The Sun Used to Shine

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THE SUN USED TO SHINE - Revision Notes

Presence of War

1. At the beginning of the poem: War is insignificant and remote like the 'small flowers'

2. At the end of the poem: the small things are MULTIPLYING and getting bigger.

e.g. 'apple' turns to 'apples' etc.

Everything is being scaled up, means war can no longer be avoided or minimised.

(Although it is distant like the Crusades/ Caesar's battles)

LANGUAGE

- Subtle and sophisticated

- The world the speaker is in is realised strongly through the use of definite articles. e.g. 'the sun'/'the late past' / 'the moonlight' / 'the fallen apples'

SUMMARY OF POEM

Mainly about Thomas' memories of walking with Robert Frost and their growing friendship in summer 1914.

Also about the fading of memories over time, and how it is an unstoppable process.

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poem link: 'Rain'

Combination of similes used towards the end, convey a certain idea

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