Understanding 'Catrin' | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

What does the word 'maternal' mean?

• related to or characteristic of relationships between fathers and their children

• related to or characteristic of relationships between mothers and their children

• related to or characteristic of relationships between siblings

• related to or characteristic of relationships between children and adults

Answer explanation

Gillian Clarke's poem 'Catrin' focuses on a maternal relationship, tracking the connection between a mother and child both at the birth and as the child grows older.

Jane Weir's poem 'Poppies' is about...

• a soldier writing home to his mother while at war.

• a sister wondering if her brother has survived his time at war.

• a mother's grief as her son leaves for war.

• someone who lost their father to a miliatry conflict.

Answer explanation

Like 'Catrin', 'Poppies' focuses on a maternal relationship, exploring the emotions felts by mothers when they are separated from their children.

Which of these emotions would you associate with Jane Weir's poem, 'Poppies'?

• grief

• joy

• worry

• jealousy

• nostalgia

Answer explanation

'Poppies' explores feelings of grief, worry, and nostalgia through a mother's emotional journey as she recalls her son's departure for war and the subsequent impact on her life.

What is symbolism?

• comparing someone to an object to emphasise aspects of their character

• giving objects human attributes

• using the five senses to create a vivid description

• using concrete objects or action represent abstract ideas or emotions

Answer explanation

In 'Catrin,' Gillian Clarke uses the symbol of the "rope" to represent the enduring and evolving bond between mother and daughter, highlighting the tension between their deep connection and the daughter's growing independence.

What is imagery?

• writing that is inspired by an image of piece of artwork

• descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures

• writing creatively, using your imagination

Answer explanation

In 'Catrin', imagery is significant as it vividly captures the emotional intensity and evolving dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship, particularly through the depiction of the hospital scene where the child is born.

Why is it useful to analyse the structure of a poem?

• it's easier than analysing the language

• the order and progression of ideas can shape our interpretation of it

• you don't have to use as many quotations

• it makes it easier to compare two poems

Answer explanation

Exploring a poem's structure reveals its form, flow, emphasis, and enhances its meaning. It also unveils the poet's stylistic choices and how they shape the reader's experience and understanding of the poem.