been altered from the original layout in the text. Her son was first known to her as a sense of unease, 5.a need to cry for little reasons and a metallic tide rising in her mouth each morning. Such signs made her know that she was not alone in her body. She carried him 6.full term 7.tight up under her heart. 1.She carried him like the poor carry hope, hope you get a break or a visa, hope one child go through and remember you. He had no father. The man she made him with had more like him, 2.he was fair-minded he treated all his children with equal and unbiased indifference. She raised him twice, once as mother then as father, 8.set no ceiling on what he could be doctor earth healer, pilot take wings. But now he tells her is working for you, 3.that you value him so much you give him one whole submachine gun for him alone. He says 1.you are like a father to him she is wondering what kind of father would 4.give a son hot and exploding death, when he asks him for bread. She went downtown and bought three and one-third yard of black cloth and a deep crowned and veiled hat for the day he draw 9.his bloody salary. She has no power over you and this at 10.the level of earth, what she has

This is the OPINION of one individual, which might not coincide with the views of others. LITERAL MEANING The persona in this poem is telling the story of a mother who loved her son. The mother became aware of the child's presence when she experienced morning sickness. She placed all her hopes in the child and raised him as a single parent because his father was indifferent to the child's existence. The mother had set no barriers on what the child could become, but is told that he has an employer who values him so much that he is given his own submarine gun. The son tells his mother that his employer is like a father to him, but the mother wonders at the father figure who purposefully endangers his child. She prepares for her son's death by going downtown to buy funeral apparel. The mother feels powerless, so she prays for her child and says protective psalms for him. On the other hand, she reads psalms of retribution for the employer and weeps for her son. Her situation does not look good and is likened to a partner system in which she draws both the first and the last hand.

are prayers and a mother's tears and at 11.knee city she uses them. 4.She says psalms for him she reads psalms for you she weeps for his soul her 12.eyewater covers you. She is throwing a 13.partner with 4.Judas Iscariot's mother the thief on the left hand side of the cross, his mother is the 14.banker, 15.her draw though is first and last for she still throwing two hands as mother and father. She is prepared, she is done.4.Absalom. Goodison, L. 'The Woman Speaks to the Man Who Has Employed Her Son' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005 LITERARY DEVICES 1. SIMILE

Lines 1-2: The persona emphasizes that the mother placed all her hopes in her son. When you are poor, generally, you have no prospects, you only dream and hope. Therefore, the persona uses this metaphor to drive home the mother's dependence on her son's success. Line 17: The employer is being compared to a father figure. This implies that this person fills a gap in the son's life.

2. SARCASM The persona appears to praise the child's father by referring to him as 'fair-minded'. She is, however, chastising him for not only ignoring his son, but all of his other children. 3. IRONY (situational) The son innocently tells his mother that his employer values him so much that he gave him a whole submachine gun for himself. The irony in this situation is that if you really care about someone, you do NOT give them a gun due to the negative results that are bound to occur. 4. ALLUSION (biblical)

Lines 28-29: This line alludes to a particular verse in the Christian Bible, Luke 11 vs 11. The verse questions what the actions of a good father should be.

Lines 38-39: Psalms is a particular chapter in the Christian Bible. In this chapter there are verses for protection, the mother uses those for her son, as well as verses for retribution and rebuking. It is implied that the mother chooses those for the employer.

Lines 43-45: In the Christian Bible, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. Therefore, it does not bode well for the mother if she is in a 'partnership' with this person because she might also be betrayed. The banker in the 'partnership' also happens to be the thief on the left hand side of the cross' mother. This also does not bode well for the mother if the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Line 49: Absalom is the son of David, in the Christian Bible. Absalom betrayed his father, which implies that the mother feels betrayed by her son because she has placed all her hopes in him.

IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 5. 'a need to cry for little reasons and a metallic tide rising in her mouth each morning.' These two symptoms are early signs of pregnancy. The metallic tide refers to vomiting. These signs usually occur in the first trimester of pregnancy. 6. 'full term' This means that the mother carried her son for the full nine months that a pregnancy should last. 7. 'tight up under her heart' This hints at the love that the mother harbours for her child. He was not simply 'close to heart', but 'tight up' under it. It implies that the son holds a special place in her heart. 8. 'set no ceiling' A ceiling is something that blocks you in, you cannot get past it. The mother set no limits on her son, he could be anything he wanted to be. 9. 'his bloody salary' This implies that the mother believes that the result of the son's 'job' will be death. 10. 'the level of earth' The mother has no power to change her son's situation. Earth is used to emphasize her powerlessness on this level, the realm of 'reality'. 11. 'knee city' This refers to the fact that the mother constantly prayed for her child. 12. 'eye water covers you'

This implies that the mother cried constantly for the plight of her son. The fact that it 'covers her' speaks to the high quantity of tears that were shed. 13. 'partner' This is an informal saving scheme set up with a specific number of individuals for the duration of a specific time span. Each person agrees to pay a designated figure on a monthly basis. The 'draws' are decided, meaning who gets the money first, second, third etc, on a monthly basis.The banker then collects the money and gives the monthly pool to the person who is to receive their 'draw'. Therefore, a 'partnership' is dependent upon the honesty of the banker, who could abscond with the money, as well as the honesty of the members of the savings scheme, who could decide NOT to pay after they have received their draw. 14. 'banker' The banker, or financial controller, of this partnership is the mother of a thief. This does not bode well for the mother if the thief on the cross learnt it from his mother. 15. 'her draw though is first and last for she still throwing two hands as mother and father'. This statement implies that though the mother has the advantage of first draw as mother, she loses that advantage because she also has the role of father. Mothers cannot father sons. The fact that the son has found a father figure proves this to be true. Therefore, she has the last draw, which carries with it the disadvantage of not receiving a full 'draw'. The longer one waits for a draw is the most likely that dishonesty will come into play on the part of the participants.

MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is reflective. The persona is thinking about a mother's response to her son's life choices. TONE The tone of the poem is pragmatic and pessimistic. The persona is telling the tale as it is, with no positive energy. THEMATIC CATEGORY Love Survival desires/ dreams childhood experiences Death

West Indies, U.S.A

The physical structure of this poem has been This is the OPINION of one individual, altered from the original layout in the text. which might not coincide with the views of others. Cruising at thirty thousand feet above the endless green 1.the island seems like dice LITERAL MEANING tossed on a casino's baize, some come up The persona is travelling in a plane, looking lucky, others not. Puerto Rico takes the pot, 2.the Dallas of the West Indies, 2.silver linings down at San Juan, Puerto Rico as the plane descends. He is saying that this island is the on the clouds as we descend are hall-marked, 1.San Juan glitters like a maverick's gold ring. wealthiest in the Caribbean because it has won the jackpot, it has come up lucky. He then All across the Caribbean points out that he, and others, had travelled to we'd collected terminals - 1.airports are like many Caribbean islands and received a hint of calling cards, cultural fingerprints; the hand written signs at Port-au-Prince, Piarco's sleazy the flavour of each island through it's calling card, - its airport - all of which fail when tourist art, the lethargic contempt of the compared to plush San Juan. As they land, they baggage boys at 'Vere Bird' in St. Johns .... are instructed to stay on the plane if their And now for 4.plush San Juan. destination is not San Juan. The persona takes But the pilot's bland offence and states that America does not want you're safe in my hands drawl crackles as we land, 'US regulations demand all passengers not blacks in San Juan, implying that they might be a disruptive force. He notes the efficiency with disembarking at San Juan stay on the plane, I repeat, stay on the plane.' 3.Subtle Uncle Sam, which things flow, enabling them to take to the skies once more. During the ascent, the persona afraid too many 5.desperate blacks might reenslave this Island of the free, might jump the notes the contrast between the influences of the Caribbean and America. He likens San-Juan to barbed a broken TV, it Iooks good on the outside, but electric fence around 6.'America's back yard' and claim that vaunted broken on the inside. sanctuary ..... 3. 'give me your poor .....' Through toughened, tinted glass 7.the contrasts tantalise; US patrol cars glide across the shimmering tarmac, containered baggage trucks unload with 8.fierce efficiency. So soon we're climbing, low above the pulsing city streets; galvanized shanties overseen by condominiums polished Cadillacs shimmying with pushcarts and as we climb, San-Juan's 9.fools-glitter calls to mind the shattered innards of a TV set that's fallen off the back of a lorry, all painted valves and circuits 1.the LITERARY DEVICES road like twisted wires, 1. SIMILE the bright cars, microchips. 10.It's sharp and jagged and dangerous, Line 2: Puerto Rico is compared to dice and belonged to some-one else. that is tossed on a casino's baize, it can

Brown, S. 'West Indies, U.S.A' in A World of Prose. Edited by Mark McWatt and Hazel Simmonds McDonald. Pearson Education Ltd, 2005.

either come up with winning numbers, or losing numbers. Puerto Rico comes up with winning numbers in the game of chance, as reflected in its wealthy exterior, which is supported by America.

