assisi Flashcards
“hand on backwards”
suggests that the beggar is twisted and misshapen. the grotesque description of him contrasts with the beauty of the church.
“slumped like a half filled sack”
the writer uses simile to emphasise that the beggar is shapeless and extremely unattractive. The word choice slumped suggests that the beggar has no energy and is almost lifeless, he has control over his appearance to others.
“the three tiers of churches”
the writer uses alliteration to show the ostentatious nature of the church, the grand and flashy style of the church links to the materialistic nature of the church. they go against everything st. francis teaches, he believed in living humble lives and helping the needy.
this contrast with the beggar outside the church, the beggar is ugly compared to the beautifully decorated church, the church is meant o take care of the beggar instead they live him to suffer while they enjoy their riches.
“brother of the poor”
this enjambment describes the work of st. francis, he helped the poor, he did not think of himself as too big and important that anyone, he was humble. this contrasts with the tourists, church and the priest that believed they were better than the baggar because of their riches.
“sweet as a child”
the writer uses enjambment to show how grateful the beggar is despite him not receiving anything, this contrast with the tourists who only care for themself, they spend a lot of money to visit this glamorous church but could not even spare a few to gift the beggar. The beggar is a decent human being even though he does not look at it but the tourist that look normal are rotten and ugly on the inside.
“Passed the ruined temple”
The writer uses this metaphor to show how the guests ignore the beggar, they listen to the preachings of saint francis but fail to understand and practise his message. The ruined temple represents the beggar and all people in poverty, they guests do the complete opposite of what st francis teaches, they fail to help the beggar in need.
“clucking contentedly“
the writer uses alliteration to describe the guests chickens, Just as chickens are mindless so to the tourists are dumb and idiotic for just believing the priest without thinking for themself. They don’t take into account what the st. francis preaches.
“outside”
the writer uses enjambment to show that the beggar is outside the beautiful church while others are inside, this shows how isolated he is from the rest of society and the world
“the priest explained”
the priest is talking about all the beautiful aspects of the church building- the frescos, instead of spreading the teachings of st. francis. he is materialistic.
“cleverness”
the writer portrays this in a sarcastic tone as he criticizes the works of the prest, instead of preaching the word of God, he is capitalizing/commercializing the church.
“St francis” how is this an effective conclusion.
this is a good conclusion that reminds us that st francis saw himself as a brother to all living creatures and especially the poor,
the church has drifted from its true purpose and has become just an institution of riches and power to the point where it ignores a beggar sitting on its doorstep. st francis would not have behaved this way.
what other poems link to assis( and their themes)
basking shark- humanity
brooklyn cop- humanity
hotel room 12 floor- humanity, materialism
