Island man Grace Nichols

Life on a Caribbean Island

Life in London

Imagine…

Differences between life on a Caribbean island and life in London

CULTURE Guyana: Country on the north coast of South America; One of the poorest nations in the Western hemisphere; Gained independence from Britain in 1966.

SURFACE MEANING A man who used to live on a Caribbean island still dreams of this place even now when he lives in London.

Island Man Morning and island man wakes up to the sound of blue surf in his head the steady breaking and wombing wild seabirds and fishermen pushing out to sea the sun surfacing defiantly from the east of his small emerald island he always comes back groggily groggily Comes back to sands of a grey metallic soar to surge of wheels to dull North Circular roar muffling muffling his crumpled pillow waves island man heaves himself Another London day

Island Man (for a Caribbean island man in London who still wakes up to the sound of the sea) Morning And island man wakes up To the sound of blue surf In his head The steady breaking and wombing wild seabirds and fisherman pushing out to sea the sun surfacing defiantly from the east of his small emerald island he always comes back groggily groggily Clear link with other traditions This word has many associations, but the predominant image is one of comfort and security Alliteration with the letter 's' Note the vibrant colours very positive image Repetition, as if he cannot believe it, or is reluctant to acknowledge

Colour contrast, not vibrant but drab Comes back to sands of a grey metallic soar to surge of wheels to dull North Circular road Change of perspective here a busy road around London muffling muffling his crumpled pillow waves island man heaves himself Another London day Grace Nichols Repetition, as if he cannot believe it, or is reluctant to acknowledge Suggest comparison of a man heaving himself on to an island Stark last line, physically isolated, with no preposition or verb Capital letters but no punctuation in poem

IDEAS, ATTITUDES, FEELINGS Comparing the simple beautiful way of life on a Caribbean island to the noise and rush of a modern city When far away from home some people will over idealise it Never forget where you come from Attitudes: Island man does not seem to feel at home in London therefore there is a sense of being out of place and not belonging The opportunities of London are far removed from the beauties of the Caribbean Feelings: Homesick Idealising the past / previous home Regret Dull repetitive nature of present working life

Language Metaphor sands / of a grey metallic soar (London as an unpleasant beach) Personification • the sun surfacing defiantly • to dull North Circular roar Alliteration • sun surfacing • Stanza 3 = Sands, soar, surge (like the sounds of the sea) Repetition • groggily groggily • muffling muffling

Island Man There is no punctuation in the poem. Why? What image does the Island man have in his head? How does the poet’s choice of language reflect that image? There are more capital letters on the second part of the poem. Why? Think of the formality of capital letters.

Island Man Island: “blue surf” “wild seabirds” “fishermen” “emerald island” London: “grey metallic soar” “to surge of wheels” “dull North Circular roar” “Another London day”

The more points you make the higher the grade! Back to exams… The question will name ONE poem, you must choose the other Use the wording of the question at the beginning and end of EVERY paragraph Relate everything you write to the question The more points you make the higher the grade!

Sample Exam Question How does “Blessing” and one other poem from this selection, show the importance of culture and cultural background

Planning a response to the question on poetry from other cultures When planning an answer to the question on poems from other cultures do not consider one poem and then another and then try to make comparisons in your conclusion. You should be comparing (discussing similarities) and contrasting (considering differences) the poems throughout your essay. This will also help you to ANALYSE the poems rather than simply DESCRIBING them. E.g. You don’t get m(any) marks for saying, ‘there is a metaphor in the first stanza’ but you will get credit for writing, ‘the poet compares her use of language to a flower which shows how she feels it is alive and growing’.

Language / Themes/Techniques ‘Blessing’ ‘Island Man’ What is the subject of each poem? Describe the poet’s tone and attitude. How does the poet use rhythm to suit the subject matter? How does each poet bring the environment / place to life? How are the people presented in each poem? (Look at how the poet describes their actions, for example.) How does each poet use imagery? Does each poet use unconventional forms? If so, why? (e.g. lack of punctuation, short line lengths, and unusual layout).

‘Island Man’: Evoking Place Using ‘Island Man’ as an influence, write a postcard to a friend from either: a tropical island a bustling city centre Describe the place as you have experienced it. Use experience and / or imagination!