Mid-Term Break - Poetry Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a mid-term break?

A mid-term break is a short holiday in the middle of a long term.

Is this poem really about a mid-term break?

False

If not, what then is the poem about?

The poem is about the poet returning home after the death of his little brother.

What is meant by 'the first person'?

The first person is indicated by the use of the pronoun 'I'. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think the poet decided to use the first person in this poem?

The story becomes more personal as the poet speaks directly to the reader. Signup and view all the answers

What two facts mentioned in stanza 1 would probably puzzle the average reader?

Why is the poet spending the morning in the college sick bay? Why did neighbours bring him home and not a family member? Signup and view all the answers

Why is the word 'knelling' more effective than 'ringing' in the context of the poem?

The word 'knelling' is associated with bells tolling for a funeral. Signup and view all the answers

What two facts suggest that something tragic has happened?

His father meets him crying, and Big Jim Evans refers to 'a hard blow'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the two dashes in lines 4 and 5?

They act as parentheses to include additional information about the father. Signup and view all the answers

Which word in particular is an example of foreshadowing in this stanza?

Funerals Signup and view all the answers

How do the emotions of the baby contrast with those of the people around her?

The baby is happy to see her big brother while the adults are sad and grief-stricken. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think the poet mentions the baby?

The baby's reaction contrasts with the adults and briefly lightens the sad mood. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why the poet would be embarrassed by 'old men standing up to shake my hand.'

It was strange for old men to stand up and shake the hand of a teenage boy. Signup and view all the answers

What euphemism from this stanza indicates foreshadowing?

'My trouble' refers to the tragic death of his brother. Signup and view all the answers

What reasons would the people present whisper?

They were talking about the poet without wanting him to overhear. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think people found it necessary to state that the poet was 'the eldest'?

They were establishing his position in the family as a support to his parents. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the use of enjambment achieve?

The poet increases the pace of the story and moves it forward quickly. Signup and view all the answers

Contrast the mother's emotional response to that of the father.

The mother is distraught but more controlled than the father who weeps openly. Signup and view all the answers

What information does the reader still not have regarding the time reference?

The reader does not yet know whose corpse has arrived at the house. Signup and view all the answers

Comment on the use of the word 'corpse.'

It has an impersonal ring, suggesting a morbid sense of detachment from the death. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think the poet 'went up into the room'?

He wished to see his little brother for the last time and bid him farewell. Signup and view all the answers

What is the symbolism of candles?

Candles are associated with prayer and the presence of the spirit of God. Signup and view all the answers

Comment on the use of the word 'soothed.'

It means to calm or bring comfort; the candlelight eases grief. Signup and view all the answers

What information has this stanza provided the reader?

'I saw him' indicates it is a male family member. Signup and view all the answers

What do you think a 'poppy bruise' would look like?

A reddish bruise with uneven edges. Signup and view all the answers

Comment on the use of the word 'wearing.'

The bruise appears as if he could remove it like an article of clothing. Signup and view all the answers

Why are poppies significant in the poem?

Poppies symbolize sleep, peace, and death; they are associated with the loss. Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'box' to which the poet refers, and what is it being compared to?

The box is the coffin compared to a cot. Signup and view all the answers

Quote an example of alliteration and assonance in line 20.

Alliteration: 'four foot'; Assonance: 'box' and 'cot'. Signup and view all the answers

What further information has this stanza provided the reader?

The boy is in a coffin the size of a cot, confirming he is a little boy. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does the poet achieve with the one-line stanza at the end?

He draws attention to and emphasizes the shortness of his brother's life. Signup and view all the answers

What factual information does the reader glean from the final line?

His brother was four years old when he died. Signup and view all the answers

For what reason was the poet allowed a mid-term break?

To attend his little brother's funeral. Signup and view all the answers

How many siblings were there in the family?

Three siblings: the poet, his four-year-old brother, and the baby sister. Signup and view all the answers

What is particularly sad or tragic about this story?

The poet's brother died at such a young age after being knocked over by a car. Signup and view all the answers

Contrast the response of the poet to this tragedy with that of his parents.

The poet controlled his emotions while his father cried and mother became distraught. Signup and view all the answers

What are the themes of this poem?

