1. Marrysong
Dennis Scott
‘The map was never true.’

2. Background
Dennis Scott was born in Jamaica in 1939 and died in Many of his poems were written in a Caribbean vernacular.
Highlight examples of unusual syntax in the poem.

3. Subject & Tone
The poem is about a marriage. The poet uses the metaphor of a map, ‘He charted’ as he tries to make sense of her personality.
What does this suggest about the nature of their marriage?
What is the tone of the poem after your initial reading?

4. Imagery What does ‘learned’ imply in the first line?
What is the effect of the word ‘Territory’?
How does the poet convey his wife’s mood in the following phrases?
Walled anger
Quarried hurt
Stones in her voice
How does her mood change?

5. Imagery Underline all examples of diction that relates to Geography
How does he use Geography to convey the difficulties that he encounters?
Comment on the following phrases:
Roads disappeared.
The map was never true.
The shadows of her love shortened
…grew like trees…

6. Imagery
Why are the words ‘jaunty’ and ‘helpless’ put together? What is the effect?
How do the final 3 lines convey the development of their relationship?
What do you think the timescale of the poem is?

7. Form Can you detect a meter in the poem?
Lines 7 and 8 are made up of four very short sentences. Comment on the effect.
Why has ‘wondered’ been given an entire sentence by itself?

8. Feeling
Which of these words are applicable to the writer’s marriage experience:
bewildering
annoying
exhilarating
fulfilling
Explain your views.
Contrast the views about love with those in Clare’s poem