Imagery and Symbolism in Ocean Poetry

Imagery and Symbolism

• The poem employs vivid imagery to describe the ocean and its inhabitants
• The "crow-blue mussel-shells" symbolize resilience and adaptation
• "Barnacles which encrust the side of the wave" represent the constant struggle for survival
• "Submerged shafts of the sun" highlight the interplay of light and water
• "Pink rice-grains, ink-bespattered jelly fish, crabs like green lilies, and submarine toadstools" evoke a diverse and vibrant underwater world
• The "defiant edifice" refers to the cliff, which is a symbol of endurance and resilience

Themes

• The poem explores themes of nature's power and resilience
• The constant movement of the ocean and its inhabitants highlights the dynamic nature of life
• The "chasm-side" represents the vulnerability of the cliff, yet its ability to live on, despite the absence of youth, emphasizes survival and adaptation

Literary Devices

• The use of metaphors and similes ("crow-blue mussel-shells", "like spun glass", "crabs like green lilies") emphasizes the poetic language and sensory appeal of the text
• The repetition of "the" create rhythm and emphasis
• The poem's free verse form allows for a natural flow of words, mirroring the unpredictable nature of the ocean

Picnic at Hanging Rock

• Extract A describes a school trip to Hanging Rock from a girls' college.
• Students, teachers and the coach driver traveled in a horse-drawn coach, passing familiar landmarks like the Comptons' cottage and willows.
• The atmosphere was lively despite rules like "SILENCE WAS GOLDEN" imposed at the school.
• As the heat grew, girls asked to remove their hats, but the governess refused, emphasizing the need for decorum.
• The rhythmic journey made the passengers drowsy and they stopped for a picnic in the shade of a white gum tree.

The Family Law

• Extract B describes the author Benjamin Law's family, who avoided outdoor activities.
• His mother disliked the beach because of the sand it brought into their home.
• His father disapproved of wearing thongs ("flip-flops") because he considered them bad for the toes.
• The family never camped, finding all aspects of it unappealing, including pitching tents, cooking over fires, insects, and sleeping on rocks.
• They preferred theme parks as a form of family entertainment.