assisi by norman maccaig key quotes and analysis Flashcards
“sat slumped like a half-filled sack”
Alliteration of ‘s’ emphasises how deflated he is.
Word choice of ‘slumped’ suggests no energy, almost lifeless, can’t support his own body weight, lack of movement. Perhaps poverty made him this way.
Simile - just as a half-filled sack would be unwanted because it is not reaching its full potential, so too is the beggar undesirable because he is unattractive and has no purpose in life. The writer used this to create the image of the beggar being shapeless and deformed as well as to dehumanise him.
“outside the three tiers of churches built in honour of St Francis, brother of the poor”
Word choice of ‘outside’ suggests alone, isolated, cut off from society. This shows that the beggar has been rejected from the church of St Francis, despite the fact it was built to honour someone who would’ve helped those in need.
Ostentatious nature of church contrasts with ugliness of the mans appearance and situation.
Ironic tone as St Francis had this church built ‘in honour’ of him even though he would have preferred the money and time was used to help the poor.
Word choice of ‘brother’ suggests St Francis saw himself as equal with the poor and he didn’t think of himself as better than others.
“over whom he had the advantage of not being dead yet”
Bitter ironic tone.
Word choice of ‘advantage’ has connotations of benefit. Poet uses this as is shows being alive is the only thing the beggar has in his favour, yet it is no advantage, as he has a miserable life. Suggests he will only find peace when he is dead.
Final word ‘yet’ has a sinister effect, suggesting the beggar won’t live much longer, mood of pity for beggar.
“i understood the explanation and the cleverness”
Bitter tone.
Short succinct statement after caesura creates a dismissive tone, making it clear that the poet sees it as hypocrisy. No kindness or compassion in the paintings as they won’t help the man. Also shows MacCaig’s view that intelligence is nothing without kindness.
“a rush of tourists, clucking contentedly”
Metaphor.
Just as chickens don’t think for themselves and always run around in groups, so too do the tourists mindlessly wander about and lack individuality. The writer does this to show that he thinks the tourists lack thoughts and struggle to comprehend what they are being told - they listen to the tale os St Francis and then ignore his wishes and beliefs afterwards.
“a voice as sweet as a child’s”
Contrasts with previously grotesque image of his appearance.
Simile - just as a child is innocent and full of love, so too is the beggar, he is pure-hearted, kind and polite. The poet does this to remind the reader that despite the brutal descriptions of the beggar, he is still human. He may not have an attractive appearance but he has inner beauty.
