Perfecting Poetry: Rosemary Dobson - Canberra Morning

The video is part of the Perfecting Poetry series, focusing on Rosemary Dobson's poem 'Canberra Morning'. It explores the poem's themes of aging, perspective, and the beauty of mundane moments. The analysis covers the poem's structure, imagery, and use of language, highlighting Dobson's unique perspective and her ability to find depth in ordinary scenes. The video encourages viewers to adopt a reflective approach to life, appreciating the small details and developing their own perspectives.

What is the main theme of the poem 'Canberra Morning'?

• Looking at life from a unique perspective

• The struggle of urban life

• The complexity of human emotions

• The beauty of nature

What does the phrase 'looking slantwise' suggest in the poem?

• Viewing life from a unique angle

• Focusing on the past

• Avoiding responsibilities

• Ignoring the world around

How is the poem 'Canberra Morning' structured?

• It follows a strict rhyme scheme

• It is written in free verse

• It uses a sonnet form

• It is a haiku

What tone is created by the use of enjambment in the poem?

• Formal and rigid

• Mysterious and suspenseful

• Conversational and reflective

• Dramatic and intense

What literary device is used to describe the shadows in the first stanza?

• Hyperbole

• Zoomorphism

• Metaphor

• Personification

What effect does the alliteration in the first stanza have?

• It adds a musical quality

• It slows down the pace

• It creates a sense of urgency

• It speeds up the reading

In the second stanza, what is the bus stop scene compared to?

• A busy marketplace

• A bustling city

• A flock of starlings

• A quiet library

What does the bus driver have in his pocket in the third stanza?

• A map of Canberra

• A music player

• A book by Sartre

• A newspaper

What is the significance of the bus driver's dark glasses?

• They indicate his disinterest

• They symbolize his hidden thoughts

• They are a fashion statement

• They protect his eyes from the sun

How does Dobson view aging in the final stanza?

• As a decline in life

• As a time of regret

• As a period of isolation

• As an opportunity for new perspectives