Ted Hughes:

Questions on 'View of a Pig'

Comment on the visual imagery of the first stanza.

What is the effect of this?

How does Hughes convey the "deadness' of the pig in the first two stanzas? (you should comment on things like the use of sentence structure, rhythm, imagery, choice of language).

Comment on the speaker's lack of reaction to the pig - i.e. that he feels no guilt or pity or amusement.

Comment on the reactions he does have.

How could these two kinds of response to the pig be related?

Comment on the imagery in "its life, din stronghold/Of earthly pleasure..."

What is the impact of the 7th and 8th stanzas?

Why does the speaker "stare at it a long time"?

Comment on the choice of words and images in the last stanza.What do you think the theme of this poem is?