Structure/approach
1) Read the question
2) Read the text
3) Think about the poem
4) Read the question again
5) Read the title
6) Read the text again
7) Find features within the text and quote
7) Form an idea about the text with relation to the text
8) go

An Artist’s Childhood
Q: Discuss the way the writer reflects on his own development
A:

Back to the Wekaweka
Disscuss the way the writer explores change
Owen marshall explores change by reflecting upon how although the physical aspects can change feelings do not
One way this is done is by the structure of the poem when “nothing remained” at the end of the first stanza which draws our attention to the destruction of the farm and farmhouse which have a depressing feel which was further applied by the alliteration of “Failed farm” This is then greeted by “except the creek that gave him his bearing“. This shows that although the farmhouse which is his most detailed memory and is what he remembered the place as it reveals that the beauty in the things that we don’t notice beforehand. This is also amplified by the listen to the kiwis and the moreporks which are sounds that would’ve not been as appreciated as they are now when we are forced to look elsewhere to what exists now. This supports Destruction is a form of creation along with quotes such as “Reverend to nature” as although the farm has been destroyed it is now home to a forest which holds its own life and its own beauty. This mixed with the idea of memories show that although all the physical aspects of what we remembered will never last, its what we remembered that really matters and makes life good. This is amplified when talking about the father dies and when he is about to die he accepts this fact because change is the only constant. “forested darkness of life’s end
lying calmly in the knowledge of our love“


Structure “nothing remained” leaving this before the break at the end of a Stanza draws our attention “except the creek that gave him his bearing” after stating that somethings do not change
Failed farm alliteration as well as the broader idea
Moss encumbered rock
Reverted to nature
forested darkness of life’s end
lying calmly in the knowledge of our love these two lines show the acceptance of death

Memories survive
The events that happened and the memories that are made do not