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ppxrare
02-01-2010, 08:16 AM
So I have an exam coming up tomorrow and its my first exam where I have to write about poems.

The essay should be about comparing 2 poems , Hunting Snake and The Cockroach.

As I said before this is my first exam so I really dont understand how I should compare or even analyze the poems. Any help will be appreciated

PS: ( The teacher said its okay to get more opinions from people or the internet"

Hunting Snake

Sun-warmed in this late seasons grace
under the autumn’s gentlest sky
we walked on, and froze half-through a pace.
The great black snake went reeling by.

Head-down, tongue flickering on the trail
he quested through the parting grass;
sun glazed his curves of diamond scale,
and we lost breath to watch him pass.

What track he followed, what small food
fled living from his fierce intent,
we scarcely thought; still as we stood
our eyes went with him as he went.

Cold, dark and splendid he was gone
into the grass that hid his prey.
We took a deeper breath of day,
looked at each other, and went on.

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The Cockroach

I watched a giant cockroach start to pace,
Skirting a ball of dust that rode the floor.
At first he seemed quite satisfied to trace
A path between the wainscot and the door,
But soon he started to jog in crooked rings,
Circling the dusty table leg and back,
And flipping right over to scratch his wings-
As if the victim of a mild attack
Of restlessness that worsenes over time.
After a while, he climbed an open shelf
And stopped. He looked uncertain where to go.
Was thie due payment for some vicious crime
A former life had led to? I don't know,
Except i thought i recognised myself.

chrismythoi
02-01-2010, 08:23 AM
well both poems are about animals. ones which may be also not nice animals. how the poets use these animals in relation to the narrative voice should be the start of the analysis.
then ask questions such as what reactions do the people have to the animals, what do they represent, what rhythms and words are used. etc... also look at styles and what other things the poems remind you of.
also look over class notes.