Death of a Naturalist

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the title of the poem Death ofa 1. Due to the grossness of their appearance
Naturalist" signify? II. He believes the bullfrogs are gathered there to
a) O The death of the speaker pay him back for robbing their young.
b) DThe death of abotanist III. Because the frogs have invaded the flax-dam.
c) DThe death of the speaker's interest in nature IV. Because they change colours with the season.
d) O
The death of the frog a) D
Only (I) and (II)
b) DOnly (IIl)
2. "In the shade ofthe banks. Here, every c) DOnly(IV)
spring d) DOnly (II) and (IV)
Iwould fill jampotfuls of the jellied
Specks to range on window sills at home, 5. Which of the following words are employed
On shelves at school, and wait and watch" toportray the frogs as violent and
What quality of the speaker dothese lines threatening?
evoke? I. Invaded
I. Curiosity II. Cocked
II. Scientific temper III. Poised
III. Love for nature IV. Grenades
IV. Boredom a) O Only (1)
a) D Only(IV) b) DOnly (II) and (II)
b) DOnly (D), (II) and (III) c) DOnly (),(I) and (IV)
c) DOnly (II) d) DOnly (IV)
d) DOnly (III) and (IV)
6. How does the poem deal with the theme of
3. Which of the followinglines from the poem transformation?
portrays the change in the speaker's a) O By portraying howthe fascination and
attitude towards nature? curiosity of carly childhood gives way to fear
a) O"Frogspawn. You could tellthe weather by and disgust when of adolescence
frogs too b) OBy displaying the process of the
For they were yellow in the sun and brown development of the frogspawn into frogs
In rain. c) OBy indicating the change in seasons
b) O"There were dragonflies, spotted butterflies, d) ONone of the above
But best of all was the warm thick slobber"
c) O"1 would fill jampotfuls of the jellied 7. "Daily it sweltered in the punishing sun.
Specks to range on window sills at home," Bubbles gargled delicately, bluebottles
d) OThen one hot day when fields were rank Wove a strong gauze of sound around the
With cowdung in the grass the angry frogs smell, "
Invaded the flax-dam:" What does "bluebottles" refer to in these
lines?

4. Why is the speaker scared of the frogs? a) OAblue coloured bottle

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 Death of a Naturalist

fly 12. What is the setting of the poem?

DAspecies of parasitic torchlight a) DAforest
blue
DA battery-charged b) OA town
DApet'sname c) DAbeach
)
wassthe warm thick slobber d) DAiver
"But best of all clottedwater»
offrogspawn thatgrewlike lines? 13. What is the main subject
of the poem?
What does "clotted" refer to in these
a) O Flax
) OMade or
prepared by combining various b) OFrogs
ingredients thick lumps c) D Dragonflies
nThickened or coalesced in soft, state d) DButterflies
solid or semi-solid
c) OChangeto a coalesce,especially to form a "ax-dam" referred to in
the
) OTake shape or 14. What is the
satisfying whole poem?
made of flax
a) DA dam
slap and plop were obscenethreats. flax is grown
b) DApond where near a flax field
9. "The has been employed
in water
Which literary device c) DA body of field
DAstagnant poolin a flax
this line? d)
down by
a) OMetaphor
does the phraseweighted
b) O Onomatopoeia 15. What flax?
suggestabout the
huge sods"
c) D Imagery OIt is healthy.
d) OPersonification a)
DItisdead.
b)
of sound DItis abundant.
bluebottles/Wove a stronggauze c)
10. Ditis colourful.
around the smell. literary d)
option with the correct like when the
poet
Choose the another was the weather
portrayed in this line anddevice from 16. What
collected frogspawn?
device
this literary
suitableexample of O
Sunny
a)
the poem.
"Of frogspawn that grew like b) DCloudy
a) D Simile: c) ORainy
clotted water" of the
"I would fill jampotfuls d) OWindy
b) OHyperbole: the frogspawn?
jellied Specks" poet do with
jellied specks" banks" 17. What didthe
c) OMetaphor: "the
"In the shade of
the a) OAte it
a) DMetaphor:
b) O Collected it injars
nimble away
burst, into c) O Threw it
11. "The fattening dots d) OSold it
Swimming tadpoles. " the correct literary frogs and
the option with the poet about the
Choose these lines. 18. Who taught
device portraved in their eggs?
a) O Personification a) OMiss Walls
b) OHyperbole father
c) OMetaphor b) O His
OHisfriend
d) O Simile c)

