Nettles (Vernon Scannell)

    OCR
    GCSE

    The poem narrates a domestic incident where the speaker's three-year-old son falls into a bed of nettles and is stung. The father comforts the weeping child and subsequently enacts revenge on the plants, slashing them down with a billhook and burning the remains. Despite this violent act of protection, the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of the nettles' return within two weeks. The poem serves as a poignant extended metaphor for the futility of parental protection against the inevitable pain of life. It juxtaposes domestic tenderness with violent military imagery, reflecting the speaker's own background as a soldier.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • AO1: Conceptualize the 'nettles' as an extended metaphor for the inevitable pains of life or war that parents cannot prevent
    • AO2: Analyse the military semantic field ('regiment', 'recruits', 'parade') transforming nature into an organized enemy force
    • AO2: Explore the juxtaposition of the 'tender' blister and the violent 'slashing' to highlight the disproportionate parental rage
    • AO1: Sustain a comparative argument regarding the presentation of conflict, linking the cyclical ending of 'Nettles' to the resolution of the chosen paired text

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have identified the military imagery; now compare its effect with the imagery in your chosen second poem"
    • "Avoid discussing Scannell's biography; focus entirely on the text and comparison to maximize marks"
    • "Your comparison is valid, but ensure you analyze the structure (rhyme/rhythm) as well as the language"
    • "Evaluate the final two lines—how does the 'recruitment' of the nettles challenge the speaker's perceived victory?"

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • AO1: Conceptualize the 'nettles' as an extended metaphor for the inevitable pains of life or war that parents cannot prevent
    • AO2: Analyse the military semantic field ('regiment', 'recruits', 'parade') transforming nature into an organized enemy force
    • AO2: Explore the juxtaposition of the 'tender' blister and the violent 'slashing' to highlight the disproportionate parental rage
    • AO1: Sustain a comparative argument regarding the presentation of conflict, linking the cyclical ending of 'Nettles' to the resolution of the chosen paired text

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Select your comparative poem immediately; 'The Manhunt' works well for physical/mental pain, 'A Poison Tree' for anger/nature
    • 💡Do not write a separate paragraph on context; it will receive no credit in OCR Section A
    • 💡Focus on the 'method' (AO2) used to present the theme (e.g., the single stanza structure reflecting a single event)
    • 💡Ensure every paragraph contains a connective phrase ('Similarly', 'In contrast') to drive the AO1 comparison mark

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Wasting exam time on Scannell's biography or WWII context (AO3 is weighted at 0% for this specific section)
    • Analyzing 'Nettles' in isolation rather than maintaining a sustained comparison with the second poem
    • Identifying the personification of the nettles without explaining how it validates the father's aggression
    • Misinterpreting the ending as a victory, missing the cynical realization that the 'tall recruits' have returned

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