Perfecting Poetry: Rosemary Dobson - Over the Hill

This video provides an in-depth analysis of Rosemary Dobson's poem 'Over the Hill', focusing on its themes, structure, and literary devices.

What is the main theme of Rosemary Dobson's poem 'Over the Hill'?

• The beauty of nature

• The inevitability of death

• Resilience in the face of life's challenges

• The importance of friendship

How is the poem 'Over the Hill' structured?

• As a series of haikus

• In free verse

• As a single 118-line stanza

• In rhyming couplets

What does the idiom 'over the hill' signify in the poem?

• Reaching the peak of one's life

• A climb up a mountain

• A journey through a forest

• A descent into madness

What does the workman's journey at dusk symbolize?

• The end of a workday

• The inevitability of death

• A search for meaning

• A new beginning

How does the poem use the motif of hills?

• To symbolize life's challenges

• To illustrate a sense of freedom

• To represent the beauty of nature

• To depict a physical journey

What does the workman's action of lighting his pipe represent?

• A moment of despair

• A carefree relaxation

• A sign of defeat

• A call to action

How does the poem portray the workman's attitude towards life's challenges?

• As fearful and anxious

• As optimistic and confident

• As aggressive and confrontational

• As indifferent and apathetic

What literary device is used when the workman is described as filling the sky?

• Hyperbole

• Alliteration

• Simile

• Personification

What does the workman's ability to 'move mountains' metaphorically suggest?

• His connection to nature

• His physical strength

• His potential for greatness

• His desire for change

What cultural aspect does the poem celebrate through the workman's character?

• British aristocratic values

• French romanticism

• American individualism

• Australian working class resilience