1. Island man
Grace Nichols

2. Life on a Caribbean Island

3. Life in London

4. Imagine…

5. Differences between life on a Caribbean island and life in London

6. 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.

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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”

15. 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!

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

17. 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’.

18. 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).

19. ‘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!