GRADE 11

ENGLISH HOME LANGUAGE

Task 7 Paper 2
Poetry and Literature
PAPER 2 - MEMO
MARCH 2020

MARKS: 80
TIME: 2 ½ hours
DATE: May/June 2024
EXAMINER: Miss N La Cock
MODERATOR: MRS. A Naidoo
Please illustrate
marks as follows 20 10 25 25 = 80
at the top of
learner’s script 80

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INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION:
Learners should read the instructions carefully before answering the
questions.

1. This question paper consists of TWO sections:

SECTION A: Poetry (30 marks)
SECTION B: Novel (50 marks)
2. Question 1 (Seen poem: Essay question)
Questions 2-4 (Seen poems: Contextual questions)
Choose any TWO questions.

Question 5 (Unseen poem: Contextual question)

COMPULSORY!

Question 6 (Novel: Essay question)

Question 7 (Novel: Contextual question)
Do BOTH question 6 & 7.

Learners will do FIVE questions in total.

3. Follow the instructions at the beginning of each section

carefully.
4. Number your answers correctly according to the numbering
system used in the question paper.
5. Start each section on a new page. (Not each question.)
6. Write neatly and legibly.

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SECTION A: POETRY
QUESTION 1: SEEN POEM: ESSAY
LONDON
In an essay of 200-250 words, critically discuss how the diction and the sonnet
structure support the speaker’s difference in attitude towards England and
Milton.
o It is an Petrarchan sonnet
o The sonnet is a structured style of poem used to give praise to people
and events.
o Wordsworth uses this familiar convention to pay tribute to the poet,
Milton, and to criticize the nation of England.
o Milton is praised as a savior, “England hath need of thee”, with the ability
to “raise us up” and deliver “manners, virtue, freedom, power”.
th
o Wordsworth lists the qualities that existed in England in the 17 century
when Milton was influential.
o The command and exclamation of the first word, “Milton!”, stresses the
urgency for intervention and the change that is necessary in
Wordsworth’s era.
o The octave outlines the predicament that England is in “at this hour”.
o In the octave he speaks about the problems that London is facing and
the sestet bring the solution.
o Wordsworth uses this familiar convention to pay tribute to the poet,
Milton, and to criticize the nation of England.
o Wordsworth indicates that “England hath need” of a savior, Milton, as
England has lost its power and is “stagnant”.
o People are in need of a leader as they are now “selfish men”.
o There are three explanations in the octave, all introduced by colons (:),
and Wordsworth sighs “Oh!” in desperate need of moral change.
o The sestet portrays Milton as a “Star” and compares him lavishly
through similes to the “sea” and “naked heavens” with a “cheerful
godliness” and ability to bring about meaningful change.
o Diction: Student Must quote a word and explain its relevance to the text.
o The poet makes use of Shakespearian English for example “thou”, “thee”
, which was popular in Milton’s days and in 1802.
o “alter” refers to religion/church- London has turned on religion

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o “sword” refers to the military- has come to a stand still
o “pen” refers to literature / arts- has come to a stand still
o The above shows that England is facing a political and moral crisis.
o Milton is expected to answer the call to uplift the “common way” and
take on “lowliest duties” as he puts others before himself.
o England is facing a political and moral crisis and Wordsworth identifies a
return to traditional values and “godliness” as a way for people to be
“majestic” and “free” again.
o The sonnet structure and meaning highlights the need for the return of a
conventional hero in Milton.

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QUESTION 2: SEEN POEM: CONTEXTUAL
WE WEAR THE MASK
2.1 Quote two words from line 10 that clearly contradict one another. (1)
“smiles” and “cries” √ (must provide both words correctly)

2.2 Do you empathize with the speaker of the poem? What action would you
take if you found yourself living under similar circumstances? (2)
Answers will vary. Yes/ No + valid reason/ motivation.
Most people will probably empathise with the pain and acknowledge that it
would be difficult to show one’s feelings if it were dangerous to do so. √√

2.3 Identify the poem’s refrain and explain how it contributes to the theme
of ‘seeming’. Why is it repeated? (3)
“We wear the mask” √
Repeated to emphasise that people wear masks in order to hide their true
feelings. People seems to be happy but they are not. √√

2.4 What do you think is the end point of the ‘long mile’ the speaker
mentions in the third stanza? How does this mile reflect the ultimate goal
that each class strives to achieve? (2)
The end point is freedom from oppression. People want to be free and
unoppressed. √√ It emphasises that it is a journey that the speaker is on
change won’t happen within a day , one day they will reach freedom. √√

2.5 Discuss why the speaker uses a rhetorical question in the second stanza.
What is he really saying here? (2)
He asks rhetorically why the oppressed should show their pain. They state that
they should not give the oppressors the satisfaction of seeing them in pain.
They should hide their pain and pretend to smile by wearing masks. √√
[10]

