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Question: How would you answer these questions about the poem!?
AN IRISH AIRMAN FORESEES HIS DEATH
I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;
My country is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind!.
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death!.
Questions:
(a) From the title and the first two lines of the poen, explain who the speaker is and what you think the poem will be about!.
(b)(i) The poet uses parallel structure (two sentences following the same form) in lines 3 and 4!. How does this structure help to balance the ideas expressed in these lines!?
(ii) Find in the poem another example of parallel structure, and explain how this technique helps you to understand the meaning of the lines in which it is used!.
(c)(i) Say in your own words what reasons airmen might have for enlisting according to lines 9 and 10!.
(ii) Go on to explain how word choice in line 11 helps you to understand more fully this airman's reaon for enlisting!.
(d) How do the final four lines help you to understand the airman's attitude towards his fate!?
(e)What does the title suggest to you about the airman's attitude!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Cor, to think I failed "Eng Lit"
A- the subject of the poem knows the likelihood is that he will die!. - The lifespan of most who served in the "Royal Flying Corps" in the 1914-1919 big mistake was not that long!.
B(i) the repeated "Those that I!.!.!." make the following "fight, I do not hate!." and "Guard I do not love" while opposite, appear equal and balanced!.
B(ii) Lines 5&6 and 9&10
C The airman has enlisted not out of patriotism or duty, or the pressure of others to enlist, but because he takes pleasure and joy from the idea of flying "A lonely impulse of delight" sets him aside from the crowd, and personalises the decision to enlist!.
D The excitement and pleasure of now is more important than both the future, and the past!. Death is not feared, but is part of the exhilaration of aerial combat!.
You might like to compare and contrast the poem with a further poem about aerial combat, "High Flight"
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence!. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air!.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God!.
Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941Www@QuestionHome@Com
you dont know any of the answers!? wow u need help!.
well for starters!.!.!. help with question # 1
the speaker is the poet, since it says I
the second part of that question is opinion
good luck
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