SHORT TEXTS: Analyse how the writer develops ideas or themes for a particular purpose
in two studied poems
What are the ideas / themes in the 2 texts?
The Od Place: people are forgetting their past / heritage / identity. The main theme of loss is also
portrayed
Friend: loss of innocence, childhood dreams due to age. There are no times for dreams when you
become an adult. The loss of friendship and relationships is also shown due to the increased
responsibilities i.e. work and family commitments
How does the writer develops these ideas / themes in each text? What is his purpose in
doing this?
The Old Place: he symbolises his past and heritage through “the old place” and how urbanisation
is too blame for this loss of houses and heritage / culture. This old place is taken over by nature
after its not cared for.
Friend: He uses symbolism and tone to develop the idea in the loss of innocence as gets older. He
compares a tree that symbolises friendship and innocence with a friend from his past. He then
states that when the tree aged and started dying so has the friendship will no longer exists.
State 3 main points to answer HOW the writer develops themes / ideas for a particular
purpose
In the Old Place the theme of loss is developed to show how people are forgetting their past. We
see this through the decay of the house and how it was once loved, cherished and well looked
after.
In Friend the theme of loss is developed to show how people are forgetting their friendships and
innocence of childhood bliss as they move into the drear dreamless time of adulthood. This shows
the enjoyment that you have as a child but lose once you become an adult therefore showing how
the friendship can be lost.
Give 2 examples (per point) where the themes / ideas have been shown and developed in
each text
The Old Place: “drunken fence posts” shows how its uncared for, was once uniformed and straight
(sober). This technique have been used to show nature taking over the house and therefore how
the people have forgotten their past by not caring for their home
Friend: “drear dreamless time” shows how adults now have no time to enjoy life and dream, their
spare time is taken up through work / family commitments.
Explain the significance of these examples – what is their purpose? How has this theme
been developed throughout the poem?
The Old Place:
Drunken fence posts – uncared for given up on and nature taking over
Curtsy – lost its dignity and respect, is letting nature take over
Straggly tea tree bush – no one cares for it. Shows how nature has taken over it and also
represents the loss of cultural heritage
Friend:
Splendid rags – significance of childhood, even rags were splendid when you’re a child, bliss – best
time of your life
Drear dreamless time – passing of time into adulthood – no time for dreaming / loss of childhood
innocence and passing of time and friendship – tree dying and friendship no longer
Now link back to the question – clearly explain how the theme / idea has been developed
and for what purpose in reference to your examples / explanations given to your right
The Old Place: loss – the house is being destroyed, shows the loss of cultural heritage and identity
that Hone Tuwhare wants to prevent, the effects of urbanisation and how it affects people, there
is no hope.
Friend: loss – dream dreamless time, loss of childhood innocence, Hone Tuwhare wants to cherish
it and get this friendship back; there is hope that the friendship could be rekindled.
How things are lost in both poems, Hone Tuwhare wants us to keep our cultural heritage and
innocence of childhood alive.
What societal links can relate to these two texts themes / ideas?
The Old Place – can be linked to the mass migration (urbainsation) of Maori from the country to
the city which occurred after WW2. It can also be linked to how many ethic grups are / have or
are currently losing their cultural identity and heritage.
Friend: As we get older stresses and responsibilities increase, as society demands more than ever
before.
What is the author’s purpose in these two texts? What is he trying to inform and teach
you? Why does he develop the theme / idea throughout each text?
The Old Place – the author is expressing his sadness at the loss of culture, how Maori have / are
forgetting their roots and culture as Maori have moved away from their rural towns into the city
for better job and money opportunities. The main message we learn is that you need to hold onto
your roots and remember your heritage and culture.
Friend: Tuwhare is expressing his sadness at the loss of childhood innocence and friendships. He
wants us to remember out childhood and hold onto our innocence – imaginations, dreams and
not to be overwhelmed and be taken over by the pressure of adult life and life in society.