'Memory' by Chris van Wyk

Why do you think the poet chose the verb 'dangling' in line 1?

• The 'dan' in 'dangling' hints at the word 'dangerous' and serves as foreshadowing.

• Dangling means hanging or swinging loosely.

• 'Dangling' emphasises how small and helpless the child is - his legs don't reach the ground yet.

Comment on the effectiveness of the alliteration in the first stanza.

• There is a repetition of both 'f' and 'l'.

• The lightness of the 'f' and the lyrical 'l' create a gentle sound which is appropriate as the mother works with light flour and the boy flits around the kitchen in a lighthearted, carefree mood.

• The boy is very young and would still be learning how to speak. The 'fl' mimics the sounds a toddler makes when they are at this stage of development.

What type of work do you think the father does? Refer directly to the poem in your response.

• He owns a factory that makes cupboards - 'we're rich!'

• He works in a factory - he will be 'coming home soon'.

• His work is manually strenuous and not emotionally fulfilling - 'they're turning him into a cupboard that creaks'.

How is the speaker's childish naivety conveyed?

• He believes that because he is about to eat vetkoek that look like gold coins, the family is wealthy.

• He describes the oil as being able to 'swim'.

• Both of the above responses are correct.

A synonym for 'cauterises' in the context of this poem could be:

• burns

• ends

• both of the above