Higher English: 10 Mark Question: Maccaig: Loss

Loss is dealt with in many of Maccaigs poems.

To set out the 10 mark question;

2 marks: say how loss is shown in each of the poems you will use
2 marks: quote from the poem on the paper and show how the quote portrays loss
6 marks: quote from other poems showing how they portray loss.

Here are the examples I would use:

Memorial - In memorial Maccaig mourns over the loss of someone very dear to him. We understand he is in deep pain, and cannot move on from the memories of her that are in his head.

Quotes for memorial on loss
- "Everywhere she dies" - suggests that the death is constantly in his head
 - "Can't stop dying" - suggests that the death has pained him emotionally
- "through the carousel of language" - the thoughts of death are going round and round his mind
- "a true fiction" - oxymoron highlights the downcast tone and bleak outlook of Maccaig 
- "no sunrise, no city square..." - memories of times he spent with her are no more, he cannot enjoy these beautiful places without being reminded of her

Sounds of the day - In sounds of the day we see the stark contrast in Maccaigs outlook before and after someone he loves has left him. This is done through the description of sounds.

Quotes for sounds of the day on loss
- "you left me"- accusational tone suggests anger within Maccaig
- "quietest fire" - emphasises that his emotions are numbed. Contrasts to "air creaked" - Maccaig use to be able to hear very quiet sounds and now he cannot even hear a fire.
- "clatter came" - ordinary sound, emphasised by repetition of "c". This contrasts to the lack of sound after the loss
- "it was the end" - finality, very downcast tone, shows Maccaigs bleak outlook.

Aunt Julia - In Aunt Julia Maccaig looks back of fond times he spend with his Aunt on a Scottish island. 

Quotes for Aunt Julia on loss

- "getting angry, getting angry" - emphasises how annoying the communication barrier was. Also suggests how annoyed he is now that he was never able to speak to her.

- "silenced" - suggests she was unwilling to be quiet, and die. Much like her very vivid and strong character.