Key Quotes

• The title is metaphorical – the “death” symbolises the speaker’s loss of innocence as he grows up.
• The tone of the poem at the beginning is almost enthusiastic –the verbs “sweltered”, “festered” and “gargled” suggest the speaker is almost relishing the vile smells of the dam.
• Language such as "jampotfuls", "fattening dots" and "mammy frog" suggest childhood innocence.
• The tone changes on "Then one hot day" and the tone becomes more aware of the dangers "angry frogs".
• "Spawn would clutch it" shows the contrast with when he would collect the "jellied specks"- he has grown up and no longer wants to play the games of his childhood.