Peter Sheynecki
Migrant Hostel
1. What atmosphere is created in the first sentence- look especially at the verbs.
2. Explain the simile of the homing pigeon in verse 2 and how this defines the people in the migrant hostel
3. What are the “memories of hunger and hate”
These memories include a ‘hunger’ or desperation for peace and safety as well as physical hunger, from WW2 events (bombing of supply ships and train rails etc.) The hate refers to the enemy side in the war, as well as the events, the causes, the people who devastated your land
4. In verse 3 the image is of “birds of passage”- What effect does this have on our picture of the poet’s family?
The effect of this simile is…
The family is living in a kind of limbo- temporary lifestyle
They are involuntary (unwilling) travellers- they had no choice
The families have few belongings- like the birds, they have to travel light ( as their location could change quickly)
As Europeans, they can’t relate to the seasons of the southern hemisphere, which are opposite
The extended metaphor of the “birds of passage” ( and “homing pigeon”) is effectively used in helping develop the idea of dislocation and frustration among the migrants. Their life has become a limbo, as they have come involuntarily to the hostel, unlike birds of passage, who act instinctively. We also sense that the migrants have no possessions, and struggle to relate to the new seasons, opposite to their homeland’s, as they are “unaware of the season…(they) would follow. The idea of their life as a transient ( brief) existence is clearly expressed.
The image of “birds of passage” reminds us that the migrants:
Lack the ability to form connections or relationships ( also cultural divisions
Lack a sense of security possession
Lack a sense of responsibility( as they are not needed to make decisions)
Lack ability to make decisions, to work, buy and learn
5. Why does the poet personify the barrier at the gate?
The finger represents authority/government
1. What atmosphere is created in the first sentence- look especially at the verbs.
2. Explain the simile of the homing pigeon in verse 2 and how this defines the people in the migrant hostel
3. What are the “memories of hunger and hate”
These memories include a ‘hunger’ or desperation for peace and safety as well as physical hunger, from WW2 events (bombing of supply ships and train rails etc.) The hate refers to the enemy side in the war, as well as the events, the causes, the people who devastated your land
4. In verse 3 the image is of “birds of passage”- What effect does this have on our picture of the poet’s family?
The effect of this simile is…
The family is living in a kind of limbo- temporary lifestyle
They are involuntary (unwilling) travellers- they had no choice
The families have few belongings- like the birds, they have to travel light ( as their location could change quickly)
As Europeans, they can’t relate to the seasons of the southern hemisphere, which are opposite
The extended metaphor of the “birds of passage” ( and “homing pigeon”) is effectively used in helping develop the idea of dislocation and frustration among the migrants. Their life has become a limbo, as they have come involuntarily to the hostel, unlike birds of passage, who act instinctively. We also sense that the migrants have no possessions, and struggle to relate to the new seasons, opposite to their homeland’s, as they are “unaware of the season…(they) would follow. The idea of their life as a transient ( brief) existence is clearly expressed.
The image of “birds of passage” reminds us that the migrants:
Lack the ability to form connections or relationships ( also cultural divisions
Lack a sense of security possession
Lack a sense of responsibility( as they are not needed to make decisions)
Lack ability to make decisions, to work, buy and learn
5. Why does the poet personify the barrier at the gate?
The finger represents authority/government