183
Death ofa Naturalist

d) DHis teacher c) OThey were hungry.

d) OThey were full.
19. What does the phrase "fattening dots" refer
to?
26. What does thephrase their blunt heads
a) ODragonflies farting" suggest about the frogs?
b) O Butterflies a) DThcy were relcasing gas.
c) O Tadpoles b) OThey were communicating.
d) OFrogs c) OThey were in pain.
d) ONone of the above
20. What colour were the frogs in the sun?
a) OYellow 27. What does the phrase "slap and plop" refer
b) OBrown to?
c) DGreen a) O The sound of the frogs jumping into the
d) D Blue water
b) O The sound of the frogs croaking
21. What colour were the frogs in the rain? c) O The sound of the frogs mating
a) OYellow d) ONone of the above
b) O
Brown
c) DGreen 28. Why did the poet sicken" and run away?
d) DBlue a) O He was scared of the frogs.
b) OHe didn't like the smell.
22. Why did the frogs invade the flax-dam? c) OHe was feeling ill.
a) OTo lay eggs d) ONone of the above
b) DTo escape the heat
c) D To find food 29. What does the phrase *great slime kings"
d) ONone of the above suggest about the frogs?
a) OThey were powerful.
23. What is the tone of the poem? b) O
They were beautiful.
a) OHappy c) OThey were scary.
b) OSad d) OThey were sick.
c) DScary
d) DAngry 30. What does the poet mean by "ifl dipped
my hand the spawn would cluteh it"?
24. What does the phrase coarse croaking" a) OThe frogspawn was dangerous.
suggest about the frogs? b) OThe frogspawn was slimy.
a) 0They were happy. c) OThe tadpoles would attach to his hand.
b) OThey were angry. d) ONone of the above
c) DThey were in pain.
d) D They were scared. 31. What is the theme of the poem?
a) O The beauty of nature
25. What does the phrase *gross bellied frogs" b) O The fear of the unknown
suggest about the frogs? c) O The cycle of life and death
a) DThey were sick. d) OThe dangers of farming
b) OThey were happy.

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 Death of a Naturalist

isthe mood of the poem? c) OSimile

32. What d) OPersonification
a) O Cheerful
b) O Melancholic the line
DRomantic 35. What literary device is used in
c) "Poised like mud grenades, their blunt
d) DAngry heads farting"?
used in the line a) OAIliteration
is
33. What literary device b) O Mctaphor
"Bubbles gargled delicately"?
c) D
Simile
a) D Alliteration O
Personification
d)
b) OMetaphor
O
Simile attitude toward nature in
c) 36. What is the poet's
D
Personification the poem?
d)
a) OReverence
is used in the line
34. What literary device b) DFear
like sails"?
«Their loose neckspulsed c) ODisgust
a) DAlliteration above
d) ONone of the
b) O Metaphor

Logical Reasoning Questions

punishing sun because

The flax-damn
sweltered daily in the
1.

because
Fuls of jellied specks of frogspawn
Z. The poet filled jampot

by the colour of the frogs because

could be determined
3. The weather

flax-dam because
4. The angry frogs invadedthe

frogs because
5. with a bass chorus of croaking
The air was thick
Death ofa Naturalist

6. The great slime kings were gathered for vengeance because

7. The poet sickened and turned because

8. The spawn would clutch the poet's hand because

9. The townland was green and heavy headed because

10. Bubbles gargles and bluebottles wove a strong gauze of sound around the smell because

11. There was a warm thick slobber of frogspawn because

12. The poet would fill jam jars with frogspawn because

13. One can tell the weather by looking at the frogs because

14. The angry frogs invaded the swamp because

15. The poet came running there because

16. The poet felt disgusted because

 Death of a Naturalist

poet krnew that

these kings of slime were gathered there for revenge because
The
17.

