Winter Swans By Owen Sheers

Question 1

Form of the poem

Answer 1

Mostly written in tercetos (three line stanzas)-makes each stanza look unbalanced
Uneven lines and lack of rhyme scheme-feeling of disjointedness (troubled nature of the relationship )
Enjambment reflects its continuity
Final stanza is a couplet

Question 2

Structure of the poem

Answer 2

Narrator and his partner are separated for the first 5 stanzas, but reunite in the final 2 stanzas
Swans provide a turning point at stanza 3

Question 3

Effects of natural imagery in the poem

Answer 3

Reflects the struggles in their relationship and then improves
Swans are a metaphor for their relationship

Question 4

Effects of direct speech

Answer 4

Small piece of dialogue, shifts focus back onto the couple

Question 5

Quotes to learn

Answer 5

“The waterlogged earth”
“Gulping for breath at our feet”
“Tipping in unison”
“Icebergs of white feathers”
“Our hands....folded...like a pair of wings settling after flight”

Question 6

“Settling after flight “

Answer 6

Shows that change in the couples attitudes-solved their problems

Question 7

“Icebergs”

Answer 7

Metaphor

More underneath suggests the couple have strong foundations

Question 8

“Gulping for breath”

Answer 8

Implies struggle and desperation for their relationship

Personification