Discussion+page

Do you need help getting to grips with 'Mending Wall'? Post any questions here. Some of you have been checking on what's expected. Try to remember these key ideas:
 * You should explain the meaning of the poem as you see it and comment on how the poet uses language to communicate this meaning
 * Explaining the effect of language techniques is more important than naming them - no points just for spotting a simile
 * Double space your work so I can comment on it
 * 3-5 pages is about the right length
 * Forget about the five paragraph format unless it fits what you want to say
 * Try and formulate a thesis and build your essay around proving it

Joel - I wrote "two oppostion in ideas" next to the line "Something there is that doesn't love a wall". I think we went over this in class, anybody rememer what it meant?

Ms K - Hi Joel, I don't know what your cryptic note means but I can tell you about this line. The important thing to note is the inversion from 'there is something...' which draws attention to the word 'something'. Is he talking about human nature/instinct? His own personal opinions? Nature? The opposing ideas run through the whole poem - for example the act of building the wall is collaborative but it divides the neighbours from each other when there is no real need to do so.