Essay-type Questions

Short Essay-typeQuestions
and death in
as a representative of the cycle of life
portrayed
Describe how the frogspawn is of about 100-150 words.
1. paragraph
answer in a short
poem. Write your
this

answer in a
frogs? Write your
about
she teachthe students
does
and what
2. Who is Miss Walls
100-150words.
paragraph ofabout
Short

poem change in
the natural world inthe
nature and about 100-
attitudetowards poem in a short paragraph of
the
3. How does the Speaker's references from
suitable
the poem? Ilustrate with
150 words.
187
4. What do the frogs symbolise in the poem? Write your answer
in ashortparagraph of about
100-150 words.

5. "Right down the dam gross bellied frogs were cocked

On sods;"
How are the frogs characterised inthe poem? With reference to the line above from the poem,
write your answer in a short paragraph of about 100-150 words.

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 Death of a Naturalist

in a
Whatdoesthe poet mean when he says "Their blunt heads farting"? Write your answer
6
paragraphof.about 100-150 words.
short

your answer in a
the water? Write
happen if he dips his hand in
What does the poet fear will
1. words.
paragraph of about 100-150
short

narrative? Write vour

in the
how is it reflected
theme of the poem, and
O What is the central 100-150 words.
paragraph ofabout
answer in a short

your answer in a
cycle oflife and death? Write
theme of the
9. How does the poem explorethe words.
100-150
short paragraph of about
189
0. How does the speaker address the various ways in which the natural world is vulnerable?
Write your answer in a short paragraphof about 100-150 words, supporting your analysis with
at least two details from the poem.

Long Essay-type Questions

. What is the setting of the poem Death ofu Naturalist"? Write your answer in about 200-250
words.
 Death ofa Naturalist

Naturalist? is asuitabletitle to the poem.

Describe the various ways in which Death of a
in about 200-250 words with supporting details from the poem and
Justify your answer
sufficient reasoning.

atmosphere of the
significance in the poem? Deseribe the
is its
3. What is the flax-dam and what answer in about
200-250 words.
Write your
flax-dam during the spring.
Death ofa Naturalist

4. Describe the event which caused the poet tofeel sickened and run away from the lax-dam.
How does the flax-dam, previously an object of fascination, become one of disgust and fear?
Write your answer in about 200-25S0 words.

5. Does the poem explore the themes of

innocence and loss of innocenee? Justify your answer in
about 200-250 words with supporting details
from the poem.
 ANSWERS

reference that the ship can

point of 15. b) Itis dead.
a constant
safely through the waters. 16. a) Sunny
rely on to navigate constant source 17. b)Collected it in jars
Similarly, true love provides a
person, helping 18. a) Miss Walls
of guidance and support for a challenges and 19. c) Tadpoles
them navigate through the
difficulties of life. 20. a) Yellow
21. b) Brown
that love is a
The metaphor also suggests every 22. d)None of the above
universal force that is essential to 23. a) Happy
needs a star to
person's life. Just as every ship 24. b) They were angry.
guide ithome, every person needs love to guide 25. d) They were full.
them through life's challenges. The metaphor 26. a)They were releasing gas.
emphasises the importance of love in our lives, 27. a) The sound of the frogs jumping into the
suggesting that it is a powerful and necessary water
force that provides direction and stability in an 28. a) He was scared of the frogs.
ever-changing world. 29. a) They were powerful.
30. c) The tadpoles would attach to his hand.
POEM 4
31. c) The cycle of life and death
32. b) Melancholic
Death of a Naturalist 33.
34.
d) Personification
c) Simile
By Seamus Heaney 35. d) Personification
36. a) Reverence

