In a London drawing room Flashcards
themes
connection
industrialisation
nature
life
monotny
summary
isolation caused by industrialisation + urban life, no nature
TSIC,YBTS
The sky is cloudy, yellowed by the smoke
* “cloudy” - uncertain, no direction, no guidance, emotional or societal heaviness
* “yellowed” - tainted or corrupted
* suggests world has been polluted possibly by industrialisation or human activity
* “yellowed” - connoted decay - sense of deterioiration - reinforces the overall bleak atmosphere - suggests lack of moralilt
* “metaphor of smoke” - industrial pollution or symbolise evironmental degradation
* dullness, lifelessness and oppresion
int
* could be the literal effects of industrialation ad pollution
* or metaphor for emotional or spiritual decay - sky is often a symbol of hope or freedom - yellowed = loss of hope, clarity in society or in the individual
* poet critiques demanising and soulness nature of the modern world
CTSWALLOW,LSF
Cutting the sky with one long line of wall, like solid fog
* “cutting” - verb - aggressive, sharp
* wall doesnt just stand against the sky, it invades it suggesting urban structures overpower nature
* monotony of buildings - repetitve
* simile -fog - soft, shifting but solid - heavy and impenetrable
* sense of entrapment
* solid fog could be a metaphor so speakers mental state
NBCMASAIF,FAIS
No bird can make a shadow as it flies, for all is shadow
* uses paradox and imagery
* “shadow” - noun more than physical darkness - spiritual, emoitional and societal gloom
* “for all is shadow” - almost nihilistic - absolutelism - suggests its inescapable and almost permant
* bird - freedom, nature becomes irrevelant and invisible - bleakness overpowers
* critique of industrial life where even nature (rep bird) is powerless against the artificial smog or metaphoral darkness created by mankind
TWSOHPHAC
The world seems one huge prison-house and court
* metaphor - lack of freedom, world isnt a place of opportunity or beauty any more, but restrictive
* “court” - constant judgement/condemnation - relentless cycle of accusation and punishment
* not only are ppl trapped but perpetually scrutinused
* “seems” - tentative -perception is subjective - shaped by emotional state but intensity of this metaphor pushes readers to question is this is metaphorical or real
* int = modern society strips ppl of freedom, identity
* alt = “prison-house” - symbolise mental or emotional imprisonment of speaker - maybe their perception has been shaped by trauma/despair - so much that even ordinary spaces feel confining
WMAPATSC
Where men are punished at the slightest cost
* suffering and opprsion are administred easily, cheaply without moral consequence
* “cost” - can refer to financial expense, hinting society devalues human wellbeing or moral cost - suggesting ethical indifference
* “slightest” - adj - even the smallest expression or individuality reuslts in harsh conseuqneces - for simply existign
* perhaps industrial society normalises or tolerates human suffering as long as its low cost - loss of empathy
* or emotional punsihment - ppl are mentally worn down by societal expectations
WLROC,WAJ
With lowest rate of colour, warmth and joy
* tricolon - list of what makes life meaninful and vibrant
* “colour” sumbolises imagination/vibrancy
* “warmth” suggests emotional comfort
* “joy” sumbolsis fulfilment
* uses economic language - cold and impersonal - things like happiness and beauty are like commodities smth measured controlled and in shrot supply
* postivie emotions have been reduced
* structual ending - final judgment - world = lifeless ,s ouless and emotionally drained - no hope, freedom or indiviudality
int
* industr. causes ppl to lose their sense of joy
* alt = metaphor for emotional numbeness - world has become so depresing, ppl dont feel anthing
AHOALUTG
All hurry on & look upon the ground,
* due to rapid advancements of industrialisation, humanity hasnt taken a moment to reflect on their decisions, instead they are too focussed on moving forward without a clear goal - “hurry” - incessant rush
* disconnection - literal - so focused on their immediate tasks that they dont engage with each other
* symbolic disconnection - reflect shame or emotional defeat - heads bowed
* shows how indsutrial progress has weighted it down
NFL PTFTHOTE
No figure lingering pauses to feed the hunger of the eye
* not only are ppl rushing but deliberately avoiding stillness
* “lingering” - moment of peace, curiouslty - absent in industrial world
* metaphor - personfies eye craving beauty/variety
* “hunger” - deep need for aesthetic or emotional nourshment
MOSAF
Monotony of surface and form
* infitine loop of lifelessness, tedious repetition
