Читать книгу English for Life Reader Grade 9 Home Language - Elaine Ridge - Страница 5

Pre-reading
1.	When would we use the word ‘serpent’ instead of ‘snake’? What does the word ‘serpent’ remind you of?
During reading
2.	The poet has made up the word “serpenting”. What do you think it means?
3.	This is a very different kind of serpent. We are given four reasons in the second stanza why the serpent had to sing. What are they?

The serpent

Theodore Roethke

There was a Serpent who had to sing.

There was. There was.

He simply gave up Serpenting.

Because. Because.

He didn’t like his Kind of Life;

He couldn’t find a proper Wife;

He was a Serpent with a soul;

He got no Pleasure down his Hole.

And so, of course, he had to Sing.

And Sing he did, like Anything!

The birds, they were, they were Astounded;

And Various Measures Propounded

To stop the Serpent’s Awful Racket:

They bought a Drum. He wouldn’t Whack it.

They sent, – you always send, – to Cuba

And got a Most Commodious Tuba;

They got a Horn, they got a Flute,

But Nothing would suit.

He said, ‘Look Birds’ all this is futile:

I do not like to Bang or Tootle.’

And then he cut loose with a Horrible Note

That practically split the Top of his Throat.

‘You see,’ he said with a Serpent’s Leer,

‘I’m serious about my Singing Career!’

And the Woods Resounded with many a Shriek

As the Birds flew off to the End of Next Week.

propounded – put forward an idea strongly

commodious – large

futile – no use

resounded – echoed

Post-reading
4.	Look at the many capital letters the poet has used. Why do you think he has done this?
5.	What kind of singing voice does the serpent seem to have? Explain.
6.	How does the speaker suggest that the birds are behaving rather pretentiously (taking themselves too seriously)?
7.	The serpent says he is serious about his “Singing Career”.
a)	What does he consider is the most important quality in a singer?
b)	Is he justified in talking about a career in singing?
8.	There are a number of elements that make this a humorous poem. One of these is the choice of expressions and words. Comment on the description of a tuba as “commodious” and the birds flying off to the “End of Next Week”.
9.	This poem was written by an American.
a)	Only one rhyme depends on American pronunciation. What is it?
b)	Is the poem funnier when read with an American accent?
10.	Work in groups of three to perform this poem. Decide which lines you are going to say together as a group and which will be done by individuals in the group. Consider the accent to use, the tone and emphases, and the places where you must pause to make sure that the audience enjoys the humour.