O-LevelLiterature in EnglishPoetry2010/12 · May/June 2019 · Q425 Marks
The Buck in the Snow White sky, over the hemlocks bowed with snow, Saw you not at the beginning of evening the antlered buck and his doe Standing in the apple-orchard? I saw them. I saw them suddenly go, Tails up, with long leaps lovely and slow, Over the stone-wall into the wood of hemlocks bowed with snow. 5 Now he lies here, his wild blood scalding the snow. How strange a thing is death, bringing to his knees, bringing to his antlers The buck in the snow. How strange a thing–a mile away by now, it may be, Under the heavy hemlocks that as the moments pass Shift their loads a little, letting fall a feather of snow– Life, looking out attentive from the eyes of the doe. 10 (Edna St Vincent Millay)
- Explore the ways in which Millay makes The Buck in the Snow such a sad poem.[25]
Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- demonstrates knowledge by incorporating well-selected reference to the text skilfully and with flair (AO1)
- sustains a critical understanding of the text showing individuality and insight (AO2)
- responds sensitively and in considerable detail to the way the writer achieves her / his effects (AO3)
- sustains personal and evaluative engagement with task and text (AO4)
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