Summary and Exam Tips for 4. On Finding a Small Fly Crushed in a Book - Structure and other elements
- On Finding a Small Fly Crushed in a Book - Structure and other elements is a subtopic of Charles Tennyson Turner’s poem, which falls under the subject of English Literature in the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum.
This poem is a sonnet with a unique blend of Italian and English sonnet forms. It starts with an ABBA rhyme scheme, transitions to CDDC, and concludes with EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, though it occasionally breaks this rhythm for emphasis, such as using a trochee in line 5 to stress the word "Oh!". The speaker is reflective, contemplating mortality upon finding a fly crushed in a book, and muses on the fleeting nature of life and the beauty left behind. The setting is not explicitly detailed but evokes a universal theme of death, with a Victorian tone that suggests 19th-century England. The poem's exploration of mortality and the human condition is both sensitive and resigned, reflecting Turner's own experiences as a priest.
Exam Tips
- Understand the Sonnet Form: Familiarize yourself with the hybrid structure of Italian and English sonnets, focusing on the rhyme scheme and meter.
- Analyze the Speaker's Reflection: Consider how the speaker's thoughts on mortality and beauty are conveyed through the imagery of the crushed fly.
- Identify the Use of Meter: Pay attention to how Turner uses iambic pentameter and breaks it for effect, such as with the use of trochees.
- Contextualize the Setting: Reflect on the Victorian tone and how it influences the poem's themes of death and legacy.
- Explore Themes: Be prepared to discuss the universal themes of life, death, and the lasting impact of beauty.
