Belonging Poetry Question HELP!!! (1 Viewer)

[Jazilue]

Hey everyone,
I'm having a bit of trouble answering a homework question: "In what ways has the pet used imagery to create an understanding of how the surfers belong to the sea?"

The poem is "Land's End" by John Foulcher.

Out on the sea, the surfers are spider
in their black wetsuits, clutching their boards to them
like white moths.
The sea is tin
under the overcast light sky, the air
hangs like washing on a still day's line.

Then a large wave roars from the water - they hunt it
down, kill it, doubling back;
they fight with each other
too, black grappling hooks locked over cold iron...
There's a beach further down, they tell me,
you can't go near: on Sundays
they bury a cat in the sand, mow its head off - this
frees them of picnic families.

It's not so much - a little blood,
a clean beach.

The day shuts tight, the moon floats up, trailing light,
over the water
like a jelly fish - stung
with this gold,
the sea glides silently out.

 

[aphorae]

Just a few points

- Metaphor of the spiders/moths gives the impression that the surfers are in their natural habitat, indicating the strong connection between the surfers and the sea (the sea shapes their identity)
- Furthered by the vividness of the 'roar'ing waves and their 'hunt'ing, primitive instincts which suggest their familiarity with and natural attachment to the area
- Harsh imagery of the black grappling hooks locked over cold iron highlights their lack of fear, their courage in braving the natural elements, and their proximity to the waves themselves, further underscoring the surfers' natural/instinctive connection to the sea

 

[tigerian]

sent private email with some details

 

[Jazilue]

Thankyou so much!