Confronting death; grief; the fragility of life; growing up suddenly. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tone in this poem?

Sad; sorrowful; calm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mood in this poem?

Sorrowful; sombre; tragic. Signup and view all the answers

What does the title show?

It reflects his perspective and the severed nature of his life due to tragedy. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'sick bay' refer to?

It refers to his emotional sickness. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'counting' signify?

It indicates looking for a distraction. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bells knelling' suggest?

It evokes the lingering sound associated with funerals. Signup and view all the answers

What does the precise time reference signify?

It shows how traumatic the experience was for the poet. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'neighbours drove me home' imply?

It indicates a separation from his family who are also traumatized. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'I met my father crying' suggest?

It indicates a shift in his father's usual demeanor, revealing deep sorrow. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'He had always taken funerals in his stride' signify?

It illustrates how deeply this particular loss has affected him. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'And Big Jim Evans' evoke?

It signifies strong masculine figures showing compassion and vulnerability. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'it was a hard blow' imply?

It reflects emotional shock and downplays the extent of the tragedy. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The baby cooed and laughed' suggest?

It shows that the tragedy hasn't fully sunk in and that life goes on. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'I was embarrassed' convey?

It indicates discomfort at being looked at after not seeing his brother for 6 weeks. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'old men standing up' signify?

It shows respect and the adult gesture in the context of maturity. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'to shake my hand' reflect?

It represents the conservative and patriarchal society dynamics. Signup and view all the answers

What does the enjambment in stanza 3 illustrate?

It shows that the grief will never stop. Signup and view all the answers

'sorry for my trouble' conveys what?

It sounds like a generic phrase devoid of real emotion. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Whispers' imply?

It suggests a certain rudeness and awkwardness in the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'I was the eldest' communicate?

It indicates a sense of responsibility placed on him. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'my mother held my hand' suggest?

It indicates vulnerability and instability among the adults. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'In hers and coughed out angry tearless sighs' imply?

It describes a suffocating aspect of grief and the physical expression of emotion. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'At ten o'clock the ambulance arrived' signify?

It captures a vivid memory of a specific traumatic moment. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'the corpse' indicate?

It conveys a clinical detachment, confirming the death. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'stanched and bandaged by the nurses' imply?

It shows trauma and care from medical personnel. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'candles soothed the bedside' imply?

It usually represents a child being soothed, but here it denotes comfort in mourning. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'I saw him' reveal?

It humanizes the poet’s brother, reinforcing their relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Paler now' suggest?

It implies he was still present but fading. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'wearing a poppy bruise' symbolize?

It associates grief and remembrance with the imagery of poppies. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'four foot box as in his cot' convey?

It depicts peacefulness, as if he were asleep, while emphasizing his young age. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'no gaudy scars' suggest?

It indicates that he does not appear disfigured and nothing emphasizes his death. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bumper knocked him clear' highlight?

It emphasizes the power of the car that caused the accident. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'a four foot box, a foot for every year' emphasize?

It powerfully highlights the poet's brother's age and the tragedy of early death. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Morning' represent?

The time before noon. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Knelling' refer to?

The sound of bells ringing at a funeral. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Neighbours' mean?

People who live beside you. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Porch'?

A small covered entryway to a house. Signup and view all the answers

What do 'Funerals' refer to?

Rituals for burying dead people. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Stride' mean?

A confident walk. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Cooed' mean?

It refers to the baby talking in a soft, gentle manner. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Laughed' signify?

It can mean tittered or chortled. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Embarrassed' refer to?

Feeling uncomfortable because people are looking at you. Signup and view all the answers

What do 'Whispers' signify?

Speaking in a soft voice. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Informed' mean?

Told. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'Strangers'?

People you don't know. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Eldest' mean?

Oldest. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Coughed' mean?

To clear your throat and make a noise. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Tearless' imply?

Unable to cry anymore. Signup and view all the answers

What do 'Sighs' mean?

A long breath that expresses sadness. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Ambulance' refer to?

A vehicle to bring people to hospital and home. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Arrived' mean?

Came to a place. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Corpse'?

A dead body. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Stanched' mean?

Blood flow was stopped. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Bandaged' refer to?

