Question 1: Identify two poetic techniques used in the extract and explain their effect.

Answer: Examples include simile ('globed like a full sail') and imagery (descriptive language of the farm scene), which emphasise the strength and skill of the father, highlighting themes of social labour and aspiration.

Question 2: Discuss how the poem reflects social issues related to class and labour.

Answer: The poem portrays the physical labour of the working class and the aspirations of the narrator to rise above social boundaries, highlighting themes of social mobility and inequality.

Question 3: What is the significance of the comparison between the father's shoulders and a full sail?

Answer: It emphasises the father's strength and the magnitude of his physical labour, symbolising both pride and social burden.

Question 4: Analyse the tone of the poem and how it contributes to its social message.

Answer: The tone is admiring and reflective, illustrating respect for the father's hard work while also hinting at a longing for social recognition and mobility.

Question 5: Identify any instances of alliteration or consonance and discuss their purpose.

Answer: Examples include 'struck' and 'strung', which create a musical quality and emphasize the physical effort involved in labour.

Question 6: Creative Writing Task: Imagine you are a child witnessing this scene. Write a diary entry describing your feelings about your father's work and your own aspirations.

Answer: See full answer key

Question 7: How does the poem challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles within the context of social labour?

Answer: The poem depicts a male figure engaged in physical labour, reinforcing traditional gender roles but also subtly suggests pride and strength associated with masculinity within working-class society.

Question 8: Write a short paragraph explaining how the poem might inspire discussions about social justice and equity.

Answer: The poem highlights the dignity of manual labour and the aspirations tied to social mobility, encouraging students to consider how society values different types of work and the barriers faced by the working class.

Question 9: Identify and explain any symbolic elements present in the extract.

Answer: Symbols include the 'full sail' representing strength and the 'blackboard of the sky' indicating the vastness and unpredictability of social and natural forces shaping lives.