Winter swans by Owen Sheers
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_d97va7
1. OVERALL - framed in tercets, to show they are not united as there
is an added burden on their relationship, yet ends in a
couplet to show they have removed this burden and are
now united
- free verse of rhyme and meter, can show the unpre-
dictable and flexible nature of relationships
- last couplet doesn't rhyme suggesting there might still be
some tension in their relationship
- enjmabment used to reflect the fluidity of the conversa-
tion that the couple are having and is used to make pace
seem more natural
2. Winter swans - winter may be more of an unusual metaphorical refernce,
because swans migrate and so it is strange that they'd be
present during the poem if it is winter
- theme of migration may link to theme movement within
a relationship so Sheers may just be trying to introduce
the theme in the title as well as suggesting the couples
relationship is a bit unorthodox
- swans are majestic animals
- whilst winter is never explicitly mentioned, only hinted at
through the dark imagery of the weather
- the swans are used as a ÿsymbol of enduring a timeless
loveÿ as swans ÿ"mate for lifeÿ"ÿ
- due to their white colour, swans are often used in liter-
ature as a symbol of light and purity and they are also a
ÿfeminine symbolÿ although in Greek mythology the swan
was linked to the Sun God Apollo
- in alchemy, the swan is seen toÿ symbolise melding of
oppositesÿ such as fire and water. With this understanding
of a swan's importance to the poem, it could be suggested
that the two individuals have very opposing personalities,
1/6
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_d97va7
1. OVERALL - framed in tercets, to show they are not united as there
is an added burden on their relationship, yet ends in a
couplet to show they have removed this burden and are
now united
- free verse of rhyme and meter, can show the unpre-
dictable and flexible nature of relationships
- last couplet doesn't rhyme suggesting there might still be
some tension in their relationship
- enjmabment used to reflect the fluidity of the conversa-
tion that the couple are having and is used to make pace
seem more natural
2. Winter swans - winter may be more of an unusual metaphorical refernce,
because swans migrate and so it is strange that they'd be
present during the poem if it is winter
- theme of migration may link to theme movement within
a relationship so Sheers may just be trying to introduce
the theme in the title as well as suggesting the couples
relationship is a bit unorthodox
- swans are majestic animals
- whilst winter is never explicitly mentioned, only hinted at
through the dark imagery of the weather
- the swans are used as a ÿsymbol of enduring a timeless
loveÿ as swans ÿ"mate for lifeÿ"ÿ
- due to their white colour, swans are often used in liter-
ature as a symbol of light and purity and they are also a
ÿfeminine symbolÿ although in Greek mythology the swan
was linked to the Sun God Apollo
- in alchemy, the swan is seen toÿ symbolise melding of
oppositesÿ such as fire and water. With this understanding
of a swan's importance to the poem, it could be suggested
that the two individuals have very opposing personalities,
1/6
