Int 2 Old Woman Key quotes

Key quotes from stanzas 1 and 2 to show old woman’s suffering and dehumanisation. (How do you feel? What could be done? If you feel sorry for her then Iain Crichton Smith has created an excellent character through word choice and imagery).
“And she, being …”
“fed from a mashed plate”
“as an old mare might droop across a fence”
“dull pastures of its ignorance”
“Her husband held her upright…”
“She munched, half dead, blindly searching the spoon”

Key quotes from stanzas 3 and 4 to show poet’s reaction to old couple and his solution to their problem. (Do you agree with him? What about Euthanasia?)
“Outside the grass was raging…”
“imprisoned in my pity and shame”
“…having suffered time/should sit in such a place, in such a state”
“and wished to be away, yes to be far away”
“with athletes, heroes, Greek or roman men/who pushed their bitter spears into a vein”

Key quotes from stanzas 2 and 5 to show the burden the old man has to endure and his view of death and life. (Remember Calvinist view and consider what impact this has. Do you pity the husband? If you feel his prayers should be answered then the poet has created a convincing picture of his suffering and stoical approach. What is it about the angel that is important?)

“while he prayed/to God who is all-forgiving…”
“some angel somewhere who might land perhaps”
“’Pray God,’ he said, we ask you, God’ he said”
“The bowed back was quiet.”

What are the poem’s themes? (Think about what the main ideas are – write them down – these are the themes!)

That's all for now. More to follow