I denne study guide kan du få hjælp til at analysere novellen "Waiting for Spring" af Tamara Jones, som har været brugt til skriftlig eksamen i Engelsk B på HF den 4. december 2018. Udover analysehjælpen kan du finde et summary af teksten, samt idéer til fortolkning, diskussion og perspektivering.
Eksamensspørgsmål
1. Write a summary of “Waiting for Spring” in about 150 words.
2. Write a short analytical essay (at least 300 words) about “Waiting for Spring”. You must focus on the main character William.
Include the following analytical terms in your essay:
setting, relationship, symbol, main theme
3. Taking your starting point in the short story, discuss what should be done in our society to fight homelessness.
Use at least two phrases from the following in your discussion: though, whether, on the contrary, then, however, primarily, nonetheless, finally
In your essay you must include references to the text.
Præsentation af teksten
Titel: “Waiting for Spring” (2015)
Forfatter: Tamara Jones
Genre: Short story
Tamara Jones er en britisk forfatter. Hendes novelle "Waiting for Spring" blev første gang udgivet i 2015, i antologien Henshaw Treats.
Mere hjælp
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Uddrag
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Title
The title of the short story “Waiting for Spring” by Tamara Jones has both a literal and a symbolic meaning.
In a literal sense, the title is a direct reference to William’s habit of waiting in the park and looking for signs of spring. When Albert first questions him about why he comes to the park so often, William tells him that he is “waiting for spring” (l. 16). He gives the same reply to two other homeless men who also ask him what he does in the park (l. 63; l. 77). The park offers William the opportunity to observe the changes in nature that happen with the passing of the seasons: “He looked around at the wintry appearance of the park (…) Bare and barren. Icy and brown and wet. (…) No sign of spring still” (ll. 38-45).
In a symbolic sense, the title represents William’s hope that he will live long enough to see the spring. As he observes no change in nature, William feels “dispirited, despite the recent top up of cider” (l. 44). Winter serves as a grim reminder of the hardships he has to endure as a homeless man. William sees the transition between seasons as the toughest part, as many of his friends have died during this period. Spring is a season associated with rebirth and renewal, and it also brings warm weather, making it easier for homeless people to live outdoors. Therefore, the arrival of spring brings William hope, especially since the doctor predicted he would not live to see it.
