English Literature - Unit 2 - Horse Whisperer

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Horse Whisperer - What is the poem about?
The poem is about a horse whisperer who controls the behaviour of horses. The trade then became associated with evil witchcraft. The horse whisperer took revenge on the villagers and left the area but still misses the horses.
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Horse Whisperer - Form
The poem is written in irregular stanzas of free verse. It's a first person narrative and the narrator isn't specified as male or female. This suggests they are speaking for all horse whisperers.
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Horse Whisperer - Structure
The first two stanzas highlight how much the horse whisperer helps the horses. This makes the horse whisperer's alienation later in the poem even more shocking and sad.
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Horse Whisperer - Language of Witchcraft
Images of spells are used to describe the techniques used to tame horses. The horse whisperer uses the same methods to get revenge after the rejection.
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Horse Whisperer - Metaphors and similes
Implies that the horse whisperer is becoming horse-like and the horses have become humanised. This shows how closely the horse whisperer is able to connect with the animals.
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Horse Whisperer - Emotional Language
References to the narrator's feelings show how much the horses mean to him.
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Horse Whisperer - Feelings and attitudes
Love - The horse whisperer cares for the horses and wants to protect them. The narrator feels sad and wistful that their close relationship has been lost...Revenge - The narrator takes revenge on those who drove out the horse whisperers... and Pride
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Horse Whisperer - What kind of character do you think the horse whisperer is?
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Horse whisperer - Why do you think the villagers changed their minds about the horse whisperer?
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Horse whisperer - What do you think the poem suggests about religion?
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Horse Whisperer - Does the treatment of the horse whisperers by the villagers remind you of any other situations?
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Horse Whisperer - What is the effect behind "My secret was a spongy tissue"
Language of spells and witchcraft. Narrator seems secretive about their craft.
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Horse Whisperer - What is the effect of the repetition of "They shouted for me"
Repetition emphasises that the horse whisperer used to feel needed.
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Horse Whisperer - What is the effect of "I was the life-blood"
Metaphor shows horse whisperer was vital for the horses' existence.
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Horse Whisperer - What is the effect of "My gifts were the tools of revenge."
Horse whisperer is angry - uses talent for revenge instead of healing.
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Horse Whisperer - What is the effect of "Still I miss them."
Sadness that relationship with horses has been lost.
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Horse Whisperer - What can you compare this poem with?
Witchcraft imagery contrasts with religion...The horse whisperers are rejected because the villagers view their business as unholy. In "On a Portrait of a Deaf Man', the narrator's faith fails because he sees too much suffering in the world.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Horse Whisperer - Form

Back

The poem is written in irregular stanzas of free verse. It's a first person narrative and the narrator isn't specified as male or female. This suggests they are speaking for all horse whisperers.

Card 3

Front

Horse Whisperer - Structure

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Horse Whisperer - Language of Witchcraft

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Horse Whisperer - Metaphors and similes

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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