Death of a naturalist

• Tone change

  The word 'Then' suggests that the speaker in the poem changes his views
• Personification of the sun

  • Using the word 'punishing' suggests that summer is relentless and harsh
• Words 'slobber' and 'Jampotfuls'


  Suggests that the speaker in the poem is young
• Verbs 'wait' and 'watch'


  Suggests that the speaker is excited and impatient
• The speaker in the poem has learnt facts about the frogs
• Adjective 'angry' to describe the frogs


  Suggests that the speaker in the poem is aware of the dangers
• Noun 'king'


  Implies that the frogs now rule the flax-dam and that he is not wanted there
• Words such as 'invaded', 'cocked' and 'grenades'


  Suggest a war between the speaker in the poem and the frogs
• Verb 'clutch'


  Suggests that he is now afraid and scared of the frogs
• Seamus Heaney