Hawk Roosting

"I sit on top of the wood, my eyes closed."

The image here of the hawks physical position reflects its high status (if the hawk represents a politician, it could refer to dictatorship). But this position could also reflect its physical position on the food chain - keeps everything in order.

1 of 24

"...falsifying dream..."

This is a matter of fact. The hawk has no time for imagination or fantasy - it stays true to its physical nature.

2 of 24

"...dream...between...feet...sleep...creation..."

The repeated 'ee' sounds throughout reflect the sound of the hawk screeching. This reminds the speaker of its presense and therefore power.

3 of 24

"...hooked head and hooked feet:"

The repetition here gives very visual images of negative connotations. It reminds readers of the hawk's violent and brutal nature.

4 of 24

"...kills and eats."

The primary instincts of the hawk reflects the dictator's primary instincts.

5 of 24

"The convenience of the high trees!"

This could be open to alternative interpretation: a) Waiting for prey b) As if nature has been designed purely to suit the hawk - this could give images of God. The exclamation mark expresses the hawk's excitement - very sadistic.

6 of 24

"I...me...my..."

The personal pronouns throughout reflect the Hawk's egoistic nature.

7 of 24

"Are of advantage to me..."

This again gives the impression that the world was made for the hawk.

8 of 24

"...the earth's face upward for my inspection."

The earth is personified as a subservient person looking to the hawk for approval. This suggests that the earth is beneath the hawk and looks up to him.

9 of 24

"It took the whole of Creation..."

This shows that the hawk imagines itself to be the only important human being. It is almost like Hitler's final solution; the master race - story of creation.

10 of 24

"...Creation...Creation..."

The repetition expresses that the hawk is as if God = preaching religion. The Capital of Creation is like a capital 'G' for God.

11 of 24

"Now I hold creation in my foot."

This is as if the hawk is carrying the earth rather than being supported by it. The body part of 'foot' is a disrespectful part - shows the disrespect for earth. In this line the hawk becomes part of creation.

12 of 24

"...resolve it all slowly"

The hawk imagines it's making the earth turn.

13 of 24

"...it is all mine."

The hawk seems confident but possibly deluded.

14 of 24

"There is no sophistry in my body"

This shows that the hawk has no need to explain or justify its assumption of power

15 of 24

"No...nothing..."

The repetition of negatives is like a political speech.

16 of 24

"The allotment of death."

The hawk has the power to decide who dies and when - could link to Hitler or God.

17 of 24

"...my flight is direct through the bones of the living."

This is a violent image of the hawk swooping in on its preyv - link to 'The allotment of death.'

18 of 24

"No arguments assert my right:"

This shows again that the hawk doesn't need to justify himself.

19 of 24

"The sun is behind me."

This is open to alternative interpretation: a) Nature is on the hawk's side b) The sun is physically behind it when flying c) Sun is afraid of the hawk.

20 of 24

"Nothing has changed since I began."

This could link to the story of creation - the beginning of time.

21 of 24

"I am going to keep things like this."

This is a very powerful ending. The Hawk feels as though it has complete control and perhaps can see into the future.

22 of 24

Enjambment (Structure)

This could show that no interruptions are aloud or maybe it could reflect him flying - swooping down for prey.

23 of 24

The 'Hawk' overall

a) Hawkish - politicians who faced military actions b) Hawk-eyed

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Get Revising

Hawk Roosting

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Card 4

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Card 5

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Back

Card 3

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Card 4

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Back

Card 5

Front

Back

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