Assisi Quotes Flashcards
“The dwarf with his hands on backwards”
The word “backwards” has connotations of something that is back to front. This adds to the poet’s idea that the beggar’s hands are so deformed that they are of no use to him, making him helpless.
“Sat, slumped like a half-filled sack”
The writer uses a simile here where he compares the beggar to a sack. Just as the top part of a half-filled sack would flop over as it is empty, so too the beggar’s back is hunched over as he has a hunchback. This adds to the poet’s idea that the beggar is badly deformed and deserves pity and help, yet no one helps him.
“On twisted legs”
The word “twisted” has connotations of pain and of something being misshapen. This adds to the writer’s idea that the beggar’s legs are unable to support him, and he needs help from others. This is also shown by the fact that they are “tiny”, so not properly formed.
“outside the three tiers of churches built/in honour of St. Francis”
The poet uses contrast here. The beggar is shown to be tiny and insignificant in comparison to the grand church which has three levels. It is also ironic that the beggar appears to be excluded from the church built to honour a man who helped the poor when he was alive (he is “outside”).
“I understood the explanation and the cleverness”
The poet’s response to the priest praising the frescoes is very brief, dismissive and matter-of-fact, as shown in the short sentence. It suggests that he is unmoved by the frescoes and thinks that the priest should be doing his job (looking after the poor and needy) rather than acting as a tour guide.
“A rush of tourists, clucking contentedly/fluttered after him as he scattered/the grain of the Word.”
Here, the poet uses an extended metaphor in which he compares the tourists to chickens. Just as chickens are noisy, stupid animals that do not think for themselves and are motivated only by food, so too the tourists are so busy chattering and trying to get close to the priest to hear what he is saying that they ignore the beggar outside. This adds to the poet’s idea that they are selfish and are missing the message of what the church stands for.
“It was they who had passed/the ruined temple outside”
Here the poet uses a metaphor where he compares the beggar to a ruined temple. Just as a ruined temple would be neglected and left to crumble, so too the beggar has been abandoned and left to become even more unwell. Also, the word “temple” (another word for a church/holy building) directly links to the contrast between the church and the beggar; the church is receiving lots of attention whilst the beggar is ignored.
“whose eyes/wept pus, whose back was higher/than his head, whose lopsided mouth said “Grazie …”
The poet uses repetition of “whose” here to emphasise just how many things the beggar has wrong with him. This adds to his idea that the beggar is in need of help and pity, yet no one helps him.
“Whose eyes wept pus….”
The word “wept” has connotations of tears and sadness. This adds to the writer’s idea that the beggar has a miserable life and is very unhappy. This is effective as the phrase not only tells us that his eyes are infected (the “pus”) but also suggests the emotional state of the beggar.
“in a voice as sweet/as a child’s when she speaks to her mother”
The poet uses a simile here to compare the beggar’s voice to that of a little girl. Just as the voice of a little girl would sound innocent and gentle, so too the beggar’s voice is pleasant and bright. This is effective as his voice contrasts with his ugly appearance. The poet is perhaps suggesting we should not judge by appearances, but also tells us that, despite his terrible life, the beggar still shows gratitude for any kindness he receives.
