Analysis of Jackie Kay's Poem "Lucozade" from the 2014 National 5 Critical Reading Paper
The poem "Lucozade" by Jackie Kay is explored through a series of questions from the 2014 National 5 Critical Reading Paper. The analysis delves into the themes of illness, nostalgia, and mother-daughter relationships portrayed in the poem. The poet skillfully uses language and imagery to evoke emotions and highlight the complexities of human experience.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Lucozade Lucozade 2014 National 5 Critical Reading paper
These are the questions on Lucozade from the 2014 National 5 paper: 1. Look at stanzas 1 and 2 (lines 1 8). Why does the poet s mother not want her to bring flowers or Lucozade? 2 2. Referring to lines 9 20, show how the poet gives the reader a clear impression of the mother s character or personality. 4 3. Explain how the poet uses language in lines 21 29 to indicate a clear change in the girl s feelings. 6 4. Identify at least one theme from this poem. Using close textual reference, show how the theme (or themes) is explored in this poem, and in at least one other poem by Jackie Kay. 8 So, how would you go about answering them?
My mum is on a high bed next to sad chrysanthemums. Don t bring flowers, they only wilt and die. I am scared my mum is going to die on the bed next to the sad chrysanthemums. 1. Look at stanzas 1 and 2 (lines 1 8). Why does the poet s mother not want her to bring flowers or Lucozade? 2 She nods off and her eyes go back in her head. Next to her bed is a bottle of Lucozade. Orange nostalgia, that s what it is, she says. Don t bring Lucozade, either, then fades. 2 points for 2 marks This reminds her of illness / death / being in hospital (1) Flowers wilt /die (1) Flowers don t make her happy / she thinks they are pointless (1) Ref to sad chrysanthemums (1) This brings thoughts of possibility of death (1) Lucozade reminds her of past (1)
The whole day was a blur, a swarm of eyes. Those doctors with their white lies. Did you think you could cheer me up with a Woman s Own? Don t bring magazines, too much about size. 2. Referring to lines 9 20, show how the poet gives the reader a clear impression of the mother s character or personality. My mum wakes up, groggy and low. What I want to know, she says, is this: where s the big brandy, the generous gin, the Bloody Mary, the biscuit tin, the chocolate gingers, the dirty big meringue? 4 Reference (1) Comment (1) x2 I am sixteen; I ve never tasted a Bloody Mary. Tell your father to bring a luxury, says she. Grapes have no imagination, they re just green. Tell him: stop the neighbours coming. Ref to doctors with their white lies (1) she doesn t trust doctors / like being in hospital (1) Ref to Don t bring magazines, too much about size (1) she doesn t like media images of women / approve of diets etc (1)
The whole day was a blur, a swarm of eyes. Those doctors with their white lies. Did you think you could cheer me up with a Woman s Own? Don t bring magazines, too much about size. 2. Referring to lines 9 20, show how the poet gives the reader a clear impression of the mother s character or personality. My mum wakes up, groggy and low. What I want to know, she says, is this: where s the big brandy, the generous gin, the Bloody Mary, the biscuit tin, the chocolate gingers, the dirty big meringue? 4 Reference (1) Comment (1) x2 I am sixteen; I ve never tasted a Bloody Mary. Tell your father to bring a luxury, says she. Grapes have no imagination, they re just green. Tell him: stop the neighbours coming. she is down / depressed (1) doesn t approve of diets / she is unconventional / not a stereotypical mother / likes to live for moment / has her own opinions etc (1) Ref. to groggy and low (1) Ref to any of Big brandy meringue (1)
The whole day was a blur, a swarm of eyes. Those doctors with their white lies. Did you think you could cheer me up with a Woman s Own? Don t bring magazines, too much about size. 2. Referring to lines 9 20, show how the poet gives the reader a clear impression of the mother s character or personality. My mum wakes up, groggy and low. What I want to know, she says, is this: where s the big brandy, the generous gin, the Bloody Mary, the biscuit tin, the chocolate gingers, the dirty big meringue? 4 Reference (1) Comment (1) x2 I am sixteen; I ve never tasted a Bloody Mary. Tell your father to bring a luxury, says she. Grapes have no imagination, they re just green. Tell him: stop the neighbours coming. Ref to luxury (1) she likes indulgence (1) she s not keen on conventions / healthy eating (1) Ref to grapes (1) she is bored / irritated by neighbours / small talk etc (1) Ref to stop the neighbours coming (1)
I clear her cupboard in Ward 10B, Stobhill Hospital. I leave, bags full, Lucozade, grapes, oranges, sad chrysanthemums under my arms, weighted down. I turn round, wave with her flowers. 3. Explain how the poet uses language in lines 21 29 to indicate a clear change in the girl s feelings. 6 My mother, on her high hospital bed, waves back. Her face is light and radiant, dandelion hours. Her sheets billow and whirl. She is beautiful. Next to her the empty table is divine. To be awarded full marks, candidates should identify through references and comments some change eg sadness to celebration, negative to positive. I carry the orange nostalgia home singing an old song. sad (chrysanthemums) (1) she is upset (1) Any 3 references plus acceptable comments for 6 marks. weighted (down) (1) she is burdened / full of negative thoughts (1) CHANGES TO To gain 6 marks, both sides of change must be dealt with.
