‘Strawberries’ – Revision Pack
By Edwin Morgan
Name:______
Contents
1) ‘Strawberries’ – the poem
2) Summary
3) Key Quotes & Analysis
4) Practice Essay Questions
5) Evaluation Guide
6) Worked Essay plan
7) Suggested Revision Tasks
8) Useful Evaluative Phrases
9) Personal Notes
‘STRAWBERRIES’ by Edwin MorganThere were never strawberries
like the ones we had
that sultry afternoon
sitting on the step
of the open french window
facing each other
your knees held in mine
the blue plates in our laps
the strawberries glistening
in the hot sunlight
we dipped them in sugar
looking at each other
not hurrying the feast
for one to come
the empty plates
laid on the stone together
with the two forks crossed
and I bent towards you
sweet in that air
in my arms
abandoned like a child
from your eager mouth
the taste of strawberries
in my memory
lean back again
let me love you
let the sun beat
on our forgetfulness
one hour of all
the heat intense
and summer lightning
on the Kilpatrick hills
let the storm wash the plates
Summary
The poet recalls a summer afternoon of intense love which is triggered by the strawberries he is eating. He recalls sitting with his lover on the steps of a building outside a french window. The afternoon weather was warm and thundery. He and his lover were sitting close to each other, with his knees held inside his knees.
He has a clear memory of red strawberries on blue plates. The sunlight was hot as they dipped the strawberries in sugar. They ate the strawberries slowly, gazing into each other’s eyes. They didn’t rush anything. Both had a sense of another feast to follow the strawberries.
The Title
The strawberries referred to in the title act as a catalyst for the recollection of a particularly passionate encounter. Morgan often uses physical objects to stimulate a particular memory, especially those that are particularly sensual. This is further emphasised when you look at Morgan’s other work – namely ‘One Cigarette’.
Key Message
All too often we are in a rush to move on, all the while failing to appreciate the simply beauty and contentment to be found in simple, ordinary almost mundane moments – “not hurrying the feast”
Key Quotes & Analysis
Below is a list of poetic techniques used in ‘Strawberries’ by Edwin Morgan.
To write about the poem successfully, you should……
¨ understand what these technical words mean and be able to explain them, giving examples from the poem
¨ be able to explain the effect of the technique in the poem (i.e. what it adds to the reader’s understanding of the poem’s theme)
Technique
/ Example / Explanation / EffectTheme / Memory
“the blue plates”
“the two forks crossed”
“let the sun beat
on our forgetfulness”
“the heat intense
and summer lightning
on the Kilpatrick hills”
Love / The poet is remembering a favourite moment from his past and he recollects small, almost unimportant details. This is very telling as it is precisely the fact that he can remember such details, which emphasises the vividness of the memory.
At the end of the poem, Morgan reflects on the accuracy of such a vivid memory. Perhaps he is casting doubt on his reliability to recall the afternoon, using “let” suggests a willingness to permit and accept that the memory, just like the experience, was telling. He is unable to hold onto it indefinitely.
Morgan shows how difficult it is to hold onto faded memories and once the sensory trigger has evaporated it is hard to re-call the moment again. As the memory disappears, he displays a longing and yearning to hold on for a while and returns to the intensity of the love and passion.
The poet describes the intimacy between the two throughout the poem. Their love was as ‘intense’ as the storm.
Pathetic Fallacy
Symbolism
“sultry” / The description of the afternoon as “sultry” emphasises the desirability of the speaker’s lover but also the humidity of the weather. This describes and foreshadows the build up of tension between the loves, culminating in the eventual release of the storm at the end of the poem.
“summer lightning”
“let the storm wash the plates” / The storm can represent the notion that nothing perfect can last and also the effect that outside forces can have on their relationship, attempting to shatter and destroy it.
The “summer lightening” could also link back to the “sultry afternoon” which opened the poem. The brief flaring of love and the electricity caused by the two lovers metaphorically conveys the image of sparks flying.
“Strawberries” / The strawberries, so succulent and ripe, symbolise an especially intimate moment, which the poet recalls both the fondness and a sense of sadness as he appreciates the fleeting nature of such profound encounters.
Strawberries are a summer fruit and symbolise the lovers at being at a stage where their relationship is full of light and joy.
“let the storm wash the plates” / The storm at the end symbolises the two lovers lost in the sheer emotion and passion of their feelings. Ironically it seems that the sweetness of love is washed away by the power of their feelings for each other.
Enjambment / Deliberately cutting off a line in the middle of a phrase to emphasise a word at the beginning or end of a line.
“let the sun beat/on our forgetfulness” / Enjambment allows the memory to flood his mind and articulate the feelings of love without restraint or bitterness.
Poem ends on a bittersweet note as love has died away and only a memory of a hot summer’s day is left to symbolise the depth of that love.
Structure / Lack of formal structure / Mirrors the freedom of the lovers in the poem.
Long first stanza
Short second stanza
Last line of the poem / Emotionally charged first stanza is much longer that the others. Morgan does this to place emphasise on the intimacy of the two lovers and builds up the atmosphere between them.
Morgan recalls the image in fragments. It seems they didn’t stay together in life and the poet could be lonesome for his lover.
The last line of the poem stands on its own. For Morgan, the “storm” never seems to be far away in his relationships. Here the love ends, even the taste and remnants of the strawberries are washed away.
Commands / “lean back again”
“let me love you” / The command could illustrate an inequality between the lovers but it is followed by the curious part command/part request “let me love” which establishes both partners as active participants.
