Hotel room, 12th floor by Norman MacCaig - Key quotes and analysis Flashcards
“helicopter skirting like a damaged insect”
simile - suggests size of helicopter (compared to big building and city) is small like and insect. Suggests it is small and insignificant.
Word choice of ‘skirting’ suggests going around, on the edge, dodge. Indicates city is a place to avoid.
‘Insect’ has connotations of annoying and unpleasant.
“jumbo size dentist’s drill”
metaphor - just as a dentist drill is something that people tend to fear or dislike, so too is the empire state building scary because of its size. The writer uses this to show the negative tone of the city because it suggests that even the locals are scared of it.
Connotes pain and suffering and suggests that the city is violent itself.
Technology has gone too far and become harmful.
“its uncivilised darkness is shot at by a million lit windows”
Word choice of ‘uncivilised’ connotes savage, primitive and unacceptable behaviour.
Word choice of ‘darkness’ connotes evil, unknown, threat.
Word choice of ‘shot’ connotes guns and violence.
The writer chose these words the show that at night there is a change in the city and it become, dangerous, crime ridden and unsafe.
Contrast of ‘darkness’ and ‘lit’ introduces theme of good vs evil.
Word choice of ‘lit’ connotes good, life, humanity.
