2016 Bishop OL Poetry Question – Suggestions for writing

These are prompts to help you – please do not copy them word for word! Personal response is
very important in your writing so you must choose words/images/phrases that appeal to you.

1 (a) 1 (b) 1 (c)

A dirty place; covered in oil;
even the people are oily; a
comfortable homely scene with
old furniture, a plant and a dog;
the oil cans lined
up; a well-loved family home,
etc.
“oil-soaked, oil-permeated/ to a
disturbing, over-all/ black
translucency.” – vivid image,
repetition for effect, filth and
greasiness made clear, etc.
“on the wicker sofa/a dirty dog,
quite comfy.” – homeliness,
belonging, comfort, family,
alliteration, conversational
tone, etc.
“Somebody waters the plant,/
or oils it, maybe.” – humour,
homely, decoration, care and
attention to detail, etc.
Negative – she finds the filling
station dirty and disgusting,
almost a dangerous place; she
is horrified by the filth and
grease; the father’s ill-fitting
monkey suit; very male
dominated.
Positive – she appreciates the
homely qualities of the filling
station, the care with which the
plant and the dog and the place
are cared for; she appreciates
the love that she sees evident in
details like the taboret and the
lined up oil cans.

2 (ii) Points to consider for the letter:

*Remember you are writing as one of the sons from the filling station.*

The son may be angry at the way in which his home and family has been
portrayed (dirty, filthy, dangerous, unhygienic…); he may be annoyed at
the poet’s condescension (looking down on other people); he may be
delighted that the poet has chosen to write about his home and family
and may appreciate the affectionate tone that develops as the poem
progresses (“Somebody” who takes care of and pride in the filling station,
small touches like the doily, plant, Esso cans, sense of belonging), etc.

Don’t forget to use the correct layout for the letter.