Multiple Choice Questions

X
Logical Reasoning Questions
1. c) The death of the speaker's interest in nature
2. b) Only (I),(II) and (III) 1. it was situated in the heart of the townland.
3. d) "Then one hot day when fields were rank 2. he wanted to watch them grow into nimble
With cowdung in the grass the angry frogs tadpoles.
Invaded the flax-dam;" 3. they were yellow in the sun and
brown in rain.
4 a) Only ([) and (II) 4. the fields were rank with cow dung in the
5. c) Only (I), (I1) and (IV)
grass.
0. a) By portraying how the fascination and 5. they had gathered in the
flax-dam.
curiosity of carly childhood gives way to fear 6. the poet was collecting their spawn.
and disgust when of adolescence 7. he was overwhelmed and frightened by the
l. b) Aspecies of parasitic fly threatening behaviour of the trogs.
O. b) Thickened or coalesced in soft, thick lumps
9. b) Onomatopoeia 8. it was growing into tadpoles and becoming
more developed.
0 C) Metaphor; the jellied specks" 9. flax had rotten there.
11. a) Personification
12. b) A 10. it sweltered in the sun daily.
town ofthe banks.
13. b) Frogs 11. itgrew every spring in the shade
14. d) A
stagnant pool in a flax field
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Almnd Books
ANSWERS

12. he intended to leave them on the windowsills 2. Miss Walls is the teacher mentioned in the
at home and at school, waiting and watching poem 'Death of a Naturalist'. She is the
until they became quick, swimming tadpoles. speaker's teacher who teaches the students
13. they turn yellow in the sun and brown in the about the behaviour of frogs. Miss Walls tells
rain.
the students that the daddy frog is called a
14. the fields stank of cow dung in the grass. bullfrog and how he croaks, while the mammy
15. through the hedges, he heard a loud, raw frog lays hundreds of little eggs which grow
croaking that he hadn't heard before. into frogspawn. The teacher's knowledge and
16. of the sound their bodies made while slapping enthusiasm for nature inspire the speaker and
against the water. fuel his fascination with the natural world.
17. if he puts his hand into the water, the frog eggs
Miss Walls plays a significant role in the poem
wouldn't let him pull it out.
as she represents the importance of education
and learning. Her teachings about the behaviour
of frogs allow the speaker to understand the
Essay-typeQuestions natural world around him and to develop a
sense of wonder and curiosity. However, Miss
Walls' teachings are not enough to shield the
Short Essay-type Questions speaker from the darker side of nature, as the
invasion of the flax-dam by the grotesque frogs
1. In the poem 'Death of a Naturalist', the marks a turning point in his relationship with
frogspawn represents the cycle of life and the natural world.
death. The frogspawn is a metaphor for the
3. The speaker's attitude towards nature and the
potential for growth and transformation that
exists within nature. The jellied specks of natural world in the poem is complex and
nuanced. At the beginning of the poem, the
frogspawn, collected by the speaker in jamjars, speaker is depicted as being fascinated by the
eventually burst into nimble tadpoles that swim natural world, collecting trogspawn and
through the pond, growing and changing over observing the behaviour of the creatures that
time. The speaker is fascinated by this process,
inhabit the flax-dam. The speaker's enthusiasm
filling jars with the jellied specks and placing for nature is fuelled by his teacher, Miss Walls,
them on windowsills to watch the tadpoles who instils in him a sense of wonder and
grow.
curiosity about the world around him.
At the same time, the frogspawn also represents
However, the invasion of the tlaN-dam by the
the darker sideof nature, as the rotting flax and
angry and grotesque trogs marks a turning point
stagnant pond provide astark contrast to the in the speaker's relationship with nature. The
beauty and vitalityof the living creatures that
speaker is overwhelnied by disgust and fear.
inhabit it. The frogspawn is a reminder of the and his childhood innocence is shattered. The
fragility of life and the constant cycle of birth speaker's attitude towards nature becomes
and death that exists within the natural world.
The invasion of the flax-dam by the angry and more complex as a result, as he is torced to
contront the darker aspects of the natural world.
grotesque frogs marks a turning point in the
poem, as the speaker's innocence is shattered,
The poem therefore explores the tension
and he realises that the natural world is not between the beauty and vitality of nature and its
always pleasant and idyllic.
harsh and threatening aspects.
 ANSWERS

