BC Word Choice Flashcards
“but less timid”
Gorillas aren’t known as timid animals, anyway, so this therefore
reinforces and emphasises the extent of the cop’s brutality.
“thick-fleshed”
• Play on the cliché of ‘thick-skinned’.
• Usually, ‘skin’ would be used to describe humans and ‘flesh’ for
animals.
• Animalistic connotations suggest the cop’s aggression and primitive
tendencies.
“steak-coloured”
• Although this may be a reference to the cop’s tan from working
outside, “steak” has connotations of violence, blood and savagery.
• Steak is the by-product of animals, dominated and destroyed for the
survival of mankind. Links back to the primitive idea of survival of the
fittest.
• Suggestive of the death and violence the cop has witnessed and
survived.
“‘See you, babe’”
Cliché suggests lack of true emotion. Reinforces caveman like image of
the cop.
“Honey”
• These words are not a cliché to the cop. The contrast between this and the
previous quote from him emphasises his sincerity and shows the contrast
between the violence of his work and the loving nature of his domestic life.
• This emphasises the stark contrast between his outward appearance of brutality and his inner vulnerability and emotions
“Plunge”
Emphasises downwards movement. Perhaps indicative of how much
MacCaig feels man has reverted to primitive instinct by behaving in this
manner.
“Violence”
The unusual idea of a “plunge” into an abstract noun grabs the reader’s
attention and emphasises the idea of brutality always bubbling under
the surface.
“clubbings”
Connotations of caveman-like savagery. Perhaps suggests that this is
what MacCaig feels society has been reduced to.
“gunshots”
Suggests modern violence. Time has moved on from “clubbings”, but
man’s propensity for violence has not.
“Phoebe’s Whamburger”
•Use of titles/names of specific places makes the situation and the
violence more personal.
•“Wham” – onomatopoeia / idea of hitting forcefully
•Shows violence permeating everyday American society and
institutions – eateries full of people. These innocent people will be
caught up in the violence.
“Louie’s Place”
•Use of titles/names of specific places makes the situation and the
violence more personal.
•Shows violence permeating everyday American society and
institutions – eateries full of people. These innocent people will be
caught up in the violence.
“gorilla with a nightstick”
• The return to the “gorilla” image defuses any element of previous
sympathy. No longer diluted with “like” or “is”, as in the first stanza.
•“Nightstick”
– Police baton. This suggests a more ‘up close and
personal’ sort of violence, as opposed to a gun. “Stick” has
connotations of violent, primitive weaponry. “Night”, in other MacCaig
poems, has connotations of violence and uncivilised behaviour.
“home”
Connotations of safety and comfort, but the idea is that he may never
return to it.
Sympathetic tone appears genuine. He might not return if he takes one
step too many through “the tissue of violence.”
“victims”
Connotations of innocence of those potentially harmed, or in harm’s
way.
