The aim of this session was to guide the students through the 'incredibly important' final section of the poem. The final section is incredibly significant as the whole moral of the poem is revealed in the final stanzas of The Mariner's narrative. Students need to be aware of how Coleridge uses different voices within this section to shape the narrative. For example, why does the poem conclude with the omniscient third person voice?
Students need to consider the following questions:
- Why is The Wedding Guest a 'sadder, wiser man'?
- How can the warped physical appearance of the ship symbolise the experience and physical appearance of The Mariner?
- What is the symbolic significance of the wedding with its music and happiness?
- What is the significance of the similes used in this final section?
- Why is The Mariner's explanation of his punishment presented within an irregular ballad structure?
- What are the key themes being presented by Coleridge throughout the whole poem?
- To what extent can this be considered a secular poem?
- Is The Mariner alive or dead? What is author's aim here when offering this ambiguity?
HOW DOES COLERIDGE TELL THE STORY IN THE FINAL SECTION OF THE NARRATIVE?
Potential structure:
The first paragraph could deal with the use of simile. There are two key similes in the final section: ..'I pass like night, from land to land...Like one that hath been seven days drowned.' Students could also refer to the use of emotive language used to represent the suffering of The Mariner. For example the repetition of the word 'agony' and the image of the burning heart. We will discuss language issues on Friday.
The second paragraph needs to deal with structure and this could consider the effect created by having the voices of The Hermit, The Pilot and The Pilot's Boy at the beginning of the section and the significance of Coleridge concluding the poem with the melancholy tone of the omniscient third person narrative voice. Why does Coleridge structure the voices in this manner in the final section? Students may also answer this question by considering the significance of the Wedding with its imagery of community, music and prayer. Why does Coleridge begin and conclude the poem with the image of the wedding ceremony?
The final paragraph needs to deal with the significance of the ballad form. I feel that students are easily capable of dealing with the significance of form.
REMEMBER...the whole focus of this response is how Coleridge shapes an engaging and powerful narrative. How is he attempting to create an interesting tale in this specific section of the poem?
HOMEWORK: Read the poem and consider potential content.
We will also be considering the question:
Coleridge described this poem as a 'WORK OF PURE IMAGINATION'.
To what extent do you agree with his assessment of TROTAM?
No comments:
Post a Comment