What Were They Like?

• What reinforces the idea that the subjects are all dead in the poem?


  The absence of sounds
• How does the poem contrast the pleasant image of happy people?


  With a disturbing reference to the horror of war
• What does the quote "Sir, laughter is bitter to the burned mouth" imply about the effects of war?


  It suggests that laughter is painful for those who have suffered
• What imagery is used to depict nature and new life in the poem?


  Opening of buds
• What does the line "but after the children were killed. There were no new buds" signify?


  It indicates the loss of new life and hope
• How does the metaphor of "When peaceful clouds... Father's told their son's old tales" contribute to the poem's theme?


  It highlights the contrast between peace and the violence of war
• What type of bombs were used by Americans in the Vietnam War?

  Napalm bombs
• What was the effect of napalm bombs on civilians?


  They caused horrific burns and suffering
• What type of bombing was used by Americans during the Vietnam War?

  Blanket bombing
• How did blanket bombing affect the targeted areas?


  It destroyed agriculture and cities
• Who wrote the poem discussed in the study material?

  Denise Levertov
• What are the three main themes of the poem?

  • War
  • Culture
  • Anger
• How does the quotation "When bombs smashed those mirrors/There was only time to scream" reflect the effects of war?


  It uses violent verbs to create a harsh image
• What are two quotations that show the destruction of culture in the poem?


  "It is not remembered" and "Who can say? It is silent now."
• How does the quote "Sir, laughter is bitter to the burned mouth" express the responder's anger?


  The plosive alliteration emphasizes repressed anger
• How does the language in the first stanza differ from the second stanza?


  The first stanza is straightforward, while the second is poetic
• What line in the poem shows uncertainty about culture?


  "It is not remembered"
• What do the quotes "Delight in blossom" and "their children were killed" illustrate?


  They show the drastic contrast of life before and after the war
• In what line of the poem is a caesura used for effect?


  "Ornament is for joy."
• What literary technique is used to show the before and after contrast of the country's culture?


  Metaphors of beautiful imagery
• What is the final phrase of the poem and why is it effective?


  "It is final now." It shows that the damage done is irreversible
• What is effective about the line "Did the people of Viet Nam/use lanterns of stone?"


  The magical imagery creates a sense of mystery and wonder
• What quote shows the effect of war on the mental well-being of the people of Vietnam?


  "Sir, their hearts turned to stone"
• Why are all of the questions in the poem written in past tense?


  To show that the culture no longer exists
• Where in the poem is syndetic listing used and why?


  "Did they use bone and ivory,/Jade and silver?" It shows how developed and beautiful their culture was
• What is effective about the rhetorical question "Who can say?"


  It shows that no one can prove the culture ever existed
• What four poems could you compare "What Were They Like" to?


  TDOS, Belfast Confetti, The Man He Killed, Exposure
• What year was the poem "What Were They Like" written?


  1967
• What war is the poem based upon?

  The Vietnam War
• What was America's aim when fighting in Vietnam?


  To defeat the spread of communism
• What was the context of the Vietnam War regarding North and South Vietnam?


  North Vietnam was communist, backed by America, while South Vietnam was anti-communist, backed by China
• What were the casualties and effects of the Vietnam War?


  Millions of casualties and lives lost, some due to chemical warfare
• What is the poet imagining in the poem?


  A future where the people of Vietnam have been destroyed and no record of their culture has survived
• What is the form of the poem?


  Free verse
• What is the effect of the poem's meter?


  There is none; the context is more important than a rhyme scheme
• How does the structure of the poem reflect the themes discussed?


  It shows separation in the country and highlights the lack of communication
• What is the effect of separating "Viet Nam" into two words?


  It shows lack of knowledge and loss of understanding
• What is the effect of the anaphora "Did they"?


  It creates a cold, dark tone with a lack of enthusiasm
• What time do the questions and lack of rhyme convey?

  They convey the despair of the people during the war
• What is the effect of the metaphor "their hearts turned to stone"?


  It creates a sense of innocence and pity for the suffering people