A consumer's report

Question 1

what is the context of the poem?

Answer 1

-Porter worked as an advertising copywrite

In 1970…
-people became to have higher living standards
-things were mass produced and advertised to give happiness

Question 2

what effect does the lack of an end stop after “the competitive product you sasid you’d send” have?

Answer 2

-it reflects the discontent of the consumerist society
-reflects how death is sudden and unexpected
(because the competitive product is a metaphor for death)

Question 3

what effect does the polysyndenton(repetition of conjunctions) of “or” have?

Answer 3

-undervalue of studies of human behaviour
-undervalue of life because of consumerism (anything can be bought)

Question 4

what effect does the poem being a free verse have?

Answer 4

-shows freedom and lack of limitations in life
-lack of structure shows the uncertainty of life and perhaps the worries it brings

Question 5

what effect does the word “instructions” have?

Answer 5

-it is metaphor for laws, morals and religions
-it also reflects the school systems and typical routes in life but linked with “they seem to contradict each other”, it presents a dilema of what is the ‘right’ way to live

Question 6

what effect does “didn’t feel much while using it” have?

Answer 6

-shows that life is meaningless if you don’t work on it
-“using” contrasts with how usually life is something you “build” for yourself
-it reflects the consumerist society and shows how life becomes meaningful when you add something to it not “use” it

Question 7

what does “price is much too high” show?

Answer 7

-shows the undervaluation of life in a consumerist society
-price is a metaphor for mortality of own and loved ones

Question 8

what does the name “A comsumer’s report” show?

Answer 8

-the indefinite article “a” shows the insignificance of the respondent
-“report” creates a cynical tone between the manufacturer and the consumer
-consumer thinks about criticising the product
-manufacurer thinks about improving it and making more money
-this dynamic shows consumerism

Question 9

what effect does “keep its maker in a job”

Answer 9

-maker is a metaphor for a spiritual creator
-“keep in a job” creates an image that the consumer has a degree of power over the maker
-consumerism’s effect on people’s perception on spirituality
-shows people losing parts in their life which one of is spiritual life