'As it Should Be' by Derek Mahon analysis
16 Questions
3 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What primary theme is explored in ‘As it Should Be’?

  • Nature and its beauty
  • Morality and decision-making (correct)
  • Historical events and timelines
  • Love and companionship

What literary form does Mahon use in ‘As it Should Be’?

  • Haiku
  • Ode
  • Free verse
  • Sonnet (correct)

How does Mahon create a sense of pace in the poem?

  • With rhyme schemes
  • By using repetitive phrases
  • Through enjambment (correct)
  • By shortening the lines

What imagery is predominant in the opening of ‘As it Should Be’?

<p>Violent and chaotic scenes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the speaker assume in the poem?

<p>A man who has committed murder (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which historical context is relevant to ‘As it Should Be’?

<p>The Troubles in Northern Ireland (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contrasting imagery is used in the line describing 'ten sleeping lorries'?

<p>Serene and peaceful (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker's attitude towards the victim depicted in the poem?

<p>He dehumanises the victim as a 'mad bastard'. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the mention of the 'electricity generator' contribute to the poem's meaning?

<p>It enhances the mechanical and unnatural atmosphere. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What literary device is used by Mahon to increase the pace in the poem?

<p>Enjambment (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What unsettling contrast is presented in the penultimate stanza?

<p>School hours versus the burial of a body. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does Mahon create by removing the capital letter at the start of the last line?

<p>It softens the tone of the violent conclusion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the speaker justify the act of violence to himself?

<p>He believes it protects the children. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'a world with method in it' suggest about the speaker's beliefs?

<p>He thinks violence is necessary to achieve peace. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What theme does the poem suggest regarding the justification of violence?

<p>Justifying violence often leads to further complications. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What emotional response does the speaker anticipate from the children regarding his actions?

<p>Gratitude for living in a safe world. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Poem's Perspective

The poem is told from the viewpoint of a murderer, exploring violence and justice.

Vigilantism in the Poem

The poem questions if taking the law into one's own hands is ever justified.

Violence Theme

The central theme showing the brutality of violent acts and justifications.

Villain/Outsider

The poem examines both the killer's perspective and society's view of the outsider.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Moral Decision-Making

The poem challenges the idea of moral correctness in violent acts.

Signup and view all the flashcards

The Troubles Reflection

The poem relates to the Northern Ireland conflict and historical violence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Human Suffering

The poem acknowledges the emotional and physical damage caused by violence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Sonnet Form

The poem uses a non-traditional sonnet structure, more complex in arrangement.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Villainous Voice

The speaker is a morally ambiguous figure justifying their actions.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Enjambment in the Poem

The urgency and frenzied thoughts of the speaker are enhanced by enjambment.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Violent Imagery in the Poem

The poem powerfully describes the murder scene with vivid violent language.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Personification Example

The 'blind yard' symbolizes a place unwilling to witness the violence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Allusion to Denis Johnston

The poem references Johnston's play to connect with similar themes of Irish violence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Capital Letter Removal

The poem's subversion of typical formatting, for a different tone.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Opening Lines of the Poem

Describes the hunting and killing of the victim, giving a visceral impact.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Dehumanizing Language

The speaker's use of negative terms towards the victim, highlighting the violence.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Romantic Ideals Dismissed

The speaker rejects romantic ideals, preferring the violent solution.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Violence with Children's Peace

The disturbing contradiction between violence and the hopes for peace.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Conviction of Order Through Violence

The poem's concluding idea that violence creates order, is a questionable statement.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Justice, Morality, and Societal Impact

The poem highlights important questions about the impact of violence on society.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Moral Stance Complication

The speaker's strong moral convictions make the poem more complex.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Overview of 'As it Should Be'

  • The poem is narrated from the perspective of a man who has committed murder, exploring themes of violence and justice.
  • It questions the morality of taking the law into one's own hands, considering different societal perspectives on vigilantism.
  • The speaker insists that society is safer following the act of violence.

Key Themes

  • Violence: Central to the poem, illustrating the brutality and justifications surrounding violent acts.
  • Villain and Outsider: Examines the perspective of both the perpetrator and society's view of the outsiders.
  • Morality and Decision-Making: Challenges the notion of moral correctness in violent retribution.
  • The Troubles: Reflects on violence in Northern Ireland, enriching the context with historical significance.
  • Human Suffering: Acknowledges the emotional and physical consequences of violent acts on individuals and society.

Stylistic Elements

  • Sonnet Form: Non-traditional sonnet structure with varied tercet arrangements, enhancing complexity.
  • Villainous Voice: The speaker embodies a morally ambiguous figure, presenting a chilling rationale for his actions.
  • Enjambment: Creates urgency and reflects the speaker's frenzied mindset during the violent act.
  • Violent Imagery: Evocative language paints a graphic picture of the murder scene.
  • Personification: The “blind yard” symbolises a site unwilling to witness violence, amplifying the unsettling mood.
  • Allusion: References to Denis Johnston's play 'Moon in the Yellow River' deepen thematic connections to Irish violence.
  • Capital Letter Removal: Intentionally alters conventions for a softer impact, suggesting a subversion of normalcy in the narrative.

Analytical Insights

  • Opening lines depict the hunting and murdering of the victim, establishing a dark tone through visceral details of the Irish landscape.
  • The speaker employs derogatory language towards the victim, reinforcing a dehumanising attitude.
  • The reference to the play and the drowning poet alludes to romantic ideals, dismissed by the speaker in favor of a violent solution.
  • The juxtaposition of the violence with children's peace raises unsettling questions about justification and consequences.
  • The concluding assertion presents a conviction of order through violence, challenging the reader to question the implications of such beliefs.

Final Thoughts

  • The poem ultimately poses critical questions about justice, morality, and the societal impact of violence.
  • The speaker’s firm belief in his moral stance complicates notions of right and wrong, prompting deep reflection on the nature of humanity and the chaos of violent actions.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Description

Explore the nuanced themes within the poem 'As it Should Be,' which delves into the mind of a man reflecting on his act of murder. This quiz examines the moral complexities of violence and justice, particularly in the context of societal perspectives on vigilantism and its historical ties to The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser