In The Snack Bar Flashcards
“Cup capsizes”
Alliteration of harsh ‘c’ sound grabs our attention in the same way as the sound of the falling cup would in the cafe
“Slithering”
Has connotations of a snake movement which builds up the unpleasant atmosphere/attitude to what is happening
“Few heads” “crowded”
Contrast between ‘few’ and ‘crowded’ reveals that people are choosing not to look/get involved
“Trying”
Reveals that everyday tasks are a struggle for the man
“Slowly”
carefully and cautiously
“Levers”
Connotations of mechanical and effort again shows that everyday tasks are difficult for the man
“Looming over him”
Personification - his physical disability is something evil and separate from the man and has a negative effect on his life
“Stained belt less gaberdine”
He is unkempt and not well cared for this is part of the reason people ignore him
“Monstrous animal caught in a tent”
He is something trapped and angry and yet others are scared and isolating him
“The face not seen, bent down in a shadow under his cap”
There is mystery and uncertainty around the man which dehumanises him and isolates him from society
“Even on his feet he is staring at the floor”
A vulnerable character Creates sympathy in the reader as he is unable to look around him
“Scuffed and muddy”
Reinforced the idea that he is not cared for
“He stands”
This is on a separate line to emphasise what fear this is for the man which again emphasises how hard everyday life is for the man
“Fumbling”
Shows his difficulty in moving
“I want - to go to the - toilet”
Dashes used to emphasise his stutter and reveals his helplessness
“Give me - your arm - it’s better”
The man is now more confident In speaking up for himself as he is giving instructions the dashes show the difficulty and hesitation he has in speaking
“Inch by inch”
Reveals how slow moving the man is
“A few yards of floor are like a landscape”
Simile- the floor is an obstacle for the man which shows how huge an are it is for someone who struggles to walk
“Time has almost stopped”
The man is moving very slowly
“I concentrate my life to his:”
Key idea of the poem the speaker is trying to see the world from the blind man’s point of view
“Voices and laughter”
Highlights the man’s isolation
“Slow dangerous inches to the stairs”
Something as small as am inch is dangerous to a blind man
“Clings”
WC shows the desperation of the man and the trust he has to place in the speaker
“And slowly we go down. And slowly we go down.”
Repetition - motion of climbing the stairs and emphasises how slow moving they are
“But”
The connective shows that despite the dark description the speaker does feel sympathy for the man
“Old man’s apology for living”
Metaphor shows how miserable his life is
“Painful ages to close his trousers and coat”
Even getting dressed is painful for the man but also painful for the speaker to watch this happening
“Doubtfully, ‘can I - wash my hands?”
The stutter and the word doubtfully shows that the man is still unsure if he will get help highlights how often he has to ask for help everyday
“Soft fingers”
In contrast to the previous description of the man and shows a more sympathetic side
“Cannot rub them together”
His disability even extends to the ability to dry his hands he can’t use the air dryer due to the weakness in his hands
“He climbs , we climb”
Repetition of climbs reveals just how much of a difficulty the stairs are
“Undefeated which is the nature of man when all is said”
Key idea of the poem speaker admires the will to survive that is present in the man the tone changes from Pity to admiration
“Slowly we go up. And slowly we go up”
Repetition emphasises the gradualness of the journey
“Endless, yet not endless waste of floor.”
It seems endless due to his disability but it is not endless because the man will continue to walk until he is finished which shows his strength of character
“I watch him helped on a bus.” “The conductor bends to hear”
The man continues to be helped by others as he goes on his journey and is always reliant on the kindness of others
“Wherever he would go it would be dark”
Physical disability blindness but also refers to the lack of hope for the man things will not change for him
“Yet he must trust men without embarrassment or shame”
The central theme of the poem the man who is already at a disadvantage must rely on other people all the time
“No one sees his face”
People can’t see his face due to his disability but also because society chooses not to see his face to dehumanise him because he is weak and different
“Evade”
Suggests a deliberate attempt to avoid the man by the majority of society
“Rains of august”
Adds to dark and depressing mood
“Dear Christ to be born for this!”
Links to teaching of Christ - shows the speaker questioning why people have to suffer and be treated in such a poor way by society
“Low round stool fixed to the floor”
Detail- hard and uncomfortable, difficult for a disabled man to navigate
“Drift”
Has connotations of slow and lack of purpose also reveals the patience of the speaker moving at the speed of the man
“Probing”
WC reveals the man is careful and cautious
“He shambles uncouth”
Links back to how the man walks (stanza one) the man is contrasted to the clean bathroom and highlights again how the man looks
“Brooding reflection darkens”
Reflective and sad - emphasises the darkness and misery surrounding the man
“Feebly patient”
Creates a feeling of pity the man’s disability has forced him to be patient but also needs others to be the same
“Draw his hands gently”
Reveals how caring and helpful the speaker is
“Contraption”
WC highlights the complexity and difficulty of the dryer for the man
“Faltering unfaltering”
Use of contrasting words to show the struggle and strength of the man he is faltering physically but mentally he refuses to give up
“At last”
Highlights the struggle and length of time it has taken
“Announce” “public place”
The idea that the man must ‘advertise’ his weakness in order to get help puts him in a more vulnerable position than most people
“Frightening he is in his strangeness”
Relates to the theme the fear of difference he needs help and yet other people are scared of him