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QUESTION 3: SEEN POEM: CONTEXTUAL
MID-TERM BREAK

3.1 Explain the effect of using parenthesis in line 5. (1)

Dashes are used for parenthesis (extra information). √ It adds to the image of
the crying father, and makes the reader realise that this was an uncommon
and disturbing sight for the speaker. √ The speaker is not use to his father
crying and does not understand what is happening. √
3.2 Discuss the meaning of the poem’s last line. (2)
The coffin is four feet long.
The little brother was four years old when he died. √√

3.3 Identify and comment on the simile in line 20. (2)

“He lay in the four foot box as in his cot” √
He looks as if he is asleep-peaceful. This adds to his innocence and the intense
sadness of his death. √

3.4 The reader only becomes aware of the theme of death at the end of the
poem. How does this approach make the theme more shocking or sad?
Provide a clue from the first four stanzas about this theme. (3)
The theme of death is clear from the second stanza when “funeral” is
mentioned. However, the identity is only made clear in the last stanza. The
shock is massive when we realise that the deceased is a four year old boy.
Somehow children’s deaths are always more difficult to handle. It is against the
natural order to bury your own child. √√√
The poem involves the poet recalling an event from his own childhood it
involves his family and the loss he had to deal with. The theme of death
encourages the reader to question the pointlessness of death.
The speaker is unaware of the death until the last stanza.

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3.5 Discuss how the boy seems uncomfortable in his role as the eldest child
and why he is embarrassed by people shaking his hand. Has he grown up in
some way as a result of the tragedy? (2)

The boy is expected to be in control, as the father clearly is not. As the eldest,
he would have to receive the family and take care of his mother. He had to
grow up really quickly in order to carry the responsibility. √√
The boy is unaware why the elders are treating him in a different manner. It is
unusual for elders to come up to a child and shake their hand it is usually the
responsibility of the younger person to go up to the elders. When he realises
why they shook his hand he becomes more mature and understanding of the
situation. √√
[10]

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QUESTION 4: SEEN POEM” CONTEXTUAL
WOMAN
4.1 How does poet describe the woman’s suffering in the poem? (2)
Rungano talks about a woman who is seen chained to her duties. √ She works
under a strict schedule. Alongside that, she has to work in the fields for a living.
√ On top of that, her drunken husband intensifies her suffering by his
indifference.

4.2 Explain the tone of the poem and discuss what effect this creates. (2)
The tone of this piece is complaining, sad, and hopeless. √ By using a
complaining tone, Rungano tries to pose a series of questions to patriarchal
society. √ It makes the speaker’s case more piercing and appealing to readers.

4.3 Discuss why the speaker’s heart tired? (2)

The speaker’s heart, the source for personal desires, is tired of the burden of
her duties. √ She has no time to think about herself. √ For this reason, her
heart is gradually weakened.

4.4 Explain what line 11: ”For you had been out drinking the pleasures of the
flesh” mean? (2)
This line hints at worldly pleasures such as drinking and having sex √.
The speaker’s husband keeps himself busy in entertainment while she works
throughout the day. √
4.5 What do the lines 30-36 say about the speakers’ mental state. (2)
The last few lines of the poem describe the cyclical nature of the woman’s
suffering. No matter how tired she was for the last night’s torture, she should
wake up the next morning and have to follow the same routine. She dejectedly
asks herself whether women are destined to serve men. √√

[10]

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QUESTION 5: UNSEEN POEM: CONTEXTUAL
Mercy
5.1 Explain how the use of the word “kill”(line 1) contradicts the initial
mood of the poem. (2)
Initial mood = compassionate / sympathetic / humane / merciful 
“kill” implies the ending of life in an inhumane / violent / merciless way. 
5.2 Refer to line 3:”peaceful weapons”.
Explain what these lines suggest about the speaker’s state of mind. (2)
The speaker understand the task must be completed - removal of the spider 
But uses the oxymoron “peaceful weapon” as his choice on how to handle the
situation in a fair / compassionate manner. 
5.3 Refer to lines 10-11: “ If I am ever caught in the wrong place at the
wrong time,”Discuss the significance of the repetition seen in these
lines in the context of the poem.
wrong” emphasises connotation of being in error 
However the speaker’s action / method in the removal of the spider is in no
way “wrong” 
The speaker indicated that he may be viewed as a spider by others who have a
different object in life when in reality he may just be as innocent as the spider.  (3)
5.4 The poem focuses on the speaker’s desire, if need be, to be shown
mercy.Do you agree with this statement? Justify your response by referring
to imagery and diction. (2)

This desire is seen by the diction “hope” and “greeted” 

The speaker’s description of how to show mercy as seen in stanza 2 forms the
basis of the reciprocal nature of mercy that he hopes for. 
He shows the realisation that mercy may be needed by others when we least
expect it “just being alive” / “not bothering anyone” 
[10]

TOTAL SECTION A: 30

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SECTION B: NOVEL: THINGS FALL APART
QUESTION 6: ESSAY

The first part of Things Fall Apart reveals the implications of problematic
father-son relationships.
Critically discuss this statement in a well-constructed essay of 350-400 words
(2-2 ½ pages). [25]

Learner may mention any of the relationships between fathers/ sons.