Lines 7-8: San Juan's glitter is compared to a maverick's gold ring. The word maverick implies non-conformist, an individualist. This implies that San Juan, Puerto Rico is in the Caribbean, but not a part of the Caribbean. It belongs to America.

Lines 10-11: Airports are compared to calling cards. This means that, like a calling card, the quality of the airport gives you an idea of the island's status economically. The airport is also compared to a cultural fingerprint. A fingerprint is an individual thing, therefore the airport gives the traveler an idea of the island's cultural landscape. Line 39: The road is compared to twisted wires. This means that the roads, from above, look both plentiful and curvy. This does not carry a positive connotation, but implies confusion.

2. ALLUSION

Line 5: Dallas is an oil rich state in America. Therefore, many of its inhabitants are wealthy, and the state itself, is wealthy. By stating that San Juan is the Dallas of the West Indies, it implies that it is a wealthy island in the West Indies. Lines 5-7: An allusion is being made to the well known cliche; 'every cloud has a silver lining'. It means that behind everything that is seemingly bad, there is good. In the context of this poem, it means that the good, the silver lining, has a mark, or stamp, that authenticates its good quality; it is hallmarked. this implies that it will always have its silver lining showing.

3. SARCASM

Line 20: This statement means the exact opposite of what is stated. The persona is disgusted that Uncle Sam (America) would have such a regulation. This regulation bars anyone from stepping a toe on Puerto Rican soil, if it is not your intended destination. You just have to remain in the air craft, no matter the waiting period, until it is time for takeoff. The persona believes that the Americans are being blatantly discriminatory, and are attempting to camouflage it through the use of regulations. He does not believe that they have achieved their goal of subtlety. Line 26: The persona implies that America is all talk and no action. They really do not want the poor because they bar them from entering and expediently sends them on their

way when they enter their airport. The statement is sarcastic because it is loaded with an alternate meaning, due to the contrast in statement and action.

IMPORTANT WORDS/ PHRASES 4. 'plush' This word implies soft, like a teddy bear. It also implies luxury. So San Juan is all of these things. 5.'desperate blacks might re-enslave this Island of the free' These 'desperate blacks' to whom the persona is referring are the poor people of the Caribbean. If they converge on the glistening San Juan, sucking up its resources, then it might become reenslaved by poverty. 6.'America's back yard' A backyard means one of two things for people. It is a haven where you relax, therefore you decorate it and invest time and money in it. Or, you ignore it and spend all your time indoors, not investing any time, energy or money in it. America viewed Puerto Rico as the latter, a prize in which it saw value. Therefore, when the persona uses this phrase,heis implying that while it is valued, it is still at the back. Slight sarcasm is being used here. 7.'the contrasts tantalise' When something, or someone, is tantalising, it implies that it is intriguing. The persona, by using this phrase, is trying to draw the readers attention to to the jarring contrasts by stating that he finds them intriguing. 8.'fierce efficiency' The word fierce, used to describe the level of efficiency with which the people worked to get the plane off the ground, shows the extent to which they were not wanted on the island. 9.'fools-glitter' This implies that the flashiness of San Juan was not authentic.10.'It's sharp and jagged and dangerous, and belonged to some-one else.' This implies that San Juan is not safe. The cultures are not melding, but jarring against each other. The reason for this is because it belongs to someone else. CONTRAST The contrast in this poem is found in stanza 5. The American cars etc, against the pushcarts. The American culture versus the Puerto Rican culture. MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE The mood of the poem is sarcastic. TONE The tone of the poem is slightly bitter, which is fueled by the sarcastic atmosphere.

THEMATIC CATEGORIZATION Oppression Places Culture Discrimination