the poem Death of a Naturalist', the frogs on the environment. The image of the "gross
4. In
svmbolise the darker aspects of nature and the bellied frogs" could be a warning about the
innocence. The frogspawn represents dangers of pollution and the importance of
loss of transformation preserving the natural world.
the potential for growth and
within nature, but the arrival ofthe adult frogs
6. When the speaker says, "Their blunt heads
representsthe harsh and threatening aspects of farting", he is describing the sound that the
are described as frogs make as they sit on the banks of the flax
the natural world. The frogs
and their
"gross bellied and "obscene,discomfort and
dam. The word "farting" is a colloquial term for
croaking creates a sense of passing gas, and the use of this word suggests
unease in the speaker. that the sound the frogs make is similar to the
somewhat
by the frogs sound of flatulence. This is a
The invasion of the flax-dam comical image, and it adds a sense of
levity to
poem, as the
marks a tuming point in the
shattered and his the poem.
speaker's innocence is a more
nature becomes more However, the use of this phrase also has
relationship with heads are
frogs' blunt
the fragility of serious connotation. The
complex. The frogs symbolise birth and death emphasises
cycle of compared to mud grenades, which "farting" is
life and the constant The word
speaker's reaction their threatening nature.
within the natural world. The frogs are releasing
that the natural world also a reminder that the
to the frogs suggests
products into the water, which could be
understood or controlled, and waste
metaphor for the negative
cannot be easily beyond interpreted as a
it that are activity on the natural
world.
that there are aspects of impact of human
human comprehension. "blunt heads farting" thus has both
significant The phrase meaning.
bellied frogs" is humorous and a serious
5. The phrase "gross frogs in a way that makes the complex relationship
between
because it describes highlighting world.
threatening and intimidating. The humans and the natural
them seem in the
"gross" suggests that they are fears that ifhe dips his hand
use of the word bellied" emphasises 7. The
speaker
will clutch it.
This tear is
repulsive, and the word water, the
frogspawn previous
weight. By describing them in result of the speaker's
their size and emphasising their likely a trogspawn from the tlax
speaker is experience collecting jelled
this way, the over the flax-dam.
The
filled jampotfuls of the
dominance dam. He has spawn
power and
bellied frogs" cocked on and he knows that the
Image of the "gross like sails, specks in the past, touches. However,
in
necks pulsing anything it spawn
Sods, with their loose and aggression. The willstick to
speaker is atraid
that the
sUggests a sense of
menace this case, the that it will
frogs are not just stick to his hand, but
Pnrase also suggests
that the
result of the will not only and not let go. This tear
which could be a ofhim that is
large, but bloated, also grab hold of danger and threat
flax-dam. sense
Overabundance of food in the adds to the
bellied frogs" present in the
poem.
trogspawn
"gross trapped by the
Moreover, the phrase as a metaphor for the fear of interpreted as a metaphor for the
being
could also be interpreted the The
human activity on have could also be being trapped or contincd
by
Iegative effects of flax-dam represents a
The frogs in the rotting speaker's fear of lax -dam
natural world. loversized due to the surroundings. The environmentfor the
bloated and there by his comfortable
become likely
discarded
as familiar and arrival of the angry trogs
has
flax, which was couldtherefore be seen speaker, but the
humans. The phrase behaviour and its impact 259
a criticism of human
ANSWERS

