kingdomstuvia
FULL NAMES:
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: ENG1501
MODULE NAME: Foundations in English Literary Studies
ASSIGNMEMT: Assignment 1
YEAR MODULE 2025.
ENG1501
, ASSIGNMENT 01: Poetry
Due date: 23 April 2025
This assignment comprises TWO sections. Both sections are COMPULSORY
Section A: Reflective essay: Poetry (Unit 2)
Reflective Essay: Unit 2 (Poetry)
Section A: Reflective Essay
4 ESSAYS APPROACH FOR SECTION A
After working through Unit 2 on poetry, I developed a better appreciation for poetic techniques,
themes, and analysis. One poem that stood out during this journey was “Whales” by Kelwyn Sole,
which added depth to my understanding of how poets use imagery and symbolism to express
complex ideas.
I managed to complete most of the activities in my journal, which helped me grasp poetic devices
like metaphors, similes, and alliteration. These exercises were easier to handle because they were
more direct in their textual focus. For instance, identifying metaphors in a poem such as “Whales”
helped me understand how abstract themes can be conveyed through vivid imagery. On page 68
of the study guide, Sole writes, “The sea has laid them gently here,” which I interpreted as a
metaphor for death and memory. This line showed me how poetry can use natural elements to
express emotional depth.
However, some activities were more challenging, especially those that required analyzing tone
and mood. Poems like “Whales” also carried layered meanings that were difficult to unpack
without considering historical or symbolic context. The lack of structured guidance made it harder
to form clear interpretations.
What I found most difficult was dealing with abstract poems where the meaning was not
immediately clear. For example, in the study guide, poems like “Whales” required careful reading
and reflection. The subtle meanings in lines like “they lie like bruises on the sand” (Sole, p. 68)
made me realize that poetry often demands patience and emotional insight, which was not always
easy to develop quickly.
FULL NAMES:
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER:
MODULE CODE: ENG1501
MODULE NAME: Foundations in English Literary Studies
ASSIGNMEMT: Assignment 1
YEAR MODULE 2025.
ENG1501
, ASSIGNMENT 01: Poetry
Due date: 23 April 2025
This assignment comprises TWO sections. Both sections are COMPULSORY
Section A: Reflective essay: Poetry (Unit 2)
Reflective Essay: Unit 2 (Poetry)
Section A: Reflective Essay
4 ESSAYS APPROACH FOR SECTION A
After working through Unit 2 on poetry, I developed a better appreciation for poetic techniques,
themes, and analysis. One poem that stood out during this journey was “Whales” by Kelwyn Sole,
which added depth to my understanding of how poets use imagery and symbolism to express
complex ideas.
I managed to complete most of the activities in my journal, which helped me grasp poetic devices
like metaphors, similes, and alliteration. These exercises were easier to handle because they were
more direct in their textual focus. For instance, identifying metaphors in a poem such as “Whales”
helped me understand how abstract themes can be conveyed through vivid imagery. On page 68
of the study guide, Sole writes, “The sea has laid them gently here,” which I interpreted as a
metaphor for death and memory. This line showed me how poetry can use natural elements to
express emotional depth.
However, some activities were more challenging, especially those that required analyzing tone
and mood. Poems like “Whales” also carried layered meanings that were difficult to unpack
without considering historical or symbolic context. The lack of structured guidance made it harder
to form clear interpretations.
What I found most difficult was dealing with abstract poems where the meaning was not
immediately clear. For example, in the study guide, poems like “Whales” required careful reading
and reflection. The subtle meanings in lines like “they lie like bruises on the sand” (Sole, p. 68)
made me realize that poetry often demands patience and emotional insight, which was not always
easy to develop quickly.
