Brooklyn Cop Flashcards
“Built like a gorilla…”
Technique: Simile/Contrasst
Physical stature is compared to that
of a gorilla.
“gorilla”
Connotations: unflattering, brutish, big, strong, insensitive, imposing, powerful, threatening, animalistic.
This highlights the physical potential of the cop which is a contrast to his domestic life
This distances the cop from humanity.
“Built like a gorilla but less timid”
Technique: Irony
“but less timid”
‘timid’
Connotations: tough and brave, no fear.
Since gorillas are seen as potentially violent - MacCaig implies that the cop is even more threatening than an already not very timid gorilla. This exaggeration reinforces his brutality and creates a jokey tone.
“thick-fleshed”
Technique: Word Choice/Pun
‘flesh’ and ‘steak’ compare the man to a piece of meat.
Connotations: raw, blood and violence.
Suggestive of the violence the cop has witnessed and survived.
‘Thick-fleshed’
Pun, play on thick-skinned, he has to do his job creating a sense of menace, suggests his aggression and
primitive tendencies.
“steak-coloured”
Technique: Imagery
Suggests violence and blood. Sense of savagery, violence, blood.
“…with two
hieroglyphs in his face…”
Technique: Metaphor
Cop’s eyes compared to hieroglyphs. His eyes are difficult to read, no inner emotion is visible.
This makes him more intimidating. Reinforces his
brutality as it is impossible to tell what he thinks or sees, and there is nothing that gives away his emotions.
“…with two
hieroglyphs in his face that mean
trouble, …”
Technique: Enjambment
“that mean
trouble”
Subtle reminder of his brutality (mean) and trouble implying that you don’t want to be on the wrong side of him, no inner emotion can be seen. Double-meaning: his intention or the darker side to him?
“…he walks the sidewalk…”
Technique: Word Choice
He’s never far away from violence as he patrols the streets. Constant in his life.
Enjambment: emphasises that violence is just below the surface both in the streets that he patrols and within him
“… and the
thin tissue over violence. …”
Technique: Metaphor/Contrast
Compares tissue (which is fragile and delicate) to the dividing line between civilisation and savagery.
Suggests that peace is fragile and can be easily torn/easy to cross the line.
Also a contrast to the bulk and brutality of the cop and his thick flesh. Cop is important in preventing disorder from spilling out onto the streets.
“… This morning,
when he said, “See you, babe” to his wife”
“See you, babe”
Technique: Cliché
Suggests lack of true emotion. Caveman like, reinforces gorilla imagery.
This makes him appear thoughtless.
“when he said, “See you, babe” to his wife,
he hoped it, he truly hoped it.
…
to whom “Hiya, honey” is no cliche.”
Technique: Repetition
“hoped” is repeated to suggest the Cop’s sincerity.
This stresses the danger of his environment, hints at his own desperation. There is a constant risk that he may have had the last moment with his wife, he may die in his job.
This also contrasts with his clichéd dialogue with his wife. Shows his vulnerability- “See you” isn’t a
meaningless comment, but his wish, reinforced by “truly”
Word choice/contrast emphasises his feelings for his wife, contrast between the violence of his everyday life and his domestic life
Outward appearance of brutality contrasted with his own vulnerability
He is grateful to make it home everyday.
“He is a gorilla”
Technique: Metaphor
Compared to a gorilla, repeat of opening line but stronger. Is aggression just inherent in
his personality? He is brutish.
Contrasts with his sincerity for his wife and suggests that he is a product of his environment.
“Should the tissue tear, should he plunge through
into violence, …”
Technique: Inversion/Repetition (of ‘should’)
Implies the speaker is worried, concerned about what might/is likely to happen, the possibility that the cop could succumb to violence.
“Should the tissue tear”
Technique: Extended metaphor/alliteration
MacCaig uses this to consider what the impact would be if it broke. He asks us to consider what would happen if
the cop descended into savage and violent behaviour.
“plunge”
Technique Word choice
Connotations: downward movement, plummet, descend, fall without control.
Suggests that the Cop could fall into violence or savage behaviour quite easily and abrubtly. The Cop’s position is precarious.
Tear suggests sharp pain.
“… what clubbings, what
gunshots…”
Technique: Enjambment/Repetition (of ‘what’)
This stresses the intensity/severity of the violence, suggests the uncertainty the cop faces everyday.
