Ohura
TEXT B: Ohura (poem)
1. With reference to lines 1–11, explain why “their eyes were dead” (line 11) after the poet mentions Te Awamutu and Te Kuiti.
2. Analyse how the poet develops the idea of Ohura as “little” and “hidden” in lines 13–21 (“It’s a little river valley … more hills whichever way you looked”).
3. Analyse how the poet creates a positive impression of the mountains (Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Taranaki) in lines 22–32 (“but south and east … dreaming a new world”).
ANSWERS
1. With reference to lines 1–11, explain why “their eyes were dead” (line 11) after the poet mentions Te Awamutu and Te Kuiti.
2. Analyse how the poet develops the idea of Ohura as “little” and “hidden” in lines 13–21 (“It’s a little river valley … more hills whichever way you looked”).
3. Analyse how the poet creates a positive impression of the mountains (Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Taranaki) in lines 22–32 (“but south and east … dreaming a new world”).
ANSWERS