In Your Essay You Must Refer to at Least Two of Word Choice, Imagery, Mood, Structure

In your essay you must refer to at least two of word choice, imagery, mood, structure, characterization, or any other appropriate feature.

Choose a poem in which a character or an experience is vividly described.

Briefly state what the poem is about and go on to show how the techniques used make the descriptions vivid.

‘The Almond Tree’ by Jon Stallworthy describes a momentous event in the poet’s life. In essence the poem describes the thoughts, feelings and emotions surrounding the birth of a first born child. Sadly, in this case the poet’s original anticipation and excitement are shattered when he discovers that his son has been born with down-syndrome. Thereafter we witness the poet’s response and his evolving relationship with his son.

Stallworthy uses many varied techniques to show the excitement for the coming of his new born son. The use of the simile ‘The lights were green as peppermints’ highlights his joy as the word ‘peppermints’ connotes the happiness and sweetness of life. Furthermore, the mention of the green traffic lights can be seen as not only a literal description of the journey, but also a metaphorical reference to the idea that his life is very much on the move as he relishes his journey towards fatherhood.

Furthermore, the metaphor ‘the lucky prince’ can be seen as a reference to the enchanted lands of fairy tales which shows that he is anticipating something special. The metaphor is apt given that fairy tales are associated with childhood and typically have a happy ending; just as the poet expects his journey to the hospital to have a happy ending.

The use of the seasons of the year to represent his emotional state is also effective. This is exemplified in the line: ‘banishing winter with a nod’. The use of ‘winter’ is effective as we traditionally see it as a cold, depressing time of year when nothing will grow; however the idea that he can simply ‘banish’ such a time with no more than a nod demonstrates that during his journey he is in a optimistic mood and he feels powerful and confident.

Equally, his excitement is shown in the way in which he rushes to the hospital. He ‘crosses (at sixty) MagdalenBridge’ and repeats the wish ‘Let it be a son’ as he hurries to reach the hospital. Such excitement and optimistic mood is found when he arrives outside the hospital and parks ‘in an almond’s/Shadow blossom…’. The fact that Winter has most definitely been banished is convincing as the time of year changing to spring is implied in the mention of ‘blossom’. Such a change in season is appropriate as spring is a time of rebirth. The fact that the tree is also personified as ‘waving at [him]/upstairs with a child’s hands’ is important as it suggests he feels welcomed and optimistic upon his arrival at the hospital.

Section four continues this optimistic tone through the extended metaphor which compares the baby to new money. While, the value of his son is further shown in that he calls him ‘his best poem’.

Nevertheless, there is evidence to suggest that that something is wrong as the structure and word choice such as ‘shuddering womb’ hint that something may be wrong. This idea is continued in the description of the poet’s movement towards the ward in which his son is held. The word ‘slicing’ is used to describe the doors’ action but it can also be regarded as an indication of the pain which Stallworthy felt when he was told by the doctor: ‘your son is a mongol’.

The poem goes on to trace the impact which this had upon the poet. This is perhaps best indicated in the line: ‘This was my first death’. He then seems to experience some sort of out of body experience whereby he has to detach himself from his previous high emotion. This is convincing as when experiencing such a shock we often feel such a sense of detachment.

Furthermore, the idea of labour which is referred to in the description of tree: ‘In labour the tree was becoming itself’. This connotes the idea that we all must suffer to bring joy; it is fitting that at this time he reveals that ‘[he] saw himself blossoming’. It can be said that Stallworthy has learned a great deal from his journey and can appreciate life further as he has experience trauma.

In conclusion, it can be seen that the imagery and word choice in ‘The Almond Tree’ are effective in conveying Stalworthy’s journey from over-joyed prospective father, to devastation, and finally to realization that love and a higher level of understanding is possible through dealing with crisis.