I clear her cupboard in Ward 10B, Stobhill Hospital. I leave, bags full, Lucozade, grapes, oranges, sad chrysanthemums under my arms, weighted down. I turn round, wave with her flowers. 3. Explain how the poet uses language in lines 21 29 to indicate a clear change in the girl s feelings. 6 My mother, on her high hospital bed, waves back. Her face is light and radiant, dandelion hours. Her sheets billow and whirl. She is beautiful. Next to her the empty table is divine. To be awarded full marks, candidates should identify through references and comments some change eg sadness to celebration, negative to positive. I carry the orange nostalgia home singing an old song. girl sees that mother is raised up / not low (connotations of being elevated) (1) positive connotations /optimistic (1) high hospital bed (1) Any 3 references plus acceptable comments for 6 marks. light / radiant (1) To gain 6 marks, both sides of change must be dealt with. billow and whirl (1) full of life / energy (1)
I clear her cupboard in Ward 10B, Stobhill Hospital. I leave, bags full, Lucozade, grapes, oranges, sad chrysanthemums under my arms, weighted down. I turn round, wave with her flowers. 3. Explain how the poet uses language in lines 21 29 to indicate a clear change in the girl s feelings. 6 My mother, on her high hospital bed, waves back. Her face is light and radiant, dandelion hours. Her sheets billow and whirl. She is beautiful. Next to her the empty table is divine. To be awarded full marks, candidates should identify through references and comments some change eg sadness to celebration, negative to positive. I carry the orange nostalgia home singing an old song. beautiful (1) admiration, pleasure (1) Any 3 references plus acceptable comments for 6 marks. elevated etc (1) divine (1) (singing) an old song (1) good memories of the past (1) To gain 6 marks, both sides of change must be dealt with.
4. Identify at least one theme from this poem. Using close textual reference, show how the theme (or themes) is explored in this poem, and in at least one other poem by Jackie Kay. 8 Candidates should identify a theme or themes from the poetry of Kay, and be able to show how it is explored in this poem and in at least one other poem by Kay. Candidates are probably likely to identify one of the following themes: Illness / death, Family Relationships, Parent / Child relationships Possible references: Bed - themes of illness / infirmity / impending death AND/OR mother daughter relationships Gap Year Closeness of parent / child bond. Candidates may also make reference to the CONTRAST between the obvious bond between the mother and daughter in Lucozade with the very different exploration of the parent / child relationships considered in Divorce , Keeping Orchids and to a lesser extent also in Bed
4. Identify at least one theme from this poem. Using close textual reference, show how the theme (or themes) is explored in this poem, and in at least one other poem by Jackie Kay. 8 Candidates may choose to answer in bullet points in this final question, or write a number of linked statements. There is no requirement to write a mini essay . Up to 2 marks can be achieved for identifying elements of commonality as identified in the question. A further 2 marks can be achieved for reference to the extract given. 4 additional marks can be awarded for similar references to at least one other poem by the writer.
4. Identify at least one theme from this poem. Using close textual reference, show how the theme (or themes) is explored in this poem, and in at least one other poem by Jackie Kay. 8 In practice this means: Identification of commonality (2) (eg: theme, central relationship, importance of setting, use of imagery, development in characterisation, use of personal experience, use of narrative style, or any other key element...) from the extract: 1 x relevant reference to technique / idea / feature / text (1) 1 x appropriate comment (1) (maximum of 2 marks only for discussion of extract) from at least one other poem by the writer: as above (x 2) for up to 4 marks
