War Photographer
Besides the title, what lines alluded to this poem being set during a war?
- line 11: "fields which don't explode beneath the feet"
- line 18: "the blood stained into foreign dust"
- line 19: "A hundred agonies"
In which stanza did the narrator switch point of view?
stanza 5
What choice did the speaker make at the end of the poem?
Embrace the feelings they had and choose love.
What is the rhyme scheme within the poem?
ABBCDD
What is the significance of the title?
"Shooting Stars" refers to the genocide of Jewish people, as the Nazis were shooting them. The Star of David is a symbol of Jewish people.
Where and how does the attitude of the poem change?
4th stanza; A negative attitude about their feelings shifts to a positive attitude where they express their feeling
What was the prominent theme in the last stanza?
The apathy of the readers
What is the rhyme scheme within the poem?
TRICK QUESTION! There is none
Why did Duffy use the title "By Heart" for the poem?
She compares internalizing her feelings for someone with her identity, as she is a queer individual who once had to hide her identity from others.
What was the tone switch within the poem?
ie: from ___ to ___
From distraught to bitter
What literary device is used in "the world turns in its sleep" and what is its significance?
Personification; used to signify change
What does the 3rd stanza's use of hiding feelings signify?
How queer people had to hide their identity
What war was this poem placed around?
Vietnam War
Besides war, what was the biggest theme of the poem, and why did Duffy want to incorporate this theme?
Remembrance; a poem to those who were affected by the Nazis and a call to continue remembering our terrible past so it doesn't happen again.
What is this poem an allegory for?
The need for queer people to hide their feelings from others to prevent persecution and discrimination.