A cloth wrapping which protects a wound. Signup and view all the answers

What do 'Nurses' do?

People who take care of the sick and injured. Signup and view all the answers

What do 'Candles' refer to?

Solid wax tubes which can be lit. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Soothed' mean?

Calmed, comforted. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Poppy'?

A red flower. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Bruise' mean?

A purplish mark as a result of injury. Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Temple'?

The side of the forehead. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Gaudy' mean?

Showy, obvious. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Background of "Mid-Term Break"

A mid-term break traditionally refers to a short holiday in the middle of a school term, typically associated with leisure and enjoyment.
The poem, however, depicts a somber reality, addressing a tragic family situation rather than a typical holiday.

Central Theme

The poem revolves around the poet's return home following the death of his younger brother, presenting the poignancy of grief and loss.
The narrative contrasts anticipated joy against the harshness of bereavement, setting a tone of unexpected sorrow.

First-Person Perspective

The use of the first person (“I”) creates a deeply personal experience, drawing readers into the poet's intimate emotions and experiences surrounding the tragedy.

Initial Stanza Analysis

The first stanza poses questions raising curiosity, such as the poet's presence in a college sick bay and why neighbors brought him home instead of family, hinting at something amiss.
The term "knelling," implying funeral bells, foreshadows the death and adds a layer of foreboding.

Emotional Revelations

The sight of the poet's father crying reveals a breaking of his stoic demeanor, signifying deep emotional pain, which is uncommon for him.
Big Jim Evans’ mention of a "hard blow" underscores the severity of the tragedy without explicit detail.

Contrasting Emotions

In stanza three, a baby's joyful reaction to seeing her brother contrasts sharply with the adults’ grief, illustrating innocence amidst tragedy.
The poet feels embarrassed by the unexpected respect shown by adults, highlighting his youth in a traditionally patriarchal environment.

Building Tension

A euphemism, “my trouble,” subtly points to the immense loss without detailing it, illustrating societal discomfort around grief and mortality.
Whispering among attendees indicates a desire to shield the poet from the full weight of the tragedy while maintaining respect for the family.

Escalation of Grief

Stanza four builds tension as the reader still lacks precise information on what has happened, reflecting the confusion and heaviness of the moment.
The mother’s stability in grief contrasts with the father’s openly expressed sorrow, showcasing how different individuals process loss.

Final Stages of Grief

The poignant imagery of snowdrops symbolizes hope and renewal, while candles represent the presence of the divine, offering a sense of comfort amid tragedy.
The diction choice of "corpse" denotes emotional distance, starkly presenting the reality of death.

Visual Imagery

The phrase "poppy bruise" evokes the idea of a vivid, painful mark, associating it with themes of death and remembrance.
The comparison of the coffin to a cot reinforces the brother's youth and reinforces the tragic loss.

Concluding Reflections

The final line highlights the short life of the brother, encapsulating the loss succinctly yet powerfully.
The poem ultimately reflects on themes of grief, the brevity of life, and the harsh confrontation with death, particularly through a child's perspective.

Thematic Insights

Major themes include confronting death, the impact of loss on individuals and families, and the fragility of life that can lead to sudden maturity.

Tonal Elements

The overall tone conveys sadness and sorrowful reflection, emphasizing the heaviness of the loss while still allowing for a moment of calm amidst chaos.

Mood and Title Significance

The mood is predominantly sorrowful and tragic, effectively evoking a sense of mourning in readers.
The title "Mid-Term Break" serves as a bitter irony, juxtaposing the idea of a break with the irrevocable fracture caused by death.

Key Terminology

"Sick bay," refers to emotional turmoil rather than a physical ailment.
Words like "knelling," "corpse," and "poppy bruise" contribute significant weight to the poem’s emotional impact, creating vivid imagery tied to loss and remembrance.

Personal Growth

The poet evolves from a child in crisis to a more mature figure who must now support his grieving parents, highlighting the harsh realities of growing up swiftly in the face of tragedy.

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Description

Explore the themes and meanings in Seamus Heaney's poem 'Mid-Term Break' through interactive flashcards. This quiz will challenge your understanding of the poem's deeper significance beyond its surface interpretation. Engage with key concepts and definitions related to this poignant piece of literature.