Description of a penguin on an
unknown beach. This implies that oil
Penguin on the beach spills are a problem all over the world.
By Ruth Miller
The penguin is out of place and unfamiliar in
the very environment in which he is supposed
to feel safe/comfortable. (his relationship with
Gentle humour and affection
his environment is compromised)
1. Stranger in his own element, = a paradox
Casualty - been hurt or harmed and is a
2. Sea-casualty, the castaway manikin victim of events happening at sea.
Cast away - stands alone or pushed aside
3. Waddles in his tailored coat-tails. Oil Manikin - image of a little man
Tailored coat-tails = imagery of the penguin
The reason for the penguin being a victim
= oil.
Placement and enjambment.
The “deep commercial stain” was caused by
4. Has spread a deep commercial stain human commercial activities like the drilling
(Covered in fine, soft feathers) for oil which cause oil spillage in the oceans.
5. Over his downy shirt front. Sleazy, grey, The oil pollution has infiltrated the penguin’s
world and has spread over his feathers.
6. It clogs the sleekness. Far too well Poet criticizes how humans’ material needs
has a negative effect on the natural world.
Instead of the feathers being white in colour,
they are described by adjectives suggesting
pollution and sordidness. The oil has upset
the natural order of the penguin in his own
environment.
(Introductory function) The penguin is apprehensive about returning
7. He must recall the past, to be so cautious: to the sea as it has now been altered by
pollution.
8. Watch him step into the waves. He shudders Speaker involves the reader by giving us a
direct instruction.
9. Under the froth; slides, slips, on the wet sand, Where he used to glide into the water, he now
steps cautiously and slips on the wet sand,
“involuntary” implies that the movement is
(Scarcity or lack of something) (waves)
instinctive or automatic. Highlights traumatic
10. Escaping to dryness, dearth, in a white cascade, effect of the oil spill and how the penguin’s
reactions to the water is still influenced by the
11. An involuntary shouldering off of gleam.
memory.
12. Hands push him back into the sea. He stands The “hands” that push him back into the sea
again shows the human intervention.
Humans are interfering with the natural world
by trying to control it and by damaging it.
unknown beach. This implies that oil
Penguin on the beach spills are a problem all over the world.
By Ruth Miller
The penguin is out of place and unfamiliar in
the very environment in which he is supposed
to feel safe/comfortable. (his relationship with
Gentle humour and affection
his environment is compromised)
1. Stranger in his own element, = a paradox
Casualty - been hurt or harmed and is a
2. Sea-casualty, the castaway manikin victim of events happening at sea.
Cast away - stands alone or pushed aside
3. Waddles in his tailored coat-tails. Oil Manikin - image of a little man
Tailored coat-tails = imagery of the penguin
The reason for the penguin being a victim
= oil.
Placement and enjambment.
The “deep commercial stain” was caused by
4. Has spread a deep commercial stain human commercial activities like the drilling
(Covered in fine, soft feathers) for oil which cause oil spillage in the oceans.
5. Over his downy shirt front. Sleazy, grey, The oil pollution has infiltrated the penguin’s
world and has spread over his feathers.
6. It clogs the sleekness. Far too well Poet criticizes how humans’ material needs
has a negative effect on the natural world.
Instead of the feathers being white in colour,
they are described by adjectives suggesting
pollution and sordidness. The oil has upset
the natural order of the penguin in his own
environment.
(Introductory function) The penguin is apprehensive about returning
7. He must recall the past, to be so cautious: to the sea as it has now been altered by
pollution.
8. Watch him step into the waves. He shudders Speaker involves the reader by giving us a
direct instruction.
9. Under the froth; slides, slips, on the wet sand, Where he used to glide into the water, he now
steps cautiously and slips on the wet sand,
“involuntary” implies that the movement is
(Scarcity or lack of something) (waves)
instinctive or automatic. Highlights traumatic
10. Escaping to dryness, dearth, in a white cascade, effect of the oil spill and how the penguin’s
reactions to the water is still influenced by the
11. An involuntary shouldering off of gleam.
memory.
12. Hands push him back into the sea. He stands The “hands” that push him back into the sea
again shows the human intervention.
Humans are interfering with the natural world
by trying to control it and by damaging it.
