Post-Moderns

Literary Tradition

	Colloquial language, simple and direct (no "high" diction)
	Loss of strict rhythm and rhyme patterns, replaced by jazz rhythms and free verse
	Inclusion of sometimes shocking details
	Stream-of-consciousness technique
	Cynicism and Irony
	Classical allusions replaced with references to 1950s and 1960s but with subtle changes
	Supremacy and meaninglessness of pursuit of Individual pleasure

Social Context

· Rejection of old Roman values: Heroic War; Meaningful Faith & religion; Support of state & ruling classes

· Belief in equality of all (all genders, all races, all religions, …)

· Precise and complex writing, full of allusions

· Isolation of individual experience

· Highly personal perspectives and opinions

Historical Context

	Technological Age
	End of the Colonisation Era

"Love after Love" by Derek Walcott

In this poem the author examines how one goes about rediscovering one's self ("you will love again the stranger who was your self") after the end of a long, significant relationship. What the relationship was and how it ended doesn't seem to matter. He says that by studying our "notes", "letters", "photographs" and "image" to the extent that we "feast" on them, we will eventually begin to enjoy our own company again ("smile at the other's welcome".

Eating is a central image here. It is what one offers to guests when they arrive, and it is something that we will have to offer to ourselves once we are alone. The wine and bread suggest a celebration or simply food and drink given to welcome a guest.

Another central image is the mirror. A major stage of child development (according to Jacques Lacan) depends on the child discovering that the image he sees in a mirror is himself. Similarly, we rediscover our sense of self through the image in the mirror.

Of course, since this is a post-modern poem, there are much deeper cultural and psychological references which I won't go into here. We can discuss them individually if you want.

"In Mrs Tilscher's Class" by Carol Ann Duffy

A stunning poem which balances nostalgic self-analysis with rich imagery and sound.

The poet remembers her academic (geography, music, biology and English) lessons in Mrs Tilcher's Class, but at the same time is aware of how she is changing and maturing socially (in the playground) and physically.

She begins by describing the lessons and the room of a typical grade school class: rich in colour, sound, smell, taste and touch textures. One note-worthy image here is the window being opened, like her mind being opened to receive the light of education. Another is the reference to how the fear of Brady and Hindley fades in the safety of her protective classroom environment.

Pay attention to the changes in the images which silently outline her progress at school: the changeover from pencil to ink, new punctuation lessons in commas and exclamation marks, watching the life cycle of the frog.

Socially, she progresses from playing skittles and drinking milk at break to chatting to boys. Here she has to deal with a "rough" boy who wants to test her nerve by shocking her. She passes the test and treats him as he understands; however, his message allows the poet to discuss her physical maturation.

The final stanza is full of images of the energy and disruption of teenage life. Pay close attention to the repeated images of water (and hence life), the reports suggesting the end of a cycle, and the gate suggesting a new life.