Paper 2 - Poetry
What does it assess?
Assessment
Objective
Assessing:
Section A
Comparison
AO1
Selection of
evidence
PEE
Y
AO2
Analysis & effect
on reader
Y
AO3
Comparison
Y
AO4
Context
Section B
Unseen
Steps to analysing an unseen poem
TOP TIP
1. Read the question picking out the key
words
The question is a guide as to what the
poem is about
2. Read the poem once through. JUST
READING – no annotation.
You need to understand the overall
meaning of the poem first
3. If you’re unsure of the message of the
poem read it again without annotating.
Reread the question.
Reread the poem.
You might need to pause, just think about
the key words in the question or the title.
Don’t panic. You will have some ideas!
4. Now annotate the poem – picking out 4 Look at language used
or 5 techniques which you think show the Images created
poem’s message
The structure and layout of the poem
5. Number the points you want to make in These points will become your paragraphs
order of their STRENGTH in relation to
showing the message
6. Write your answer
Be direct and to the point. Remember to
analyse effect
Check that every point you want to make about the poem relates to the question
How does the poet show how she wants her loved ones to deal with
her death in the poem Remember?
Remember
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
Christina Rossetti
In my opinion the main message of the poem to the relatives or loved ones of the
dying protagonist is that she would rather they moved on with their lives and were
happy rather than being consumed by sad memories. This message is evident in the
last two lines of the poem particularly the phrase “forget and smile” which
contrasts with the repetition of the word “remember” used throughout the poem.
The contrast emphasises her message as it comes as a surprise to the reader.
The formal, organised structure of the rhythm and rhyme in the poem suggest that
the poet has carefully considered their message strengthening our perception that
we should follow their act on their advice. The imperative phrase “do not grieve”
emphasises how strongly the speaker feels this. Further evidence of this occurs
when the poetic voice uses the metaphor of death as the “silent land” and says that
she will have gone “far away” which suggests a pragmatic approach to her death
and that she is reconciled to her fate.