Overview
This lecture analyzes the poem "What Life Is Really Like" by Beverly Raycroft, focusing on its themes of suffering, resilience, and the poet’s relationship with her father.
Poet & Background
- Beverly Raycroft was born in Eastern Cape, studied at University of Cape Town and Wits, and later became a writer and journalist.
- Her poetry often explores mortality, illness, and hope for recovery.
Poem Summary & Themes
- The poem centers on the poet's father teaching her that life is harsh and she must "toughen up."
- Experiences such as killing a chicken and stitching a wounded pigeon are used to illustrate life's cruelty.
- Themes include cruelty, fate, and the psychological effects of growing up with an awareness of hardship.
Structure & Style
- The poem is a lyrical free verse with 43 uneven lines divided into 8 stanzas.
- Free verse means lines vary in length and the poem does not follow a rigid structure.
Content & Imagery
- The father's lessons are often harsh, using direct and graphic imagery to convey life's difficulties.
- Graphic scenes (e.g., chickens’ heads being chopped, wounded pigeons) represent the need to become resilient.
- The poet is involved directly in these harsh experiences, shaping her worldview.
Tone & Contrast
- The father's tone is initially strict and angry, treating his daughter as if she were a student.
- As the poem progresses, especially after the poet's illness, the father becomes gentle and silent while caring for her.
- This contrast highlights growth and vulnerability on both sides.
Diction & Figurative Language
- Strong diction (e.g., "chopped off," "mutilated," "garroted") emphasizes violence and toughness.
- Personification and metaphor are used (e.g., pigeon "crazed for home," chest compared to "bulldozed soil").
- Repetition ("I waited and waited") shows anticipation for hardship.
- Contrast marks the change in the father’s demeanor from harsh to gentle.
Exam Tips & Typical Questions
- Be able to identify and explain the effectiveness of figures of speech (not just define them).
- Support theme analysis with direct evidence (quoted lines).
- Expect questions about tone, mood, structure, and the effectiveness of imagery.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Lyrical poem — poetry expressing personal feelings, often like a song.
- Diction — word choice by the poet to create meaning or tone.
- Imagery — vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses.
- Personification — giving human qualities to non-human things.
- Metaphor — comparing two unrelated things for effect.
- Enjambment — the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line.
- Contrast — showing differences between two concepts or moments.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the poem, noting imagery, diction, and structure.
- Practice identifying figurative language and explaining its impact.
- Prepare sample responses using direct quotes for theme, tone, and structure questions.