Glasgow Sonnets Flashcards
“Mean”
WC suggests that the wind is cruel and hostile immediately establishes the negative atmosphere of the poem
“Wind wanders”
WC suggests that the vague threat of the wind can go anywhere but has no purpose. The lack of purpose is also reflected in the place and it’s inhabitants
“Hackles”
Personification suggests an animal that is angry or aggressive which helps to develop the violent and intimidating atmosphere of the poem
“No windows left”
Suggests that the decay is everywhere in the tenement block
“Black block”
Harsh ‘b’ sounds helps to create a bleak view of the situation
“Condemned”
Has connotations of human execution which is reinforced by the image of black block
“Kettle whimpers”
The kettle is expressing he misery and the pain of the inhabitants due to their appalling living conditions
“Roses of mould”
Traditional image of love transferred into something that can cause disease and highlights the poor living conditions
“Man lies late”
Depressed / unmotivated due to his unemployment which shows the emotional impact of poverty
“Letting his coughs fall thinly”
The man is slowly giving up also shows that he is becoming physically I’ll due to his living conditions
“Air too poor to rob”
There is nothing else you can take from the family due to the poor quality of their living conditions also reveals that even the air will affect them negatively
“Trash”
Establishes the dirt and decay of the place
“Old mattresses”
Reference to rubbish helps to develop the theme of display
Old shows they are worn out and discarded
“Briefly and subside”
Briefly shows give up easily , too worn out and old to do anything reinforced by the word subside
“Play-fortresses”
Connotations of violence Reveals the siege mentality of the people who live here. They are prepared to fight
