Claire's Notes
Online English tutorials
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Sarah Jackson (1977 - )
Sarah Jackson is an award-winning British poet and academic whose work explores themes of memory, identity, and transformation. Her debut collection Pelt (2012) won the Seamus Heaney Prize and was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award. Jackson often blends the everyday with the uncanny, using plain yet precise language to uncover moments of emotional and psychological intensity. She is also known for her interest in sound, rhythm, and the blurred boundaries between voice and text. Alongside her writing, Jackson teaches Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent University and has been recognised as a BBC/AHRC New Generation Thinker.
The Instant of My Death
Sarah Jackson’s "The Instant of My Death" is a subtle, unsettling poem that explores a fleeting yet transformative moment during a bus journey through the Spiti Valley in northern India. Blending the mundane with the profound, Jackson captures the disorientation of travel, emotional detachment, and the sudden jolt of perceived mortality. The poem unfolds in a liminal space — between earth and sky, life and death, presence and absence — and reminds us that even an instant of fear or clarity can alter us forever. With plain diction and restrained tone, Jackson turns a moment of shock into quiet epiphany.
Elizabeth Jennings (1926 - 2001)
Elizabeth Jennings (1926–2001) was a major 20th-century English poet known for her formal control, spiritual depth, and emotional honesty. A member of "The Movement," she preferred clarity and traditional verse over experimental styles. Her Catholic faith shaped much of her work, which often explores love, suffering, mental illness, and spiritual struggle. Though her style was sometimes dismissed as old-fashioned, Jennings’ poetry is finely crafted and deeply human, resonating through its restraint and insight. She was also one of the few prominent female voices of her generation, and her best work, like The Enemies, explores both personal and political forms of conflict.
The Enemies
Elizabeth Jennings’ poem The Enemies explores the creeping, almost invisible rise of danger and oppression in a society. Though no conflict is directly described, Jennings uses the metaphor of enemies arriving during the night to evoke a sense of unease and helplessness. The poem likely alludes to the Cold War era, reflecting fears of political control, surveillance, and invasion—whether physical, psychological, or ideological. Its ambiguous setting and quiet tone make the threat feel universal and timeless. Jennings highlights how people often ignore warning signs until it is too late, leaving them trapped in fear and silence.
John Keats (1795 - 1821)
John Keats (1795-1821) was a prominent English Romantic poet known for his rich imagery and sensual style. Despite his brief life, dying of tuberculosis at the age of 25, he produced an impressive body of work that has had a lasting impact on English literature. Keats's poetry often explores themes of beauty, nature, love, and mortality, reflecting his deep appreciation for the world around him and his awareness of life's fleeting nature. His most famous works include "Ode to a Nightingale," "Ode on a Grecian Urn," and "To Autumn."
Bright Star
"Bright Star" by John Keats is a sonnet that expresses the poet's longing for the eternal and the immutable, symbolised by a bright star. Keats admires the star's steadfastness and constancy, wishing he could experience such permanence in his own life. However, he realises that unlike the star, he values the warmth and intimacy of human connection. The poem contrasts the eternal, unchanging nature of the star with the transient, yet deeply felt experiences of love and life. Themes in the poem include the desire for permanence, the tension between eternal and temporal existence, and the power of love.
To Autumn
"To Autumn" by John Keats is a richly descriptive ode celebrating the season of autumn. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each capturing different aspects of the season. The first stanza focuses on the abundance of the harvest, depicting the ripening fruits and blooming flowers. The second stanza personifies autumn as a figure of rest and labour, highlighting the peaceful yet industrious nature of the season. The final stanza reflects on the sounds and sights of autumn, emphasising its beauty and transience. Themes in the poem include the passage of time, the cycle of life and death, and the appreciation of nature's beauty.
La Belle Dame Sans Merci
"La Belle Dame Sans Merci" by John Keats is a ballad that tells the story of a knight who encounters a mysterious and enchanting lady. The knight recounts his encounter with the beautiful woman who seduces him with her beauty and charm. She takes him to her fairy cave, where he dreams of past victims of the lady who warn him of her deceitful nature. When he awakens, he finds himself alone on a cold hillside, abandoned and heartbroken. Themes in the poem include the dangers of idealised love, the supernatural, and the consequences of falling for deceptive appearances.​
Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936)
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was a distinguished British author and poet renowned for his contributions to English literature. Born in India, his works often reflect his experiences in the British Empire, blending vivid descriptions with profound themes. Kipling's poetry and prose explore themes such as imperialism, adventure, and the human condition. Notable for his mastery of storytelling, Kipling penned classics like "The Jungle Book," "Kim," and the poem "If—," which remains a celebrated piece of advice on personal integrity and resilience. His literary achievements earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907, making him one of the most influential writers of his time.
If
"If" by Rudyard Kipling is a didactic poem offering advice on how to navigate life's challenges and achieve personal integrity. The speaker, likely a father figure, outlines various virtues such as patience, resilience, humility, and self-confidence. The poem emphasises the importance of maintaining composure in adversity, treating triumph and disaster equally, and staying true to oneself amidst external pressures. Themes include maturity, moral fortitude, and the ideal qualities of a leader. The final reward for embodying these virtues is ultimate personal fulfilment and maturity, encapsulated in the line, "you'll be a Man, my son!"
