Once upon a Time
Read the poem and discuss the questions based on it.
1. What do you think is the theme of the poem?
(a) Behavioural patterns in human relationships.
(b) Attitudes of people in a modern age.
(c) Loss of culture founded on love, sincerity and goodwill.
(d) How people lived long ago.
2. What difference is there in how people laughed long ago and how they
laugh now?
3. Give one piece of evidence that shows how people deceive others.
4. Why, do you think, that the poet wears different faces in different
contexts?
5. Provide evidence to show that the poet is influenced by the behaviour
and attitudes of the new age.
6. Does the poet like the changes in behaviour?
Give reasons to support your answer.
7. Which of the following best expresses the mood of the poet?
(a) melancholy (b) disappointment
(c) anger (d) reflection
8. What can you infer about the character of the poet?
9. Which of the following lessons can one learn from this poem?
(a) Pattern your lives to please others
(b) Appearances are often deceptive
(c) Values should change to suit modern living.
(d) Be yourself at all times.
(e) Honesty, love and consideration should guide your actions.
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.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is about a man speaking to his son. He pleads to his son to show him how he once was before societal influence because he wants things to go back the way they were. He cannot be young again but he can still re-posses those characteristics. Throughout the poem he explains the changes from childhood to adulthood. Innocence vs. experience.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Dunkley you should make an English blog your amazing !
ReplyDelete