An essay comparing and contrasting the two poems: "Island Man" by Grace Nichols and "The Fringe of the Sea", by A.L. Hendriks. (UK English GCSE Coursework, KS 4)
Comparing and contrasting the two poems:
"Island Man" and "The Fringe of the Sea".
I recently read two poems, entitled "Island Man" and "The Fringe of the Sea". These two poems are similar in many ways, but also have conflicting ideas. They both have connections to the sea, through the content of the poems, but also through the authors. Grace Nichols is the author of "Island Man", and she was born in Ghana, and now living in Britain. A.L. Hendriks wrote "The Fringe of the Sea", and she was born in Jamaica, but also now lives in Britain.
The poem "Island Man" is about and for, "a Caribbean man in London who still wakes up to the sound of the sea". The First line is one word, "Morning". This emphasises the word "morning". It makes it seem important, which it is, because it is the main theme in this poem. When you hear the poem, you may also hear "Mourning". This gives the idea that it is sad, there seems to be sorrow in mornings. Most people don't like mornings, they suggest work, tiredness. This is like the Island Man, he doesn't seem to like morning because he has to wake up and leave his dreams of an island.
Then it says "and island man wakes up"; this introduces the Caribbean man. He has no name throughout the poem, which makes it more generalised, and so appeals to more people. For example, it would not be a very popular poem if it says "and Dave wakes up". The next lines "to the sound of blue surf // in his head" have a strong rhythm, a sort of beat. It suggests harmony, but the second line "in his head" suggests sudden discord. The alliteration of the 's' sounds changes so a "h". The "s" could also be suggesting the sound and regularity of the surf, or waves breaking.
On the next line this is an example of internal rhyming, between "breaking and wombing". "Wombing" suggest things like warmth, and loving. This makes you think that the island man thinks of the sea and his island as very important to him. He seems to long for them, as a child longs for a
"Island Man" and "The Fringe of the Sea".
I recently read two poems, entitled "Island Man" and "The Fringe of the Sea". These two poems are similar in many ways, but also have conflicting ideas. They both have connections to the sea, through the content of the poems, but also through the authors. Grace Nichols is the author of "Island Man", and she was born in Ghana, and now living in Britain. A.L. Hendriks wrote "The Fringe of the Sea", and she was born in Jamaica, but also now lives in Britain.
The poem "Island Man" is about and for, "a Caribbean man in London who still wakes up to the sound of the sea". The First line is one word, "Morning". This emphasises the word "morning". It makes it seem important, which it is, because it is the main theme in this poem. When you hear the poem, you may also hear "Mourning". This gives the idea that it is sad, there seems to be sorrow in mornings. Most people don't like mornings, they suggest work, tiredness. This is like the Island Man, he doesn't seem to like morning because he has to wake up and leave his dreams of an island.
Then it says "and island man wakes up"; this introduces the Caribbean man. He has no name throughout the poem, which makes it more generalised, and so appeals to more people. For example, it would not be a very popular poem if it says "and Dave wakes up". The next lines "to the sound of blue surf // in his head" have a strong rhythm, a sort of beat. It suggests harmony, but the second line "in his head" suggests sudden discord. The alliteration of the 's' sounds changes so a "h". The "s" could also be suggesting the sound and regularity of the surf, or waves breaking.
On the next line this is an example of internal rhyming, between "breaking and wombing". "Wombing" suggest things like warmth, and loving. This makes you think that the island man thinks of the sea and his island as very important to him. He seems to long for them, as a child longs for a