Derek Mahon

‘Grandfather’ First Stanza The poem begins with a description of a time the grandfather was “wounded”. The details of the accident are vague. Though “wounded” the grandfather remained in good spirits & “he soon recovered”.

Grandfather The grandfather probably worked in the shipyards “boiler-rooms” and “row upon row of gantries”. Grandfather worked for a long time in the shipyards & remembers his childhood before: “rolled/ Away to reveal the landscape of a childhood”.

Grandfather Despite the fact that he has retired, the grandfather maintains a routine of sorts: “Even on cold/ Mornings he is up at six”, but his daily routine now lacks the focus & discipline of his working years but now acts like “a four-year old”.

Grandfather Stanza 2 The grandfather never answers to anybody & feels no obligation to explain his movements: “Never there when you call”. Every night before he falls asleep, the grandfather’s “shrewd eyes bolt the door and set the clock/ Against the future”.

Grandfather Last Line The last line of the poem tells us of the grandfather’s sharpness: “Nothing escapes him”.

Grandfather Themes Old Age When he stops working the grandfather’s days are now completely his. The last time he had such freedom was when he was a small child. The poem suggests that old age can be much like a second childhood. He is described as messing around with “a block of wood/ Or a box of nails”. Though he continues to rise early- a habit from his working days- his activity now seems aimless and random.

Grandfather Language The poem is written in the form of a sonnet- 14 lines. The third line features both assonance and alliteration: “row upon row of gantries rolled”. Alliteration – repetition of ‘r’ sound Assonance – repetition of ‘o’ sound.

Grandfather Questions What is your impression of the grandfather? The first two lines are intriguing. What sort of incident do you think the grandfather was involved in? Who do you think ‘they ‘ refer to?

After the Titanic Introduction The speaker of the poem is Bruce Ismay. He was the manager of the White Star Line, the company responsible for the Titanic. Ismay was subject of criticism both in England & America for his conduct in leaving the Titanic at all. His reputation was damaged & he maintained a low profile after the disaster.

After the Titanic Lines 1-8 Ismay was humiliated or “humbled” at the inquiry established to investigate the sinking of the Titanic. He was accused of being selfish & cowardly. You're Pitiful - YouTube

After the Titanic The American press considered those men who sank with the ship heroes. But Ismay says that he “sank as far that night as any/Hero”. Ismay ‘sank’ in a metaphorical sense, possibly into the depths of despair.

After the Titanic Lines 6-8 Describe the deafening, chaotic sounds of the sinking ship. The word “thundering” tells of the violent, explosive sound of the ship entering the water. Pandemonium suggests the mayhem

After the Titanic Lines 8-20 Ismay is now an old man. He lives alone in a remote house somewhere by the sea. Here, he hides from the world: “Now I hide/In a lonely house behind the sea”.

After the Titanic Lines 8 -20 Ismay lives an unhappy life. The changing seasons bring him no joy: “The showers of/April, flowers of May mean nothing to me”

After the Titanic Lines 8 – 20 Though many years have passed, Ismay cannot forget abut the tragedy. Thoughts of those who died, particularly women and children, continue to haunt him. The “broken toys” represent the children who died and the “hatboxes” the women.

After the Titanic Lines 8 – 20 Ismay’s suffering is most intense after stormy nights. He takes cocaine to soothe his troubled mind but it won’t let him escape the nightmarish memories of the disaster.

After the Titanic Lines 8 – 20 Ismay imagines he is once again sitting on the lifeboat. He feels that he also died the night the Titanic sank. Though he lives on, it is a hellish existence and he asks that we include him in our prayers for the victims of the Titanic.

After the Titanic Themes Compassion for Ismay Mahon does not judge Ismay in the poem. He gives Ismay a voice and allows him to speak of his suffering. Mahon lets us sympthise with someone the world would rather see as a cowardly villain. The poem shows Ismay never really escaped the disaster.

After the Titanic Themes Isolation The poem describes the terrible isolation Ismay felt on the night of the tragedy. Following the disaster, Ismay was isolated by society, when he was labelled a coward. As a result, Ismay hid himself from the world. He moved to “a lonely house” and lived a life of seclusion.

After the Titanic Though many years have passed he cannot forget the tragedy. Thoughts of those who died return to haunt him. The speaker uses a metaphor to describe the way these memories return. The broken toys represent the children and the hatboxes the women.

After the Titanic His suffering is most intense after a stormy night. On such mornings Ismay imagines that he is drowning again. He imagines that he is once again sitting in the lifeboat. He describes the faces of those who drowned that night, “the lost faces I never understood” Though he lived on he also feels that he drowned that night.

After the Titanic His life is without joy, a hellish existence in which he is condemned to suffer again and again. He asks at the end of the poem that we consider him as well as the dead in our “lamentations”

Antarctica Oates is suffering terribly from frostbite. He knows he is a burden to his fellow explorers and so decides to end his life by walking out into the blizzard. He leaves the group “Quietly, knowing it is time to go.”

Antarctica Oates does not tell the men he is going to walk into the blizzard to die. He says he is “just going out and may be some time.” He does this to spare the men feelings of guilt and to avoid prostest.

Antarctica The other men pretend “not to know” that Oates is leaving the tent to die and continue reading their books. It is easier for them to pretend that Oates really is only going outside and will soon be back.

Antarctica Though he is weak and tired, Oates forces himself to climb through the snow. “Goading his ghost into the howling snow.”

Antarctica The men left in the tent ask themselves whether it is “some sort of crime” that Oates must die so that they are saved. They decide it is not because “he is just going outside”. They continue to pretend that they don’t know what Oates is doing.

Antarctica Oates is described as a “Solitary enzyme”. An enzyme is a protein in the body that brings about change without changing itself. Its actions benefit others, just like Oates’ decision benefits the other travellers. He is sacrificing himself to save them.

Antarctica Ridiculous and Sublime Mahon thinks that Oates and the travellers are ridiculous because: It is ridiculous to say your just going outside when you’re walking to your death. It is ridiculous that others would accept such an absurd statement. It is ridiculous that the group continues to pretend that Oates will be back in some time.

Antarctica Ridiculous and Sublime Mahon thinks the situation is sublime because: It is extraordinary that someone would choose to die so that others have a better chance of living. It is also extraordinary that this should be done in such a quiet, dignified way. It is extraordinary that Oates shows no fear as he leaves the tent.

Antarctica Themes Compassion for Oates Oates is stuck in one of the most remote places on earth and in terrible pain. He has to face the fact that he is risking everyone’s lives. The image of Oates walking out into the blizzard is heartbreaking. Mahon shows us the extraordinary selflessness of Oates.

Antarctica Themes Isolation Oates is described as a “Solitary enzyme” which shows us how lonely and isolated he feels. Oates has to leave behind his friends and die in one of the loneliest places on earth. He is already far from civilisation and he then distances himself from the people he is with.

Antarctica Questions Why do you think the others in the tent pretend not to know what Oates is doing? What do you think is ‘ridiculous’ about the event Mahon is describing in the poem? What is ‘sublime’ about this event? What is your opinion of the men in the tent? Were they right to show no emotion and do nothing to stop Oates leaving?