In both ‘Like a Beacon’ and ‘Table’ the speakers describe feelings about home and
family. What are the similarities and/or differences between the methods the poets use to
present these feelings?
In ‘Table’, the speaker presents feelings of families as nostalgic and memorable through the extended
metaphor of memories, whereas in ‘Like a beacon’, the poet describes feelings of family as a longing
and loving attitude through the simile of the ‘beacon.’ Hull uses the family as a reminder of his
memories, and the table depicts his construction of his family through his pride and love. As readers,
we learn that the table holds ‘too’ many memories, which have made the family who they are today,
implying that the family remains united. However, in ‘Like a beacon’, the writer uses his hope for his
family ‘like a beacon’, as he ‘swings his bag.’ This demonstrates that the beacon symbolises hope
because light can be intrinsically linked to truth. Readers are made aware that he is ‘craving’ his
‘mother's food’, which implies he hasn’t eaten with her in a while and longs to be in her presence. The
poems both convey a positive attitude towards family, yet Hull depicts family as unified, whereas
Nicholos creates intentional imagery of hope and desperation to convey a sense of hope and
desperation for his family.
Also, the poets use short stanzas to convey these loving attitudes towards families; however, Hull
uses enjambment, and Nicholos uses a free verse structure. The use of punctuation in ‘Table’ shows
how the speaker is almost listing his memories; it creates a long, flowing movement as he places the
ideas of the tables to structure his realisation of experiences. However, in ‘Like a beacon’, the poet
uses free verse to accentuate the idea that all of his perceptions of family are fluid; they are constant
and represent his emotional tone throughout the poem. I also think this could link to the idea that
family isn’t as constructed or rigid, so he is able to express his devotion to its importance. Similarly,
though, the short stanzas and dramatic monologue serve to demonstrate their personal, simple but
loving attitudes through the poem
family. What are the similarities and/or differences between the methods the poets use to
present these feelings?
In ‘Table’, the speaker presents feelings of families as nostalgic and memorable through the extended
metaphor of memories, whereas in ‘Like a beacon’, the poet describes feelings of family as a longing
and loving attitude through the simile of the ‘beacon.’ Hull uses the family as a reminder of his
memories, and the table depicts his construction of his family through his pride and love. As readers,
we learn that the table holds ‘too’ many memories, which have made the family who they are today,
implying that the family remains united. However, in ‘Like a beacon’, the writer uses his hope for his
family ‘like a beacon’, as he ‘swings his bag.’ This demonstrates that the beacon symbolises hope
because light can be intrinsically linked to truth. Readers are made aware that he is ‘craving’ his
‘mother's food’, which implies he hasn’t eaten with her in a while and longs to be in her presence. The
poems both convey a positive attitude towards family, yet Hull depicts family as unified, whereas
Nicholos creates intentional imagery of hope and desperation to convey a sense of hope and
desperation for his family.
Also, the poets use short stanzas to convey these loving attitudes towards families; however, Hull
uses enjambment, and Nicholos uses a free verse structure. The use of punctuation in ‘Table’ shows
how the speaker is almost listing his memories; it creates a long, flowing movement as he places the
ideas of the tables to structure his realisation of experiences. However, in ‘Like a beacon’, the poet
uses free verse to accentuate the idea that all of his perceptions of family are fluid; they are constant
and represent his emotional tone throughout the poem. I also think this could link to the idea that
family isn’t as constructed or rigid, so he is able to express his devotion to its importance. Similarly,
though, the short stanzas and dramatic monologue serve to demonstrate their personal, simple but
loving attitudes through the poem