Arun Kolatkar (1932 - 2004)
Arun Kolatkar (1932–2004) was a bilingual Indian poet who wrote in both Marathi and English. His work is known for its sharp wit, visual clarity, and understated irony. Often blending the sacred with the everyday, Kolatkar’s poetry explores themes of faith, disillusionment, and modernity with a distinctly unsentimental eye. His best-known English collection, Jejuri (1976), follows a sceptical traveller on a pilgrimage to a temple town, exposing the tensions between belief and reality. Influenced by modernism, street culture, and Indian traditions, Kolatkar’s voice remains quietly radical — a poet who invites us to question what we see and why.
The Bus
Arun Kolatkar’s The Bus is the opening poem in his acclaimed sequence Jejuri, which follows a sceptical traveller on a pilgrimage to a sacred site in Maharashtra. In this poem, a simple bus journey becomes a surreal, disorienting experience filled with discomfort, detachment, and unexpected imagery. Through sparse, precise language and unsettling sound patterns, Kolatkar strips away any romantic notion of spiritual awakening. Instead, he presents a world where meaning remains elusive and reflection is often fragmented. This poem sets the tone for a collection that is quietly ironic, visually striking, and deeply ambiguous in its treatment of faith.
Philip Larkin (1922 - 1985)
Philip Larkin (1922-1985) was a prominent British poet, renowned for his poignant and reflective verse. His work, characterised by its clarity, precision, and often sombre tone, explores themes such as mortality, love, and the mundane aspects of daily life. Larkin's poetry collections, including "The Whitsun Weddings" and "High Windows," showcase his ability to capture complex emotions and societal observations with striking simplicity. As a leading figure in post-war British literature, Larkin's influence extends beyond poetry, having also served as a respected librarian and critic. His work continues to be celebrated for its honesty, wit, and deep emotional resonance.
Afternoons
"Afternoons" by Philip Larkin reflects on the passage of time and the mundane routines of suburban life. The poem depicts young mothers in a park, overseeing their children, while their own lives seem to be slipping away. Larkin captures a sense of melancholy and resignation as the mothers' youthful dreams and desires fade into the background of domestic responsibilities. Themes of loss, the inevitability of change, and the sacrifices inherent in parenthood are prominent. The poem's imagery and tone convey a poignant observation of how life's simplicity and routine can quietly erode individual identity and aspirations.
D. H. Lawrence (1885 - 1930)
David Herbert Lawrence was a prolific English writer whose work spanned novels, essays, short stories, and poetry. While he is best known for novels such as Sons and Lovers and Women in Love, Lawrence’s poetry offers a deeply introspective and emotional exploration of themes such as nature, human relationships, and memory. His poetic style is characterized by vivid imagery, intense personal reflection, and an emotional rawness that reflects his broader modernist sensibilities. Lawrence’s poetry often delves into the complexities of human emotion, drawing from his own experiences of love, loss, and the natural world, and emphasizing the primacy of instinct and feeling.
Piano
"Piano" by D. H. Lawrence nostalgically recounts the speaker's childhood memories evoked by a woman's singing. The music transports him to a time when he sat under the piano, listening to his mother play and sing. The poem vividly portrays the warmth and security of these moments, highlighting the deep emotional connection to his past. As the speaker becomes overwhelmed by longing, he mourns the lost innocence and simplicity of his early years. Through rich imagery and reflective tone, Lawrence explores themes of memory, loss, and the powerful influence of music in rekindling emotions from one's youth.
Liz Lochhead (1947 - )
Liz Lochhead is a Scottish poet, playwright, and former makar (national poet of Scotland), known for her sharp wit and distinctive voice. Born in 1947, Lochhead’s work often explores themes of identity, relationships, and the dynamics of Scottish culture and language. Her poetry is marked by its accessibility, vivid imagery, and a mix of the personal with the political. Lochhead has been celebrated for her ability to blend colloquial language with deep emotional insight, making her work resonate with a wide audience. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and recognition for her contributions to contemporary poetry and drama.
Storyteller
In Liz Lochhead's poem 'Storyteller', the speaker reflects on the vital role of storytelling in rural life. Set in a modest kitchen, the poem centres on a woman whose task is to entertain others every night with tales while they perform physical work, such as grating corn and patching clothes. Through rich imagery and metaphor, Lochhead highlights the power of stories to connect generations, as the children absorb these narratives, allowing them to "fly again" in their dreams. The poem underscores the significance of oral tradition, portraying storytelling as a valuable, meaningful act that transcends the physical labour of the day.
Robert Lowell (1917 - 1977)
Robert Lowell (1917-1977) was an influential American poet known for his profound and intense verse. His work is marked by its exploration of personal and historical themes, often reflecting his own turbulent life and the broader societal issues of his time. Lowell's collections, such as "Life Studies" and "For the Union Dead," revolutionised modern poetry with their confessional style and emotional depth. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Lowell's contributions to literature extend beyond his poetry, as he was also an accomplished translator and playwright. His legacy endures through his powerful, introspective work, which continues to resonate with readers today.
Night Sweat
In Robert Lowell's poem "Night Sweat," the speaker contemplates his existence amidst the mundane setting of his work-table and scattered belongings. The poem delves into themes of mortality, existential angst, and the relentless pursuit of artistic expression. Lowell vividly describes the physical discomfort of night sweats as a metaphor for the inner turmoil and emotional intensity he experiences. He grapples with the weight of his vulnerability and fear and seeks solace in the presence of his wife, whose lightness and support offer moments of respite. Throughout, there's a poignant exploration of the fragility of life and the complexities of human emotions.