Higher English: 10 mark question: Maccaig: Nature

Loss is dealt with in many of Maccaigs poems.

To set out the 10 mark question;

2 marks: say how nature 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 nature
6 marks: quote from other poems showing how they portray nature.

Here are the examples I would use:

Basking Shark - In Basking shark Maccaig reflects on an encounter he had with a shark while out on a loch in Scotland.

Quotes I would use:
- "sea tin-tacked with rain" - suggests heavy harsh sounding weather. "t" is unpleasent, suggests discomfort.
- "to stub an oar on a rock" - creates an idea of surprise. "rock" suggests very slow, unwilling to move.

Aunt Julia - In Aunt Julia Maccaig reflects on the fond memories he has of his Aunt Julia who lived on a remove Scottish island.

Quotes I would use:

- "sandy grave" - suggests poor, typical Scottish island like death bed. Much like her lifestyle.

- "she was buckets" - imagery links her to the every day natural jobs of people living on islands.

- "crickets being friendly" - creates a pleasant, safe atmosphere. Suggests Maccaig felt at home.

Memorial - In memorial Maccaig reflects on the deep emotions he feels after the loss of someone very close to him.

Quotes I would use:
- "fish leap onto the sun" - the reversal of every day things that happen, much like death is the reversal of normal things.
- "no crocus is carved more gently" - shows the beauty and care he felt for her, and how much she meant to him.