DOAN- explanations

• "Bluebottles wove a strong gauze of sound around the smell"

  • synaesthesia used to immerse reader & to reflect fact he remembered all at once
  • senses became overwhelmed by all his memories rushing back at once
  • sibilance represents sound of flies buzzing
• "frogspawn that grew like clotted water"

  • simile emphasises innocent view of nature
  • powerfully sensory image of the frogspawn
  • 'clotted' reminds reader of blood- negative simile foreshadows loss of purity
  • vivid comparison captures the unique texture and consistency of frogspawn
• "You could tell the weather by frogs too"

  • primary school teacher attempting to preserve their innocence
  • successfully distracts the children
  • tries to omit the reality
  • conveys how he wanted to share his interest with others
• "Then one hot day..."

  • volta
  • dark turning point is evident
  • innocent, childish view of nature has completely changed
  • found out reality and is truly traumatised and frightened by it
  • doesn't want this new experience
• "Some sat poised like mud grenades"

  • simile shows element of danger
  • 2nd stanza full of military references- threatening atmosphere
  • could be reference to military troubles in Ireland at time
  • narrators innocence lost
  • comparison to dangerous explosives reflects utter fear
• "I sickened, turned and ran"

  • short sentence could represent speed of his reaction
  • threat from frogs has reached a peak
  • reaction is involuntary and emphasises his repulsion
  • terrified and thinks frogs will take revenge on him for stealing frogspawn