2
Gillian Clarke – ‘Lament’
Student’s Worksheet
Stanza 1
1. There are two ‘Fors’ in the first stanza. What are they?
‘For’ means ‘on behalf of”. The poet says that she is laments on behalf of the green turtle and her eggs.
2. Comment on the “pulsing burden”.
The word ‘pulsing’ tells us there is life inside the turtle in the form of her eggs or ‘burden’.
3. Comment on the metaphor: “their nest of sickness”. What words do we usually associate with the idea of a nest?
‘Nest’ is usually associated with the ‘home’ of new born birds and small creatures and we think of it as protective. We are startled and shaken to know that the nest causes illness and possibly death.
Stanza 2
4. The cormorant is described as being covered in oil. Comment on the words that Gillian Clarke uses to describe this.
‘funeral silk’ is a vivid image appealing to our sight. We can see the smooth layer of oil on the comorant, silken to look at. The appearance is deceptive as the oil can kill the comorant and become its ‘funeral silk’, a shroud of silk.
5. Pick out two more ways that the oil is described in this stanza and comment on them.
‘veil of iridescence’ is a visual image that evokes the sight of layers of oil shimmering on the beach. It is ironic because while the shimmering colours seem attractive, we know it is destroying marine life.
‘shadow’ suggests darkness and despair. When something casts a shadow, it creates misery and wretchedness.
Stanza 3
6. What does the word ‘lap’ mean here? Look at the following definitions and choose the best one:
The answer is c.
a. The front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person. (noun)
b. To wash against something with soft liquid sounds. (verb)
c. (of small waves) to wash against (the shore or a boat) with light splashing sounds
d. (often foll. by up)(esp. of animals) to scoop (a liquid) into the mouth with the tongue
7. Look at the meanings of the word stain:
a. A discolored or soiled spot or smudge.
b. A blemish on one's moral character or reputation.
Which one best suits the meaning in the poem?
The answer is a.
Why do you think the stain is described as mortal?
The oil slick is deadly to sea life.
8. Now Clarke moves from the environmental cost of the war to the human cost. Who is Ahmed and why has she chosen this name?
We can suppose that Ahmed is young soldier, perhaps a child soldier who has been recruited to fight with the promise that he will bring glory to himself and his family. Ahmed is name we associate with the people of Iraq and is probably a popular name among Iraqis.
OR
Ahmed can be a civilian who cannot leave because of a ‘closed border’ and could face injury or death though he is innocent.
9. Comment on the image of “his uniform of fire”.
The image is shocking in painting a picture of a child soldier who is on fire from the fallout of the shelling and bombing.
Stanza 4
10. What different jobs are mentioned here in connection with war?
The jobs mentioned are connected with the manufacture of the weapons of war, that is guns and armour.
11. Why have these men joined the war? What do you think of their reasons for joining the war?
They have joined the war ‘for the company’, that is they were influenced by their friends joining and followed along.
The farmer’s son has led a simple life and does not understand what the war is about. He joins ‘for the music’ thinking that it will exciting and to escape from the boredom of life as a farmer.
Stanza 5
12. Which animals are listed in this stanza? What do you think has happened to them?
These animals have been killed as a result of the bombing: the hook-beaked turtles, the dugong, the dolphin, the whale.
13. How is the sound of the missile described?
We know that thunder roars and is deafening. The missile must have stunned the whale into a state of unconsciousness.
Stanza 6
14. Why do you think the sun is described as ‘veiled’? Where else is the word ‘veiled’ used?
The smoke from the burning oil wells would have cast a shadow on the sun. ‘veiled’ is also used for the oil lick on the sand in stanza 2. .
15. Which three birds are mentioned in this stanza? What happens to them at the end of their long journey?
The tern, the gull and wader are migratory sea birds. They flew from a colder place to the warmth of Iraq and find themselves in a death trap because of the pollution caused by the bombs.
16. Comment on the final words of the stanza: “the stink of anger”.
The author is expressing her own hatred of war and destruction by using the word ‘stink’ which means a bad smell. The ‘anger’ expresses the cause of war. The attacking country is angry and wants to take revenge.
Stanza 7
17. Look at the adjectives used to describe what has happened to nature:
Adjectives / Natureburnt / earth
scalded / ocean
blazing / well
Comment on the choice of adjectives.
All the adjectives have to do with destruction caused by burning and heat. The poet wants us to feel the pain and hurt to nature because of man’s use of bombs, missiles and gun fire.
18. What has happened to the sun? Why do you think we can no longer see the sun?
The heavy pollution has shut out the sun.
19. Comment on the final line. Try to sum up in your own words what you think the poet means?
The last line clinches the message that man in his quest for vengeance by waging war has brought about the ‘ashes of language’ which Clarke explains to mean the death of truth. This powerful metaphor leaves us feeling appalled that people are deceived by why wars are fought. Her final message is shocking - the truth is cloaked in a web of deceit and lies and as long as that happens, there will be wars
General Comments
Now that you have looked closely at the poem, think and comment about the following things:
20. Look at the structure of the poem – what can you say about it and why has Clarke chosen this particular structure?
The structure of the poem lends itself to the title ‘Lament’. Each of the seven stanzas begins with the word ‘For’ as she expresses her sorrow for the losses suffered in the war. Each stanza focuses on an animal or bird or people hurt by the bombing and its aftermath. By repeating the word ‘for’ Clarke makes her message emphatic and persuasive as the details of death and ruin pile up stanza after stanza.
21. Why does she repeat the word “For” throughout the poem?
By repeating the word ‘for’ Clarke makes her message emphatic and persuasive as the details of death and ruin pile up stanza after stanza.
22. What is the tone of the poem? Is it sad or angry or does it change as the poem progresses? Choose particular words to justify your choice of tone.
The tone is a mix of melancholy and rage as appropriate when one is mourning needless loss.