Assisi Flashcards
how does the poem display contrast?
Behaviour of St Francis vs actions of the Church
how does the poem display loss?
Churches loss of perspective from St Francis - leading to hypocrisy
how does the poem display suffering?
suffering of the dwarf and ignorance of suffering
how does the poem display relationships?
relationship between church and poor, church letting poor suffer without helping
how does the poem display symbolism?
dwarf is symbolic of human suffering and human ignorance of suffering
Contrast Quotes
- “… His Son. I understood”
- “… the ruined temple outside”
- “I understood/the explanation and/the cleverness”
“… His Son. I understood”
The caesura creates clear contrast in difference between two POV’s. Highlights irony in Priests words and the lack of action that he preaches St Francis did. Hypocrisy in preaching about helping others but letting society suffer anyway
“… the ruined temple outside”
Metaphor comparing dwarf to neglected place of worship. Church should be helping restore it like St Francis would but has left the beggar to suffer unlike their grand beautiful church
“I understood/the explanation and/the cleverness.”
Short sentence, abrupt and direct. Reflects writers statement as he immediately sees the irony in his words and the contrast between his words and his actions
Loss Quotes
- “fluttered after him as he scattered/the grain of the Word”
- “the ruined temple outside”
- “… His Son. I understood”
“fluttered after him as he scattered/the grain of the Word”
Metaphor comparing chickens to tourists and Preists message to the poultry’s food. Lost perspective, now message is used as a tourist attraction to attract tourists as grain would chickens
Suffering Quotes
- “sat, slumped like a half-filled sack”
- “… the ruined temple outside”
- “over whom/he had the advantage/of not being dead yet”
“sat, slumped like a half-filled sack”
Simile compares dwarf to half filled sack. Emphasises emptiness, lack of strength and weakness.
Alliteration also draws attention to defeated sitting position.
“over whom/he had the advantage/of not being dead yet”
His only advantage over St Françis is he is not dead. Morbid irony and highlights lack of hope and suffering so much he has no other positives.
WC “Yet” also suggests suffering suffering so much he may die soon
Relationships Quotes
- “… the ruined temple outside”
- “over whom/he had the advantage/of not being dead yet”
- “… His Son. I understood”
Symbolism Quotes
- “… the ruined temple outside”
- “a child’s when she speaks to her mother”
- “… His Son. I understood”
“a child’s when she speaks to her mother“
Simile comparing dwarf to young child. Suggests dwarf should be looked after and cared for but the church has left him neglected and left to suffer alone
How does the poem display character and surroundings?
The dwarf in juxtaposition to the grand church.
Character and surroundings quotes
- “outside the three tiers of churches built“
- “the ruined temple outside”
“outside the three tiers of churches built”
Contrasts size and grandeur of church to small ragged beggar. Beggar left to suffer in a place where they have money and power
Themes of Assisi?
- Poverty
- Suffering
- Hypocrisy of the Church
