Eden rock

• "They are waiting for me somewhere beyond Eden Rock"
• "The sky whitens as if lit by three suns"
• "They beckon me from the other bank"
• "Crossing is not as hard as you might think"
• "I had not thought it would be like this"
• published in 1988 by Charles Causley
• When he was seven his father died from injuries sustained in World War One
• "Her hair, the colour of wheat, takes on light"
• "the milk straight from an old HP sauce bottle"
• Who is the poet of the poem "Eden Rock"?

  Charles Causley
• What is the main theme of the poem "Eden Rock"?

  Relationship between the poet and his parents
• When was Charles Causley born?

  1917
• When did Charles Causley die?

  2003
• Did Charles Causley ever marry?

  No, he never married
• How old was Charles when his father died?

  7 years old
• How long did Charles nurse his mother before she died?

  Six years
• What collection is "Eden Rock" part of?

  A Field of Vision
• In what year was the poem "Eden Rock" published?

  1988
• What is the significance of the ages mentioned in the poem?

  • Reflects the poet's memories of his parents
  • Highlights the passage of time
  • Connects to themes of nostalgia and loss
• What type of imagery is prevalent in the collection "A Field of Vision"?

  Biblical imagery
• What does the poet's father wear in the poem?

  Irish Tweed suit
• What is the name of the poet's dog?

  Jack
• How old is the dog Jack in the poem?

  2 years old
• What does the poet's mother do in the poem?

  Prepares a picnic
• What does the picnic cloth symbolize in the poem?

  Comfort and family bonding
• What does the phrase "the sky whitens as if lit by three suns" suggest?

  A surreal, idyllic atmosphere
• What does the father do while the mother prepares the picnic?

  Throws stones into the water
• What does the phrase "beckon to me from the other bank" imply?

  Longing for connection with parents
• What does the speaker reflect on regarding his parents?

  His loving and peaceful relationship
• How does "Eden Rock" compare to other poems about parent-child relationships?

  • Similarities: Themes of love and nostalgia
  • Differences: More positive tone than others
  • Unique imagery and structure enhance emotional depth
• How many syllables do most lines in the poem have?

  10 syllables
• What is the structure of the poem "Eden Rock"?

  Organized with quatrains
• What does the use of half rhyme in the poem suggest?

  Something is lacking in the relationship
• What do the final four lines of the poem signify?

  The gap between the speaker and his parents
• What does the term "Eden Rock" symbolize in the poem?

  A fictional paradise representing love
• How does the biblical imagery enhance the poem's meaning?

  It symbolizes perfection in relationships
• What does the description of the mother suggest about her character?

  She is nurturing and loving
• What does the use of monosyllabic language in the final line convey?

  Childlike simplicity and longing
• How does the poem reflect the poet's feelings about his parents?

  It shows deep love and nostalgia
• What are the key themes in "Eden Rock"?

  • Parent-child relationships
  • Nostalgia and memory
  • Love and longing
  • The passage of time