Poetry

Summary of the poem

• The poem contrasts the celebration vs

  loss which were the result of an actual

  shipwreck which had occurred.

• The poem compares the celebration vs

  loss which were the result of an actual

  shipwreck which had occurred.

What is the impact of the title?

• The – tells the reader that this poem is about a specific shipwreck.

  Shipwreck – implies a tragedy, usually involving the loss of lives, grief and mourning. This sets

  the tone for the poem.

• The – tells the reader that this poem is about a shipwreck.

  Shipwreck – implies a tragedy, usually involving the loss of lives, grief and mourning. It remibds the reader about the importance of life. This sets

  the tone for the poem.

Discuss the irony in the opening line

• The first line is ironic. While the people are relieved that the storm is over, Forty people died as a

  result of this storm.

• The first line is ironic. While the people are sad that there are people who are dead there's hope for the living.

The first two stanzas focus?

• The first two stanzas focus on the positive news of the survival of four people.
• The first two stanzas focus on the political situation in the country.
• The first two stanzas focus on the negative news of the survival of four people.
• The first two stanzas focus on the weather conditions during the incident.

The last two stanzas focus?

• The last two stanzas focus on the grief of the loss of 40 lives.
• The last two stanzas focus on the history of the town
• The last two stanzas focus on the weather and nature
• The last two stanzas focus on the celebration of life and joy

"When winter shakes the door" What description of winter is given here?

• Winter is associated with death. Literally, the personification refers the door shaking because of the cold and windy conditions. Figuratively, the personification refers to the death of the forty people; door is symbolic of their life.

• Winter is associated with cold weather. Literally, the personification refers the door shaking because of the cold and windy conditions. Figuratively, the personification refers to the death of the forty people; door is symbolic of their life.

"Then a silence suffuses the story," Discuss what the speaker means in this line.

• The silence suffuses the story with a sense of relief at the loss of innocent people.
• The silence suffuses the story with a joyful tone at the celebration of innocent people.
• The silence suffuses the story with a mournful tone at the loss of innocent people.
• The silence suffuses the story with a comedic tone at the loss of innocent people.

Explain the two ways in which the bells ring in this poem. Quote in support of your answer.

• The first 'ring' is actually a warning bell for the survivors, not celebratory.
• The second 'ring' is a symbol of hope for the forty who drowned, not a funeral bell.
• The first 'ring' is a metaphor for the sound of laughter, not a celebratory bell.
• The first 'ring' is celebratory for the four who survived, as mentioned in line 5. The second 'ring' is like a funeral bell for the forty who drowned, as indicated by the word 'toll'.

What is meant by the following line? "recovered the land"

• They built new land
• They discovered new land
• They lost the land
• They survived the shipwreck.

Karen Press was born in

• Cape Town, South Africa.

• Durban, South Africa.