From The Journey of a Disappointed Man by Andrew Motion Flashcards
STRUCTURE
How can the overall structure of the poem be described?
very repetitive
consistent layout of 4 line stanzas
11 stanzas
even line lengths
STRUCTURE
What does it give a visual impression of? What might readers link this to?
solid blocks and chunks of text
traditional association between masculinity and strength through its consistency and regular shape
STRUCTURE
What other interpretation could a reader have of the structure of the poem?
a stronger link with idea of cycles in society
individuals conform to the societal expectations rather than showing elements of individuality
STRUCTURE
What serves as a contrast to the regular stanza layout? What does it bring to the poem?
enjambment
diversity to pace of the poem
STRUCTURE
What do most of the stanza conclude with? Where is this pattern not followed?
terminal caesura in form of an end-stopped line
beginning of poem where ideas and imagery are allowing to continue onto the next stanza
STRUCTURE
What effect does enjambment have? What is an alternate interpretation of this?
- imagery is more effective as it is uninterrupted for longer
- it develops ‘story-like’ setting of the scene
the enjambment can be seen as oversimplifying the poem to make it more blunt and realistic. particularly for the recount of manual labour
STRUCTURE
What does the varied punctuation do to poem?
impacts the rhythm and pace
STRUCTURE
Name some example of punctuation used.
1st stanza - commas as part of list
2nd stanza - semi-colons
3rd stanza - hyphens and introduction of speech
STRUCTURE
What may the varied use of punctuation in contrast to the simple stanza structure represent?
the ways in which external presentation of masculinity may differ to the internal thoughts and experiences
while on outside there may be appearance of conformity, not the same internally
STRUCTURE
Overall, what does the structure seem to offer the reader?
two alternate versions of masculinity
STRUCTURE
By the end of the poem, what is shown?
neither kind of man has an answer to the ‘secret problem’
POETIC TECHNIQUES
What does the persistent use of contrasting imagery and ideas help to do?
create an interesting shift in perspective
shows onlooker as different to the men being observed
e.g. workers are working practically, in contrast to the more intellectual thoughts of the onlooker
POETIC TECHNIQUES
What does, arguable, the writer, use as a perspective? What effect does this have?
an ‘us versus them’ perspective
it criticised hyper-masculine imagery by highlighting individuality
POETIC TECHNIQUES
What does the use of “I” and personal observations help?
to create a greater sense of being for the narrator
POETIC TECHNIQUES
However, what does the “I” perspective point out?
that there is a distance between the descriptions of “men” and the personal “I”
could be interpreted as the narrator not feeling a part of this “type” of man (if a man)
POETIC TECHNIQUES
Where are plosives used? What do they achieve?
‘b’ - baffled
‘p’ - pulleys, powerful
emphasise masculine tone and elements
POETIC TECHNIQUES
What is the difference between the ‘p’ and ‘b’ sound? What does this represent?
‘p’ - voiceless where the vocal cords do not vibrate when making the sound
‘b’ - effective at creating a more consistently strong sound
‘p’ presents the “I” perspective and how he does not feel powerful as the working men who present the ‘b’ sound
POETIC TECHNIQUES
Where is figurative language used? What does the range suggest?
“mystic” - linking ideas of altered state of consciousness, applied ideas of knowledge and education onto the workers
“monsters”
“original thinker”
“majesty”
suggest ambivalent (mixed) attitude
POETIC TECHNIQUES
Name 2 other techniques used.
Juxtaposition
Lists
POETIC TECHNIQUES
What does the imagery of piers represent?
structures that don’t go anywhere
remarkable feats of engineering
by contrast, neither the workmen nor the narrator are able to offer a way forward
takes us to disappointment of title
POETIC TECHNIQUES
How is contrast of language shown? What does it suggest?
“ruminative” vs “let go”
difference with the narrators complex vocabulary vs workers monosyllabic words
significant because they are all men. differing versions of men.
What themes are presented?
Work
Gender
Society and Culture
How is the theme of work presented?
direct consideration of how work can impact an individual
How is theme of gender presented?
strong focus on ideas of masculinity
makes reader consider their ideas of masculinity and how different men may see themselves
How is theme of society and culture represented?
Motion encourages reader to consider views of masculinity
how society can be seen to expect certain behaviours
