THE DISCARDMENT
BY ALAN PATON
,Contents
Tone.............................................................................................................................................................3
Mood...........................................................................................................................................................3
Structure......................................................................................................................................................3
Message.......................................................................................................................................................3
Analysis line by line......................................................................................................................................4
Stanza 1.......................................................................................................................................................4
Stanza 2.......................................................................................................................................................5
Stanza 3.......................................................................................................................................................7
Questions.....................................................................................................................................................8
Answers.......................................................................................................................................................9
DON’T FORGET TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE DOCUMENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR THIS POEM.......10
Page 1 of 11
,The Discardment by Alan
Paton
1. We gave her a discardment
2. A trifle, a thing no longer to be worn
3. Its purpose served, its life done. Personification
4. She put it on with exclamations,
5. Her eyes shone, she called and cried,
6. The great bulk of her pirouetted
7. She danced and mimed, sang snatches of a song. Alliteration
8. She called out blessings in her native language tongue
9. Called to her fellow-serverants
10. To stranger and to passers-by
11. To all the continent of Africa Hyperbole
12. To see his wonder, to participate
13. In this intolerable joy. Oxymoron
14. And so far nothing
15. Is purchased loyalty and trust
16. And the unquestioning obedience
17. Of the earth’s most rare simplicity
18. So for noting
19. The destruction of a world.
Figures of speech
Diction
important
Page 2 of 11
,Tone
The tone of the poem seems celebratory and joyful at the beginning, as indicated by the
exclamations, shining eyes, and dancing. However, it gradually shifts to a more reflective and
somber tone towards the end.
Mood
The initial mood is one of excitement and happiness, conveyed through the energetic actions
and exclamations of the character.
As the poem progresses, the mood becomes more introspective and contemplative, evoking a
sense of loss and regret.
Structure
The poem does not adhere to a specific rhyme scheme or meter. It is written in free verse,
allowing the poet to experiment with language and imagery.
The use of enjambment (the continuation of a sentence or phrase without a pause beyond the
end of a line) creates a flowing and uninterrupted narrative.
Message
The poem explores the significance and fleeting nature of a certain object or experience.
The lines indicate that the object (possibly a garment or accessory) has outlived its purpose and
is being discarded. However, when the character wears it, she experiences immense joy and
tries to share that joy with others.
The poem suggests that even though the object may seem insignificant or worn-out, it still
possesses the power to create moments of delight and wonder.
The final lines highlight the contrast between the joy experienced and the ultimate
insignificance of the object, emphasizing the transient nature of happiness and the destruction
of the world in comparison.
Page 3 of 11
, Analysis line by line
Stanza 1
This line suggests that the speaker and
others gave something to a female
character.
"We gave her a discardment" The word "discardment" implies that the
object given to her is something that is
no longer needed or wanted, implying its
insignificance.
Here, the speaker describes the object as
a "trifle," emphasizing its trivial or
unimportant nature.
"A trifle, a thing no longer to be worn" The phrase "no longer to be worn"
suggests that the object is an article of
clothing or accessory that has served its
purpose and is now unfit for further use.
In this line, the speaker personifies the
object, treating it as if it has a purpose
and a life of its own.
By stating that the object's purpose has
been served and its life is done, the
speaker implies that it has fulfilled its
intended function and is now deemed
useless.
"Its purpose served, its life done."
The personification in these lines serves
to emphasize the significance given to
the object, even though it is ultimately
portrayed as something disposable.
By attributing purpose and life to the
object, the speaker suggests that even
seemingly insignificant things can have
meaning or value in certain contexts.
In the first stanza of the poem, a discarded item is given to a female character. It is described
as a trifle, no longer to be worn, and having served its purpose. The personification of the
object highlights its significance, despite being disposable.
Page 4 of 11
BY ALAN PATON
,Contents
Tone.............................................................................................................................................................3
Mood...........................................................................................................................................................3
Structure......................................................................................................................................................3
Message.......................................................................................................................................................3
Analysis line by line......................................................................................................................................4
Stanza 1.......................................................................................................................................................4
Stanza 2.......................................................................................................................................................5
Stanza 3.......................................................................................................................................................7
Questions.....................................................................................................................................................8
Answers.......................................................................................................................................................9
DON’T FORGET TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE DOCUMENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR THIS POEM.......10
Page 1 of 11
,The Discardment by Alan
Paton
1. We gave her a discardment
2. A trifle, a thing no longer to be worn
3. Its purpose served, its life done. Personification
4. She put it on with exclamations,
5. Her eyes shone, she called and cried,
6. The great bulk of her pirouetted
7. She danced and mimed, sang snatches of a song. Alliteration
8. She called out blessings in her native language tongue
9. Called to her fellow-serverants
10. To stranger and to passers-by
11. To all the continent of Africa Hyperbole
12. To see his wonder, to participate
13. In this intolerable joy. Oxymoron
14. And so far nothing
15. Is purchased loyalty and trust
16. And the unquestioning obedience
17. Of the earth’s most rare simplicity
18. So for noting
19. The destruction of a world.
Figures of speech
Diction
important
Page 2 of 11
,Tone
The tone of the poem seems celebratory and joyful at the beginning, as indicated by the
exclamations, shining eyes, and dancing. However, it gradually shifts to a more reflective and
somber tone towards the end.
Mood
The initial mood is one of excitement and happiness, conveyed through the energetic actions
and exclamations of the character.
As the poem progresses, the mood becomes more introspective and contemplative, evoking a
sense of loss and regret.
Structure
The poem does not adhere to a specific rhyme scheme or meter. It is written in free verse,
allowing the poet to experiment with language and imagery.
The use of enjambment (the continuation of a sentence or phrase without a pause beyond the
end of a line) creates a flowing and uninterrupted narrative.
Message
The poem explores the significance and fleeting nature of a certain object or experience.
The lines indicate that the object (possibly a garment or accessory) has outlived its purpose and
is being discarded. However, when the character wears it, she experiences immense joy and
tries to share that joy with others.
The poem suggests that even though the object may seem insignificant or worn-out, it still
possesses the power to create moments of delight and wonder.
The final lines highlight the contrast between the joy experienced and the ultimate
insignificance of the object, emphasizing the transient nature of happiness and the destruction
of the world in comparison.
Page 3 of 11
, Analysis line by line
Stanza 1
This line suggests that the speaker and
others gave something to a female
character.
"We gave her a discardment" The word "discardment" implies that the
object given to her is something that is
no longer needed or wanted, implying its
insignificance.
Here, the speaker describes the object as
a "trifle," emphasizing its trivial or
unimportant nature.
"A trifle, a thing no longer to be worn" The phrase "no longer to be worn"
suggests that the object is an article of
clothing or accessory that has served its
purpose and is now unfit for further use.
In this line, the speaker personifies the
object, treating it as if it has a purpose
and a life of its own.
By stating that the object's purpose has
been served and its life is done, the
speaker implies that it has fulfilled its
intended function and is now deemed
useless.
"Its purpose served, its life done."
The personification in these lines serves
to emphasize the significance given to
the object, even though it is ultimately
portrayed as something disposable.
By attributing purpose and life to the
object, the speaker suggests that even
seemingly insignificant things can have
meaning or value in certain contexts.
In the first stanza of the poem, a discarded item is given to a female character. It is described
as a trifle, no longer to be worn, and having served its purpose. The personification of the
object highlights its significance, despite being disposable.
Page 4 of 11
