Hotel Room 12th Floor Flashcards
I watched
word choice
suggests McCaig is distant, not apart of the scene and is making a judgement from afar
a helicopter skirting like a damaged insect
simile
suggests that something is diseased and broken implying McCaigs disapproval for technological advancements
jumbo size
word choice
reminiscent of americas want for everything to be bigger and better
Jumbo size dentist drill
metaphor
comparison with something stereotypically frightening, suggests an ominous vibe of modern buildings
landing
word choice
suggests extreme wealth, contrasting the proceeding ideas about destitute and crimeridden
midnight has come in from foreign places
word choice
change in tone to fearful suggest unfamiliarity, danger and threat
come in
suggests invasiveness
It’s uncivilised darkness
word choice
suggests primitiveness and brutality contrasting the idea that “NYC” is a modern society
It’s uncivilised darkness is shot at by a million lit windows
metaphor
suggests the assault on darkness by technology: McCaig is saying that humans cannot overcome it’s primal inherent nature.
Midnight
continued metaphor
suggests that violence is just human nature
not so easily defeated
word choice
suggests humanity will not be to overcome savagery, tone is changed to hopeless violence is innevitable
between a radio and a television set
word choice
shows how he is surrounded by technology; isolation
warwhoops
word choice
reference to the native americans and violent history of the country proving that despite technological advancements we are still at war with each other and we are no more civilised than we once were
wildest of warwhoops
alliteration
evokes feeling of sirens constantly blaring relentless and disturbing
glittering canyons and gultches
metaphor
for surrounding buildings towering over everything
police cars and ambulances racing
word choice
suggest that constant violence is displayed
broken bones, hars screaming
word choice
there is no mention of actual humans just the result of violence and how constant and widespread it is
coldwater flats
word choice
contrasts with the wealthy at the start of the poem no human advancements can be seen as humans live without heating and water
frontier
word choice
suggests the idea of eternal war and violence is always present
no stockades
metaphor
with defence mechanisms, bleak tone saying that we can never beat our inherent will for bloodshed
No stockades can keep the midnight out
short sentence
helps to drive the final message home that humans will never be able to overcome savagery
