Nil Nil
By Don Paterson
Themes and Ideas in Nil Nil
Copy each of the following into your jotter and underneath each, add
a relevant quote or quotes from the poem :
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The Nature of Being (Ontology)
Life & Death
Fate
Duality
Scottish / National Identity
Futility
Reality can only be imagined over time
Obscurity of the past / Forgetting the past
Success
Failure
Poverty
Unity
Luck
The Content of the Poem
This poem can be considered as three separate
‘stories’.
Using your own words, write a version of each,
using the following titles:
• The Inglorious Decline of a Football Club
• Two Little Boys Out at Lighting-Up Time
• The Unscheduled Exit of a Lone Fighter Pilot
Structure
This poem is framed by two pieces of prose:
• The introduction, attributed to fictional
philosopher Francois Aussemain.
• The conclusion – a direct address to the
reader from the poet.
In your own words, re-write each section.
What do these sections add to your
understanding of the poem?
Structure
Features of structure:
• Long, complex sentences
• Use of one continuous stanza
• Punctuation used to indicate:
– Lists
– Parenthesis
– Elaborations / explanations
How do any of the features of structure above
relate to the content / ideas of the poem?
Use of Imagery
• Write down all the examples of IMAGERY
(metaphors, similes or personification) you
can find in the poem.
• For each one explain what is being compared
and why. What ideas / impressions do the
images convey?
Effective Word Choices
• Note down any interesting / unusual /
particularly descriptive word choices used in
the poem.
• For each, list as many connotations as you
can.
• Consider why the poet has chosen to use that
particular word / expression rather than any
alternatives.
Use of Contrast
• The concept of duality is one of this poem’s
central concerns.
• The Concept of Duality refers to an opposition,
or dichotomy / contrast, between two entities.
For example:
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Day and Night
Left and Right
Positive and Negative
Life and Death
Male and Female
Up and Down
True and False
How many examples of duality / contrasting
ideas can you identify in the poem?