Assisi- Stanza 1 Flashcards
“hands on backwards”
.Connotations of helpless, deformed, & puppet-like
.This suggests the extent of his deformity as it makes clear that the puppet-like image of the dwarf is graphic and grotesque. The dwarf is misshapen and deformed as his body has not been created the way its expected, he’s helpless and lacks mobility strength
therefore cannot look after himself.
“slumped”
.Connotations of lifeless, deflated, & discarded
.This suggests
“like a half filled sack”
.Simile
.
.Just as
.This suggests
“sat…slumped…sack”
.Sibilance
.
“tiny”
.Connotations of slight, insignificant, & almost invisible
.This suggests
“twisted”
.Connotations of contorted, shaped in an unnatural way & forcibly manipulated
.This suggests
“tiny twisted”
.Alliteration
.
“sawdust might run”
.Metaphor
.The deformed dwarf is being compared to a puppet made out of wood
.Just as a puppet would be made out of wood so too is the dwarf whose limbs do not seem to be made of flesh
.This is effective as it makes clear that the dwarf is no longer a man but rather an object and is stripped of human quality. His physical appearances have left him dehumanised and at the mercy of others, and implies he can be dropped at the will of others due to him not being fit for care. It further adds to the extended method of “hands on backward” and “slumped”.
“outside”
.Connotations of abandoned, ignored and marginalised
.This suggests whilst the beggar is physically outside the church on the street, he is also metaphorically outwith of the church’s refuge and care
“three tiers of churches”
.Metaphor
.The grand church is being compared to a tiered wedding cake
.Just as a multi-layered wedding cake is unnecessarily extravagant so too is the over the top and excessive architecture which has been created to show respect to a man who devoted his life to the poor
.This is effective as it makes clear that the structure of the church is majestic and opulent which displays the extent of the appreciation of St Francis and the greatness of his legacy. The unnecessary and excessive grandness of the church architecture is ironic, as the poor beggar who desperately needs help is abandoned outside the church which should be his refuge.
“in honour”
.Irony
“brother”
.Connotations of
“he had the advantage”
“not being dead yet”
. Word Placement
. This is effective as it emphasises the question of just how long the beggar will be alive if his life, which is full of suffering and pain, continues the way it is without any help from the church.
It raises the suggestion that even though the beggar is not deceased it does not necessarily mean that he is truly living