disrupted this sense of safety. The fear of bcing source of life and a site of decay. The poem
caught by the frogspawn could be seen as a fear cmphasises the cyclical nature of life and death,
of being trapped in this disrupted environment suggesting that all living things are part of a
and unable to escape. In this way, the spcaker's larger natural order that is constantly in motion.
fear takes on a more symbolic significance,
highlighting the theme of change and Furthermore, the pocm suggests that the cycle
of life anddeath is not just a biological process
disruption in the poem. but also a metaphor for the human experience.
8. In Seamus Heaney's "Death of a Naturalist", The speaker's journey from innocence to
the central theme is the loss of innocence and
experience reflects the cycle of growth and
the disillusionment that accompanies growing decay that is part of the human condition. The
up and facing the harsh realities of the world. frog invasion can also be seen as a metaphor for
The poem vividly describes the natural world, the darker aspects of human nature, such as
exploring the speaker's curiosity and violence and revenge, which are also part of the
fascination with it, as well as his eventual fear natural cycle. In short, the poem explores the
and disgust when he encounters its darker side. theme of the cycle of life and death through its
The narrative traces the speaker's progression depiction of the natural world and its reflection
from a curious and innocent child who collects on the human condition, suggesting that all
frogspawn and marvels at the wonders of the living things are part of a larger cycle that is
natural world to a fearful and disgusted both beautiful and brutal.
adolescent who is repulsed by the sight of the
10. In "Death of a Naturalist", Seamus Heaney
"gross bellied frogs" and runs away in terror.
The poem effectively portrays the central suggests that the natural world is fragile and
vulnerable to human intervention. The
theme of the loss of innocence by contrasting
description of the flax-dam, which is weighted
idyllic descriptions of the flax-dam and
frogspawn with dark and disturbing images of down by huge sods" and "daily sweltered in the
the frog invasion. As the speaker's relationship punishing sun",suggests that the natural world
with the natural world changes, the theme of is subject to human exploitation and abuse. The
image of the "angry frogs" invading the flax
growing up is highlighted through the loss of dam can be seen as a metaphor for the
innocence and wonder of childhood. Finally,
destructive impact of human activity on the
the poem suggests that the natural world can be
environment. The poem suggests that the
both beautiful and enchanting, as well as brutal delicate balance of the natural world is casily
and terrifying, leaving the speaker with a disrupted, and that human actions can have
greater understanding of the worldand its harsh unforeseen and potentially disastrous
realities.
consequences.
9. The theme of the cycle of life and death is
central to Seamus Heaney's "Death of a
Moreover, the poem suggests that the fragility
of the natural world is not just a physical
Naturalist". The poem depicts the natural world vulnerability but also a cultural and
as a place of constant transformation and
psychological one. The speaker's fascination
renewal, where life and death are inextricably with the natural world is rooted in a cultural
intertwined. This theme is reflected in the
tradition that values the beauty and wonder of
imagery of the frogspawn, which grows into nature. However, this tradition is threatened by
tadpoles and then into adult frogs, as well as in
the description of the flax-dam, which is both a
the speaker's growing awareness of the darker
aspects of nature, which challenge his

260 ISC Prism &Rhapsody Workbook

 ANSWERS

sense of the spcaker's loss of innocence and his

assumptions and undermine his
fragility of realisation that the natural world is not always
wonder. The poem suggests that the pleasant and idyllic. The speaker starts off as a
material
the natural world is not just a curious and enthusiastic observer of
nature,
vulnerability but also cultural and
relationship collecting frogspawn and learning about the
psychological one, and that our behaviour of frogs from his teacher.
However,
complex
with the naturalworld is shaped by a the invasion of the flax-dam by the angry
and
and
interplay of cultural, psychological, grotesque frogs marks a turning
point in his
environmental factors. speaker is
relationship with nature. The
and his
overwhelmed by disgust and fear,
childhood innocence is shattered.
Long Essay-type Questions metaphor for the
The title can also be seen as a
in Ireland, which
decline oftraditional rural life flax
Naturalist' poetry. The
1. The setting of the
poem Death ofa Heaney often explores in his way oflife that is
Ireland. The speaker dam and the frogs
represent a
is arural townland in modernisation and
pond where flax
describes the flax-dam, a small environment
as
disappearing, speaker's
creating an industrialisation take over. The
has been left to rot, the
a reflection of
The speaker spends time fascination with nature is
that is rich with life. natural connected way oflife that is
observing the simpler and more
there during the spring,
collecting frogspawn, and being lost.
world around him, interpreted as a
his teacher. Furthermore, the title can be
learning about frogs from poet in moden
the poem is significant because
it commentary on the role ofthe
The setting of in other poets, sees
that is disappearing society. Heaney, like many
represents a way of life
speaker's fascination with sorts, observing and
himself as a naturalist of
modern Ireland. Theconnection him. However, the
to the rural describing the world around becoming
nature and his modern that this role is
contrasted with the title suggests
environment is society moves further
encroaching on this way of
life. incrcasingly obsolete, as more tocused
world that is angry and away from nature and
becomes
flax-dam by the
The invasion of the metaphor for progress.
frogs can be seen as a on technology and
grotesque from flax has
threats to traditional rural life
The flax-dam is asmall pond where
3. being
the
modernisation and industrialisation. pond is described as
been left to rot. The
heavy-headed" with the rotting flax
the poem creates a "green and
Furthermore, the setting of important to the sods. The stagnant
that is weighed down by large
specific atmosphere sweltering heat, the including dragonflies,
meaning. The water is rich with life, frogspawn.
poem's
and the odour
of decay butterflies, and most importantly,
buzzing of insects, discomfort and unease,
in the poem because
create a sense of eventual disgust The flax-dam is significant world
foreshadowing the speaker's microcosm of the natural
Heaney to it represents a pond is a
setting also allows and the cycle of life and
death. The
and fear. The innocence, loss, and
the
learning for the
explore themes of humans and the natural source of fascination and
trogspawn and
relationship between speaker, who collects the
grow and
world. observes the tadpoles as they
Naturalist' is significant
in
transfornm. However, the lax-dam is also a
Death ofa the rotting
refers to
2. The title and foremost, it place of decay and putrefaction, with
multiple ways. First
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ANSWERS

