Poems in English paper 2

Hello Toney, CXC usually brings at least one poem in paper 2 of the English A exam. The poem is usually in section 2 of paper 2. It is usually a reading comprehension exercise. You will be asked to analyze the poem and do things like infer the author's intent when he says something or identify the literary devices used in the poem.

You are right, this type of question is usually very difficult and you will need to have had some practice in analyzing poems for you to answer these types of questions well.

Also, based on the marking scheme of the CXC English A exam, one poem in the reading comprehension section is worth 15 marks, if there are two, they will be worth 30 marks. To find out how much they will contribute to your final exam grade, I suggest you check the English A marking sceme in more detail.

I hope this helps.

I would really want to know about the CXC poems that should be looked at for the examination

i would like to be given some assistance in answering poem equestion because that is my weakness

poems are my weakness and i need to know how to answer them in cxc. i try to find the structure and devices used in them but i cant find any on the net how can i get help because ny teacher wont help me

i have alot of problem with english...the biggest 1 is that i can speak the language but i cant put it on paper...that bad...assa,summary,poems and spelling....

guy what are you talking about i love the peom there are easy expect for 1 0r 2 but my weak points are those book but if you want help with the poems i can help u add me at bajankim@hotmail.com

Toney did exams last year. He has moved past CXC exams now. Hopefully it will be the same for you by this time next year!!

thank you !hopefully

@a.richards sorry i didnt get the chance to reply but i am on work experience so its very hard 4 me right nw so tell me hw was the exam

Hi Amanda,
Actually I am not sitting the CXC exams, I just contribute to the study group. Hope you do well in your CXC exams this year though. Good luck!

i need help in history please!

What do review for English B!!!!!

im having a rough time too with the poems.can u help me please?

Toney you rules!
Great job!! Many thanks from Texas.

Hi,
I have just been reading the various comments Re. Poems, I will like to suggest in order to overcome the Poem syndrome how about having poem discussions. Interested students can highlight some problem poems and open the forum for discussions on these poems. I further suggest we can follow a format eg.
1. What is the Poem about
2. What is the Theme of the Poem
3. Identify the Tone and Mood of the Poem
4. What is the Poet trying to say
5. Identify the devices used in the Poems
6. Why did the poet use such devices
7. Who is the speaker in the Poem
8. What is the connotative or denotative idea in the Poem

That is an excellent suggestion! Wold you like to start a discussion forum on one of the eight areas you listed? Members can add their own explanations for the topics, quotes from books they have read, links to information they find on the internet, anything really that can help with the topics. I will also see if I can find anything to add.

Again, great idea and a lot of initiative!

does anyone know anything about the poem clloie mother

Hey, do you know where to go to get English Syllabus. Thank you.

Hi, thanks, that was a great eight questions to help students unlock poetry. I look forward to using it with my students this coming September.

You can search for an analysis of the poem on the internet.

hi does any1 know anything about the poem emigrant cause i got no clue

Do anyone know the poems I need to read for eng. B CXC 2011?

I am in desperate need of a poa helper .. DESPERATE!1 any one interested email neppywise@hotmail.com ! im also a good teacher at math so we cud exchange or sumthing :) sigh

This poem is a section of the longer poem “The Emigrants” by Edward “Kamau”Brathwaite. In this poem, Brathwaite concerns himself with the effects of European colonization of the New World. His major theme within the longer poem is that Columbus’ journey to the New World was hardly one of “discovery” as they were in fact already people living in those countries which he “discovered”. Instead Columbus’arrival brought with it death and the destruction of the civilizations which these original inhabitants had built.

Brathwaite is a Barbadian and within this poem we can see definite references to the physical geography of Barbados as it would have been when the first European settlers landed there. He highlights that the beaches, the bearded fig trees as well as the crabs and parrots that would have been native to the land as well as being a visible and thriving presence there at this time. However, upon Columbus’arrival, these creatures and the vegetation feel immediately threatened as they watch Columbus’arrival. These fears are justified as Columbus brings with him a wave of destruction, characterized by physical violence against the land and the people as he introduces European weapons of destruction such as steel boots and ammunition. As the poem draws to a conclusion we see that Columbus’ discovery of the New World does not bring with it civilization, but rather a course of destruction that ironically has its origins in Europe.

As in much of Brathwaite’s poetry, he often chooses to break up the stanzas so that they do not follow a set metre or rhythm. This is done deliberately in order to demonstrate the effects of colonialism. In the same way that the stanzas are broken up, Brathwaite is making the statement that the presence of Europe had broken up the lives of the original inhabitants of the land. He relies heavily on visual imagery which highlights the physical beauty of the land which is in turn contrasted with the images of war and destruction that is brought about by the Europeans. It is also noteworthy that Columbus in this poem comes to represent all of Europe’s colonizing agents. As history shows us, it was not Columbus who “discovered” the West Indies, but it was his journey in 1492 which led to European nations embarking on their conquests of the New World.

The question was asked in 2009 but I must contribute.
A wonderful poem that features parental determination (go school even university & do not become like his father) and sacrifice (bodily pain).
the first two lines "Jasmattie live in bruk down hut/like bata shoe box" (not an exact quote but close) NB the use of alliteration (repeated B sound)and onomatopoeia (bruk) work to emphasize poverty; use of enjabment (list of jobs, fast pace) even mirror the hardship and relentless efforts of her labour.

Ineed help please

hey i admired ur post was wondering if u wouldnt mind helping me with my eng lit preparation

i agree

coolie mother is about another caribbean woman tryin workin hard wit determinatrion that her son must have the best and go to school so he would obtain the education she didnt get and not try out like his father who is often absent and drinks alot

ana,my papas waltz,dreaming black boy,coolie mother,for my mother,this is a drak time my love,travellin through the dark,colonial girls school,from the emigrants,sonnets from china,the lynching,epitaph,le loupgarou,richard cory,geograhy lesson,to an athlete dying young,god's work,the carpenter's complain's and god grandeur.

Hey Keely i'm CJ, i can help you with literature cause i'm currently studying for it myself. What do you need to know?

Where can i find it.....please.

my exams are 2morrow n i still need help understandin the poems

hey js an additional question.......ne1 knw if the new syllabus will b tested in jan 2012 for lit????

what is the syllabus english lit anyways

havin d same problem too

wudn't mind u helpin me too, but hw?

english b exams r in jan. and somewhere around may

I strongly support your veiw of the english B poems, I admitted it is very difficult and takes alot of reading!!!