Contrast / “There were never
strawberries
like the ones we had” / Speaker compares the strawberries he is eating just now to the ones eaten in this powerful memory. Shows the importance of the strawberries and what they symbolise – a passionate love affair. They are not only memorable for their taste but for the strong feelings and happy memories associated with them.
Universal Nature of the Poem / The poem can apply to anyone of any gender or sexuality. / Morgan does not name the loves and this particular memory moves into the universal realms as the reader can recognise common elements of love.
Reader as voyeur. / Sense of the reader being an unobserved watcher of the scene as this is a deeply personal and intimate memory for the poet. This is one of the most important aspects of the poem as its simplicity and truth is both personal to the poet and universal to all.
“two forks” / Clever use of word play emphasises sameness and uniformity, a clear signal that Morgan’s lover is a man. However, Morgan deliberately chooses to conceal specific clues as to his lover’s gender or appearance. This allows the poem to be appreciated by all. Morgan is deliberately ambiguous so the reader can substitute their own object of affection.
Tense / “the ones we had”
“sitting on the step”
“in my memory
lean back again
let me love you” / Morgan begins in the past tense but uses the present tense to draw the reader into the situation. Emphasises the vividness of the memory as we can relive it too.
As the first stanza of the poem ends the poet returns to the memory again using present tense; as if trying to hold onto that passionate moment when their love was uncomplicated.
Tone / “we” and “our”
“my”, “me”, “in my arms”, “in my memory” / The tone of the poem, in the beginning, is very romantic and celebratory This is obvious in the first part of the stanza as it focuses on the joint recollection of the moment.
The focus changes and becomes more singular as Morgan examines the natures of relationship and how they change. Tone now becomes wistful and regretful as Morgan is focused on his own unique perspective of that day. A longing tone is used to show his wish for the lost afternoon of love again.
Word Choice / “sultry”
“feast”
“your eager mouth”
“glistening” / Emphasises the intensity of the heat and also points to the sensual nature of the passion and the moment.
This word is used to describe the enjoyment they both take in each other by delaying their ultimate gratification.
Creates the absolute passion they share as they take pleasure in each other physically.
Sensual connotations of moist and shining. Could suggest sexual passion or that the red strawberries shine like precious jewels, tempting the lovers to eat them. Experience remembered so fondly that it could be one of great beauty and perfection.
Imagery / “abandoned like a child” (simile) / During the second stanza, Morgan recalls their passion for each other re-establishes the implicit sense of trust between the two lovers he asserts just as children are pure, innocent and implicated, so too is the nature of the love they feel for each other. Hints towards the love still being ‘new’ and as it matures that innate sense of trust dissipates.
Use of Senses / “your knees held in mine”
“facing each other”
“dipped them in sugar” / Focus on touch, sight and taste clearly demonstrates the significance of these senses on the poet to accurately recall the afternoon. Senses are incredibly important as this is what introduces the memory and transports the poet to the past. “your knees held in mine”creates an image of two people who are interlocked and completely attached to each other. Emphasises the intimacy of the couple.
“glistening
in the hot sunlight” / Taste – this focuses on the strawberries’ succulence and their taste is also emphasised in “we dipped them in sugar”. Feeding each other sugar-coated strawberries is a deeply sensual act.
Practice Essay Questions (Higher)
2004 (Q12)
Choose a poem in which the poet explores the significance of a passage of the passage of time.
Explain why the passage of time is significant in this poem and discus the means by which the poet explores the significance.
2004 (Q13)
Choose two love poems.
By comparing the treatment of the subject in each poem, discuss which you find more successful. (Would work well with ‘One Cigarette’)
2004 (Q14)
Choose a poem in which a chance encounter or seemingly unimportant incident acquires increased significance by the end of the poem.
Show how the pet’s development of the encounter or incident leads you to a deeper understanding of the poem’s theme.
2005 (Q12)
Choose a poem in which a specific setting is strongly evoked.
Show how the poet creates this sense of time/place, and discuss the relative importance of the setting to the poem as a whole.
2006 (Q12)
Choose a poem in which there is a noticeable change in mood at one or more than one point in the poem.
Show how the poet conveys the change(s) of mood and discuss the importance of the change(s) to the central idea of the poem.
2006 (Q14)
Choose two poems by the same poet which you consider similar in theme and style.
By referring to theme and style in both poems, discuss which poem you prefer.
2006 (Q15)
Choose a poem which explores one of the following subjects: bravery, compassion, tenderness.
Show how the poet’s exploration of the subject appeals to you emotionally and/or intellectually.
2008 (Q13)
Choose a poem which is strongly linked to a specific location.
Show how the poet captures the essence of the location and exploits this to explore and important theme.
2008 (Q14)
Choose two poems which explore human relationships.
By referring to both poems discuss which you consider to be the more convincing portrayal of a relationship.
2009 (Q12)
Choose a poem in which the poet explores one of the following emotions: anguish, dissatisfaction, regret, loss.
Show how the poet explores the emotion and discuss to what extent he or she is
successful in deepening your understanding of it.
2010 (Q14)
Choose a poem in which there is an element of ambiguity.
Show how the poet’s use of ambiguity enriches your appreciation of the poem as a whole.
2010 (Q15)
Choose a poem in which the creation of mood or atmosphere is an important feature.
Show how the poet creates the mood or atmosphere, and discuss its importance in your appreciation of the poem as a whole.
Evaluation Guide
When you get to the ‘E’ part of your PCQE paragraph, use this guide to help you evaluate the use of particular techniques.
Worked Essay Plan: Human Emotion