NATUREBY HUGH DOSTON CARBERRY

NATURE

Born : 12 July 1912 Montreal, Canada

Married to Dorothea in 1954

Father : Sir John Carberry (Chief Justice of Jamaica) Mother : Lady Georgia Carberry

Had two sons : Martin and John

And a daughter, Christine BIOGRAPHY OF POET Came to Jamaica in infancy & spent most of his life there

Died on 28 June 1989

SYNOPSIS (Overall)The poet writes about Jamaica, his country where there are no definite seasons in a year.

They only have days of bright sunshine that alternate with days of heavy rain

There are also days when the trees are bare and the leaves drop to the ground and the fields are bare after harvestThe poet treasures the days when the flowers are in full bloom, surrounded by buzzing bees and the air is fresh after a good downpour

THE MEANING (LINES 1-10)The poet telling us what he has in Jamaica: He does not have the regular four seasons Summer, Winter, Autumn or Spring. Instead they have days where the sun shines brightly on green and healthy canefields. There are also days when the rain falls down noisily like bullets beating on the rooftops

The only sound that can be heard is that of water gushing down the steep ralleys. There are times when the trees struggle against being uprooted by the strong Jamaican winds. There are days when the leaves fade and fall from the guango trees and the canefields that have been harvested lie empty in the sun.

THE MEANING (LINE 11-15)The poet now tells us that the days which he cherishes the most are when : The mango and the logwood trees are flowering. The low bushes are visited by buzzing bees bust collecting nectar The tall grass sways gently to the soft breeze. The buttercups cover the land like yellow stars. The freshness of nature`s beauty is seen after a bout of heavy rain

ELEMENTS1. THEMES A) THE NATURAL CYCLE OF NATURE B) MAN CYCLE OF LIFE 2. SETTING

3. TONE

4. MOOD + ATMOSPHERE

5. LANGUAGE + STYLES

o In nature, there is a time to grow and a time to harvest.

o There is also a time to rest and a time to die.o The four seasons are reflective of this natural cycle of growth, death and rejuvenations.

o In the poem there are no four seasons but the natural cycle still goes on. o Within a year there will be good times with plenty of sunshine, beautiful blooms of mango and logwood flowers, yellow buttercups paying the earth, lush green canefields and an abundant harvest.

o The air will be filled with the buzzing of bees and the scent of honey. o This is a time of growth and prosperity. o Then there will be days of heavy rain and strong winds that threaten to uproot trees, leaves that fade and wilt, falling back to the ground. o o The canefields will be bare and unproductive. This is the time of death. After the rain, nature will be rejuvenated and the whole cycle will repeat itself.

o o

Man too will go through good times and bad times in the cycle of life There will be constant changes and man must learn to adapt to the ups and downs. Man must be patient when faced with tribulations and show gratitude when blessed with wealth and prosperity.

o

2. SETTING

3. TONE

The tone is joyful as the poet expresses his delight at seeing at seeing the lush green canefields under the brilliance of the magnificent sun. He likes the scent of honey and is thrilled by the `beauty` which `comes suddenly` after the rain has gone.

This tone is also one acceptance as the poet accepts the constant changes in nature.

4. MOOD + ATMOSPHEREAppreciative and happy

Carefree and light-hearted

Sense of beauty

5. LANGUAGE AND STYLES

The poem consists of eighteen lines written in free verse of varying lengths.

The simple and informal style enables the reader to capturethe beauty and abundance of nature as well as sense its negative elements like the torrential rain and strong Jamaican winds.