This document provides feedback on analyzing the language, structure, and form in John Keats' poem "Lamia". It advises students to closely analyze specific language choices and structural features, and comment on how they affect meanings and the narrative. Two example student comments are given and developed further by adding more textual analysis and closely linking language and structure choices to how they influence the story and characters. Students are also instructed to edit their own work by further developing analysis into evaluation through close examination of language, additional quotations, and connecting it all to the narrative.

1. AO2 – Language, structure, form
Close textual analysis and narrative

2. Feedback from the ‘Lamia’ essay
• Everyone focused on language, structure or
form (form needs a little work for some
people)
• The story was referred to frequently
• Other factors, such as context, were avoided
• Discussion regarding

3. Evaluating – close textual analysis
• When you are talking about the language
being used – maybe for characterisation, or
description of the setting – you need to
comment on the specific meanings of the
language you are quoting.
• You can also closely analyse structural features
– picking out particular examples of
enjambment and caesura.

4. How could this
Example 1 - language comment/analysis be developed
into evaluation?
The narrative perspective in lines 350-397 of ‘Lamia’
aids the understanding of the interaction between the
poem’s protagonists, Lamia and Lycius. The centre
stanza of this section of the poem, largely contains
dialogue between the two characters, generating
sympathy for their apparent fear. The omniscient
narrator enforces this sympathy through the
introduction of the two characters – “Lycius shrank
closer” whilst “hurried Lamia trembled”. Immediately
this emphasises the vulnerability of the two
characters, within the “tempest” ridden setting of
Corinth.

5. How could this
Example 1 - language comment/analysis be developed
into evaluation?
The narrative perspective in lines 350-397 of ‘Lamia’ aids the
understanding of the interaction between the poem’s protagonists,
Lamia and Lycius. The centre stanza of this section of the poem,
largely contains dialogue between the two characters, generating
sympathy for their apparent fear. The omniscient narrator enforces
this sympathy through the introduction of the two characters –
“Lycius shrank closer” whilst “hurried Lamia trembled”. The use of
the word “closer” characterises Lycius as being dependent on Lamia
for protection and companionship, alluding to the bond that exists
between the two. Whereas, “trembling” shows the fragility of the
transformation Lamia has undergone. She has become a ‘human’
character and therefore has taken on some of the characteristics of
humanity. Immediately these language choices emphasise the
vulnerability of the two characters, within the “tempest” ridden
setting of Corinth. Their isolation is seen in a more positive light as it
will provide them with protection, this foreshadows their eventual
withdrawal later in the story and the point of view seems to be that
of Lamia, making her decision to withdraw seem a positive and
necessary one.

6. How could this
Example 2 - structure comment/analysis be developed
into evaluation?
The poem, including this section, is written in heroic
couplets, however these are often distorted and the
rules are broken, this is to imitate natural speech as
well as to hint at more ominous or negative aspects of
the narrative. Most likely suggesting that the ending
of the poem is not going to be happy, as well as
suggesting that Lamia’s disguise isn’t quite right and
that the truth will come out.

7. How could this
Example 2 - structure comment/analysis be developed
into evaluation?
The poem, including this section, is written in heroic couplets,
however these are often distorted and the rules are broken, this
is to imitate natural speech as well as to hint at more ominous
or negative aspects of the narrative. Beginning a line with
“companioned and alone;” and creating a pause with the use of
semi-colon, highlights the feelings of the characters. Structure
is used to direct the reader to the main thread of the story and
therefore create an overriding feeling of the tension between
these two states: Lamia as a serpent was alone and now with
Lycius, they are heading towards living a life of seclusion. The
ceasura helps make the contrast between the couple and the
“many a bright light/ flared” in Corinth more distinct. Most
likely suggesting that the destination of the poem is not going to
be happy, as well as suggesting that Lamia’s disguise isn’t quite
right and that the truth will come out. The iambic structure
stresses the word “light” and could be an indicator to the idea of
truth that lies behind the story.

8. Evaluation: what, how
Editing your own answer and why (linked to the
story)
• Choose a paragraph from your ‘Lamia’ essay and
develop your analysis into evaluation by:
– including close textual analysis – saying how and why
the language/structure used affects the story being
told;
– including another quotation to further support what
you are saying – this could be a single word quotation,
or a couple of single word quotations (even from the
same longer quotation already used);
– and connecting these further examples to the story
being told.