Children in the darkness – Task 2
There are children in the darkness
Who have not seen the light
There are children in the darkness
Who someone will teach to fight
Chalk and blackboards will not be
To this door there is no key
From this life they can not flee
And these children are not free
Could we simply light a candle
Could we give them half a chance
Could we teach them how to read
Could we teach them how to dance
Or will a war consume them
Their body and their soul
Will their life and blood be poured
Down some endless thirsty hole
Back into the darkness
From which there is no flight
Back into the darkness
Into which there shines no light
Point of view
Point:
The poem is written from the point of view of a person who is more fortunate than those living war conditions and takes pity on them. He is writing through his feelings because he wants his readers to understand what he is feeling and what they should do.
Evidence:
1. “And these children are not free”
- Lack of freedom
2. “Could we give them half a chance”
- They require our help
3. “Into which there shines no light”
- Their future is full of misery
Elaboration:
The misery in the lives of these children cannot be resolved by their own hands, and therefore require the intervention of our help throughout the world.
The poet is trying to spur support for the less fortunate by throwing his own feelings into this masterpiece. This way, readers can fully understand and empathise for a common cause.
Situation and Setting
Point:
The situation that the poem depicts is the state of children’s lives in war-affected countries.
Evidence:
1. “There are children in the darkness”
- Children living in bad conditions
2. “Who someone will teach to fight”
- Teach the children to survive in times of war
3. “Or will a war consume them”
- The children’s only aim is to survive
Elaboration:
The poem shows how helpless these children are in the battle against war. They do not have a bright future and no choice but to fight hard for their lives. In times of war, the living conditions are terrible and adults are left to no choice but to teach their children to fend for themselves. Even if they survive the war, it has a huge psychological impact on the children, which is irreversible.
Language/Diction
Point:
The poet used metaphors to describe the consequences of war.
Evidence:
1. “Darkness”
- Terrible living conditions with no hope and happiness
2. “Light”
- Glimmer of hope
3. “Endless thirsty hole”
- Sufferings of war
4. “Flight”
- Escape
Elaboration:
The usage of metaphors is commonly used by writers of prose to add ‘colour’ and ‘flavour’ to their writings. By using metaphors, it not only tells the reader what is being described, but also how it is described.
Personal Response
This poem is extremely meaningful and it is truly written from the heart of the poet, describing his feelings and thoughts towards this matter.
His purpose of writing this is poem is admirable – to raise awareness among those who are more fortunate to provide help and support for those who suffer in war.
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