PRE-READING


1. Discuss aspects of childhood that you miss/do not miss. 2. Why do you think so many poets return to their childhood in their poetry?


3. Think of big celebrations such as birthdays. Do you prefer celebrating such occasions now, or did you enjoy them more when you were a child?


COMPREHENDING AND RESPONDING 1. How does Kavanagh capture the voice of a child in stanza one in your opinion?


2. Do you think the speaker regrets leaving the place of his childhood? Refer to lines 


3. ‘One of the most refreshing aspects of Kavanagh is that he celebrates ordinary beauty in his poetry.’ Do you think this statement is true with regard to Part I of this poem?


4.  Kavanagh chose to do this?


5. How does Kavanagh convey how well his father played the melodi on? Refer to the poem in support of your answer.


6. What do you think ‘the music of milking’ means? Explain your answer. 7. Discuss the use of sound in lines 29–32.


8. Explain the lines ‘My child poet picked out the letters/ On the grey stone’ in your own words.


9. Do you like how Kavanagh includes the names of his neighbours in this poem (and others)? Why do you think he does this? You may refer to other Kavanagh poems alongside this one if you wish.


10. Did you like the closing stanza of this poem? Explain why/why not.


11. How would you describe the tone of Part I and the tone of Part II? You may choose the same word to describe the tone of both parts of the poem if you wish. Explain your choice(s) with reference to the poem.


12.  13. 


14. Compare and contrast ‘A Christmas Childhood’ with ‘Advent’ under the headings of theme, tone, speaker and imagery.


CREATING


1. Write a short story set at midnight on Christmas Eve. 2. Write a personal essay exploring some of your most vivid childhood memories.


3. Imagine you could interview Kavanagh about this poem and/or any other Kavanagh poems you have covered. Write the text of that interview, ensuring you have at  interesting questions. For example: ‘Why do you return to the past so often in your poetry?’)


LEAVING CERTIFICATE HIGHER LEVEL 277


Patrick Kavanagh


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