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(M4.1) READ - Set Poem 10 Guide Plaits V1a

The guide provides an analysis of the poem 'Plaits' by New Zealand poet Elizabeth Smither, highlighting her background and the themes of injustice and societal divisions reflected in the poem. It discusses the use of language, imagery, and techniques, such as metaphors and contrasts, that convey the child's realization of inequality. The poem's structure and tone are also examined, emphasizing its thoughtful nature and the deeper meanings behind seemingly simple observations.

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74 views2 pages

(M4.1) READ - Set Poem 10 Guide Plaits V1a

The guide provides an analysis of the poem 'Plaits' by New Zealand poet Elizabeth Smither, highlighting her background and the themes of injustice and societal divisions reflected in the poem. It discusses the use of language, imagery, and techniques, such as metaphors and contrasts, that convey the child's realization of inequality. The poem's structure and tone are also examined, emphasizing its thoughtful nature and the deeper meanings behind seemingly simple observations.

Uploaded by

mosdylan5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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IGCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE SET POEM 10 GUIDE: PLAITS

IGCSE English Literature Set Poem 10 Guide


PLAITS BY ELIZABETH SMITHER

Context/Background

• New Zealand Poet born in 1941 in New Plymouth.


• Her work as a librarian gave her an understanding of the importance of language.
• She has won many awards becoming New Zealand’s poet laureate in 2002.
• She writes poetry, novels, and short stories. Her first poetry collection was published in
1975.
• There is often a focus on simple everyday things and moments in her work.

Introduction/Summary

On the surface this is a simple poem from ostensibly a child’s perspective talking about her
plaits/braids. As the poem develops, we can read more into it. The difference between the plaits,
one thick one thin, can be interpreted as a comment on the divisions or injustices in society. The
simple development of the child’s realisation that society is not equal like their ribbon is well
presented. She could not ‘see justice’ but she knew instinctively that it was not always fair.

Themes

• Injustice: Smither grew up near Parihaka. In the 1970s and 80s the area was the scene of a
peaceful invasion. However, the village leaders were arrested and imprisoned unfairly and
the rest of the community expelled. According to the National Archives of New Zealand
“There was no bloody fighting. Instead, soldiers entering the village were greeted by singing
and women offering them fresh loaves of bread”. Link this back to The Enemies by Elizabeth
Jennings.

Language, Imagery and Techniques

Tone

• The tone is thoughtful to start with a harsh realisation at the end.


• There is a sense of empathy.

Language

• First person voice. Showing a personal experience and journey.


• The reference to ‘parting on one side’ could simply be interpreted as the parting created
when one plaits hair. However, the suggestion that there are two sides in society is
something worth noting.
• The snake metaphor ‘an anaconda plait’ and a simile ‘like a thin grass snake’ both suggest
something sinister.
• The sustained use of paired ideas is woven through the whole poem.

© 2023, Wolsey Hall Oxford. All rights reserved. 1


IGCSE ENGLISH LITERATURE SET POEM 10 GUIDE: PLAITS

Imagery

• There are opposing images of nature e.g. a harvest, a rich waterfall and a thin trickling river.
• The use of snake images is clever when one pictures a plait/braid.
• Consider the positive image of the ‘loops and bows’ of the ribbon contrasted with the other
negative ideas.

Techniques

• The poet has used a caesura in the first stanza after the word plaits.
• We also see personification. ‘They were companionably joined’ suggests a positive link.
• The poet then goes on to say ‘The weak and the strong were strong together,’ This literally
could mean that the thicker plait supported the thinner one but metaphorically it could be
seen as stronger and weaker people supporting each other.
• Enjambement is used throughout. Consider the long flowing idea of a plait.

Form/Structure

• Five three-line stanzas, free verse reflecting the thoughtful nature of the topic and the voice.
• Starts with I and ends with I

Example close textual commentary

This simple narrative poem leads us through the thought process of a child. She compares her plaits
to snakes using the image of ‘an anaconda’ a very strong snake that can crush the life out of its prey.
This seemingly simple comparison foreshadows the darker connotations of the poem.

The use of several contrasts such as ‘weak and the strong’, ‘wide and thin’ are representing the
varying groups in society. This is perceptive for a child but expressed simply.

Exam type questions for you to consider.

• How does the poet show the child’s developing realisation that the world is not fair?
• To what extent does the simplicity of the language and structure add to our understanding?

© 2023, Wolsey Hall Oxford. All rights reserved. 2

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