Eg. Okonkwo, Unoka, Nwoye, Ikemefuna
Give examples and discuss the validity.
Okonkwo is the complete opposite of Unoka.
He is ashamed of his father.
Unoka had no barn, lazy, could not feed his family, bad chi, no titles, no young
wives.
Tries to encourage Okokonkwo during the year of the terrible harvest.
Died of an abominable illness- left in evil forest. Dies owing a lot of debt.
Okonkwo has two barns, works hard, supports his family, good chi, three
wives, accepts no advice from his father.
Nowye is too much like Unoka, enjoys helping the women around the village,
listening to stories told by his mother. Does not like war and fighting.
Not a good relationship with Okonkwo, too soft- harsh method of trying to
make him a man. Alienating him instead.
Ikemefuna teaches Nowye a lot, has a positive influence on him- becomes
more acceptable to Okonkwo.
Ikemefuna calls him father. Okonkwo fails to protect him from his doom.

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QUESTION 7: CONTEXTUAL
PASSAGE A:
7.1 Discuss how Okonkwo brought honour to his village and how he became
a respected warrior.
(2)
Okonkwo is a man of solid personal achievements. He beat Amalinze the Cat in
a wrestling contest. He is fierce and severe. √√

7.2 What is the one fatal flaw which will cause Okonkwo to be a tragic hero?
(1)
His obsession with manliness/ fear of looking weak. √

7.3 In your opinion, how is the theme of fear revealed in Okonkwo’s

character?
(3)
He behaves very sternly, afraid to show tenderness, fears looking weak like his
father. He hates gentleness and does not tolerate weakness in his wives of
children. He beats them. He is aggressive, strong-willed and impatient. √√√

7.4 How did Ikemefuna come to live with Okonkwo? (2)

Someone from the village of Mbaino murdered the wife of an Umuofian man. √
They were expected to hand over a virgin and a young boy instead of going to
war. √

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 PASSAGE B:
7.5 How does Okonkwo feel about the Feast of the New Yam? Why? (2)
He does not enjoy the feast because he considers it a time of idleness. √√

7.6 .1Discuss the incident of the banana tree. (2)

With nothing to do, Okonkwo becomes angry and he finally comes up with an
excuse to beat his second wife. He decides to go hunting. Ekwefi mutters a remark
about him not being a good hunter. He shoots at her but misses. √√

7.6.2 What does Ekwefi’s reaction reveal about her character? (1)
Her spirit has not been broken. She does not fear Okonkwo.

7.7 Who is Chielo? (1)

Chielo is the priestess of Agbala, the Oracle of the Hills and the caves. √

7.8 Place this extract into context. (2)

Okonkwo was tasked by the elders of the clan with looking after the
sacrifice Ikemefuna, which he has done for a few years. 
Okonkwo has just had a hand in the killing of Ikemefuna. 
7.9 Account for Okonkwo’s state of mind at this stage of the novel. (2)
State of mind = troubled 
Not only had he killed a boy he had loved (loss of appetite), although he
hadn’t admitted this, but he had also disregarded the advice to stay away
from the killing (drinking palm-wine). 

7.10. Briefly discuss the reasons why Nwoye would be “afraid” (line 4) of his (2)
father.

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 His father was unpredictable – killed someone he clearly loved 
His father was also a very violent, short-tempered man who was not
himself after the killing. 
7.11 Refer to lines 8-9: “He felt like a drunken giant walking with the limbs of a
mosquito.”
In light of Okonkwo’s ideas about himself, discuss what is ironic about
these words?
(3)
Idea of self – he has always striven to be strong and to remove any
appearance of weakness from himself. 
He was seen as a giant / great man in the eyes of his contemporaries 
YET/BUT/HOWEVER we now see a drunken, weak and out of control man

7.12 Refer to lines 1-10. Do you think Okonkwo’s character deserves our
sympathy in this situation? Justify your answer.
(3)
YES – he seems to be truly sorry about what has happened 
He is paying for his involvement with his sleeplessness and loss of
appetite 
His own, rather timid son escapes him as soon as he can – so he seems
quite isolated 
NO – he had been given sound advice and had chosen to disregard it 
His desire for recognition had over-ridden his friend’s attempt to help him

He had brought unhappiness upon himself 
7.13 Refer to line 15: “She should have been a boy”
What is revealed about Okonkwo’s attitude to his daughter? (2)
He sees her physical qualities as strong and masculine 
Her robust character is better than Nwoye and he appreciates these traits
in her 
TOTAL SECTION B:50

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