Question 1
Explain the ways in which the title of this poem is unusual, and comment on whether or not it is effective in relation to the poem’s contents.
The title of the poem by Finuala Dowling, to the doctor who treated the raped baby and felt such despair, gives an indication of the subject, tone and contents of the poem. It also suggests to whom the poem is addressed, “to the doctor…” The title is unusual because it refers to the doctor, “… who treated the raped baby.” In other words, it describes the heroic act of the doctor, which is usually described in the poem’s contents. An emotional connection is also implied, “…who felt such despair.” This can indicate the doctor’s feelings towards the brutal rape of an infant. The word “and” in …show more content…
What does he or she mean by this? Write a paragraph in which you refer closely to the poem to discuss the effectiveness of Dowling’s use of plural pronouns.
The speaker is the voice of all the individuals going about their ordinary lives when she states that she is speaking "on behalf of us all” (line 1).The phrase alludes a sign of gratitude (Jacobi, 2016). The speaker and the people who are being referred to by the use of the first person plural pronoun, “we” might be showing appreciation because "…we all slept in trust (Moffet, 2013)” (line 22), believing the doctor is doing his/her job and trusting the doctor’s abilities.
Another meaning of using the phrase "on behalf of us all (Moffet, 2013)" (line 1) is more clear. The use of the plural pronouns "us" and "we" indicate that many people are unified in the way they feel (Jacobi, 2016). This is not just the speaker's point of view, it is shared by many others. The speaker's opinion has more weight and objectivity because it is shared by other people. On the other hand, the use of "us" and "we”, also separate the group from the individual people who assist to the victim’s care and needs. This collective does not form part of the other group that is being referred to in the poem. The other individuals like the shepherd in line 6 or the "bleary-eyed uncle (Moffet, 2013)" in line 14 who, in some way, contribute to child care in the same and opposite manner as the doctor (Jacobi,
Explain the ways in which the title of this poem is unusual, and comment on whether or not it is effective in relation to the poem’s contents.
The title of the poem by Finuala Dowling, to the doctor who treated the raped baby and felt such despair, gives an indication of the subject, tone and contents of the poem. It also suggests to whom the poem is addressed, “to the doctor…” The title is unusual because it refers to the doctor, “… who treated the raped baby.” In other words, it describes the heroic act of the doctor, which is usually described in the poem’s contents. An emotional connection is also implied, “…who felt such despair.” This can indicate the doctor’s feelings towards the brutal rape of an infant. The word “and” in …show more content…
What does he or she mean by this? Write a paragraph in which you refer closely to the poem to discuss the effectiveness of Dowling’s use of plural pronouns.
The speaker is the voice of all the individuals going about their ordinary lives when she states that she is speaking "on behalf of us all” (line 1).The phrase alludes a sign of gratitude (Jacobi, 2016). The speaker and the people who are being referred to by the use of the first person plural pronoun, “we” might be showing appreciation because "…we all slept in trust (Moffet, 2013)” (line 22), believing the doctor is doing his/her job and trusting the doctor’s abilities.
Another meaning of using the phrase "on behalf of us all (Moffet, 2013)" (line 1) is more clear. The use of the plural pronouns "us" and "we" indicate that many people are unified in the way they feel (Jacobi, 2016). This is not just the speaker's point of view, it is shared by many others. The speaker's opinion has more weight and objectivity because it is shared by other people. On the other hand, the use of "us" and "we”, also separate the group from the individual people who assist to the victim’s care and needs. This collective does not form part of the other group that is being referred to in the poem. The other individuals like the shepherd in line 6 or the "bleary-eyed uncle (Moffet, 2013)" in line 14 who, in some way, contribute to child care in the same and opposite manner as the doctor (Jacobi,