flax and the stagnant water providing a stark The invasion of the frogs marks a turning point
contrast to the beauty and vitalityof the living in the poem, as the speaker's loss of innocence
creatures that inhabit it. The flax-dam's is complete. The speaker realises that the
significance is further emphasised by the natural world is not always safe and that there
speaker's reaction to the invasion of the frogs, are darker aspects to life that cannot be ignored.
which marks a turning point in his relationship The frogspawn, which had previously
with nature and his loss of innocence. represented the potential for growth and
During the spring, the at1mosphere of the flax transformation, is now seen in adifferent light,
dam is described as sweltering, buzzing, and as the speaker is forced to confront the realities
of the natural world.
putrid. The rotting flax, weighed down by large
sods, creates a thick, stagnant pond that is 5. The poem 'Death of a Naturalist' explores the
surrounded by an overpowering smell. Bubbles theme of innocence and loss of innocence in a
delicately gargle on the surface of the water, number of ways. At the beginning of the poem,
while bluebottles weave a strong gauze of the speaker is depicted as being innocent and
sound around the smell. curious, collecting frogspawn and observing
the behaviour of the creatures that inhabit the
Despite the unpleasant odour, the flax-dam is a
source of fascination and wonder for the flax-dam. The speaker's fascination with nature
speaker. The pond is teeming with life, is fuelled by his teacher, Miss Walls, who
instils in him a sense of wonder and curiosity
including dragonflies, spotted butterflies, and
about the world around him.
most importantly, frogspawn. The atmosphere
is therefore one of contradictions, with the However, the invasion of the flax-dam by the
unpleasant odour and stagnant water providing angry and grotesque frogs marks a turning point
a backdrop for the beauty and vitality of the in the speaker's relationship with nature. The
living creatures that inhabit it. speaker is overwhelmed by disgust and fear.
4. The event that caused the speaker to feel and his childhood innocence is shattered. The
sickened and run away from the flax-dam was speaker's loss of innocence is emphasised by
the invasion of the frogs. The speaker had the final line of the poem, which suggests that
previously been fascinated by the frogspawn the speaker's connection to the natural world
and the transformation of the tadpoles, but the has been forever changed.
arrival of the adult frogs signalled a darker The poem can also be seen as a commentary on
aspect of nature. The frogs are described as the loss of innocence in modern society. The
"gross bellied" and "obscene", and the air is flax-dam and the frogs represent a way of lite
thick with a "bass chorus" of their croaking. that is disappearing, as modernisation and
The speaker is overwhelmed by disgust and industrialisation take over. The speaker's los
fear, turning and running away from the pon. of innocence is therefore not just a personal
The frogs can be seen as a metaphor for the experience, but a retlection of the changing
darker aspectsof nature and the fragility of life. world around him. Overall, the poem explores
The pond, which had previously been a source the theme of innocence and loss of innocence
of wonder and fascination, becomes a through its depiction of the natural world and
threatening and dangerous place. The frogs are the relationship between humans and nature.
areminder that the natural world is not always
pleasant and idyllic, and that beauty and
ugliness can exist side by side.

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