Activity 2a- Read and Answer the Questions About the Given Poem
Questions
1. What scene is recreated for us by the language and 'flavour' of the opening stanza? Who is responsible of all these shouts?
The language and 'flavour' of the opening stanza creates the scene of an enthusiastic audience commenting as they observe the game.
2. In the second stanza we meet the football hero for the first time. As yet he remains unamed, being referred to only as he. What descriptive information are we given about him in this stanza?
The football hero is described as a 'flier with a crippled wing', which relates to his leg injury that stops him from playing at his best.
3. Identify the sport which is the focus of this poem. What evidence is there for your conclusion?
The sport that is the focus of this poem is most likely soccer. The second stanza describes the sport through the details of how the football hero's injury had affected the performance.
The fourth stanza tells the reader about the smells within the changing rooms during break. The poet also describes the players as they change soccer gear for the next half.
4. Comment on the effect achieved by starting the third stanza with "Gidday Kenny!" and finishing it with "Now, fellas..." How does the poet picture Kenny's situation?
The first phrase of dialogue used in the third stanza starts the picture of the teammates interacting with Kenny. As the stanza progresses, the reader learns that Kenny has a broken leg. Finally, the last phrase of dialogue ("Now fellas...") tells us that the team is discussing tactics to use in the soccer game after break.
5. What evidence is there in the poem to suggest that the scene occurs during the quarter, half-time or three-quarter break?
In the second stanza, the poet describes sirens going off and the audience rushing off to get some food, immediately after recreating the scene of the audience's ecstatic behaviour towards the game.
The second last stanza also includes a few words from the players, mainly about tactics to use in the game.
6.The sights, sounds and smells in the dressing room all bring back memories to Kenny. Identify some of these sights, sounds and smells.
The sights, sounds and smells Kenny encounter bring back memories of Kenny being part of the team. Some of these things that Kenny encounters are eucalyptus oil, sweat and mouthguards.
7. What memories do these trigger in Kenny?
These memories remind Kenny of the times and feelings he felt when he was able to play at his best and was accepted as part of the team.
8. Comment of 'Smoke wreathed and grinned its way around.'
This phrase is a personification of the smoke spreading around the room.
9. Why does Kenny leave the dressing room?
Kenny leaves the dressing room because he has realised that he couldn't be part of the team anymore due to his injury.
10. How does Kenny feel at the end of the poem?
Kenny feels rejected and sad knowing that he is no longer able to play free and proud with his teammates.
11. In your own words briefly state the theme of this poem.
The theme of this poem is about Kenny's last performance and his final feelings that caused him to leave the team.
