Assisi Flashcards
What dehumanising language is used to describe the beggar?
“Like a half - filled sack” suggests he can not support himself due to disability, misshapen.
“Hands on backwards” injury, disformity. Suffering. Different, separated, isolated.
“Tiny twisted” alliteration highlights useless, dysfunctional, weak legs.
What language shows contrast between the beggar and the priest?
“Suffering” - (ironic) over-used, cliche word. Lost its meaning. Priest ignores real suffering outside but “cares” about the suffering of Jesus. Hypocrisy.
“Cleverness” suggests the priest thinks he is better than others, superior, intelligent. St Francis believed in equality. The poet is not convinced.
“Honour” - Respect and noteworthy. St Francis is a prime example of a good Christian.
“Brother of the poor…” - (list) St Francis saw himself as equal to those less fortunate, friendship, humble.
Last paragraph language
“As sweet as a child’s” - simile - contrasts with outer, unpleasant appearance, innocence, beauty.
“Wept pus” suggests infection, pain, and disease. Grotesque description.
“Ruined temple” - Metaphor - “Ruined” suggests he is in a state of disrepair and bad condition. “Temple” links to his inner beauty. He is precious, valuable, sacred, and important.
