Introduction

Question 1

Opening sentence

Answer 1

The poem “Visiting hour” written by Norman MacCaig is a free verse poem which uses a stream of consciousness to reflect the speakers thought process when visiting his dying loved one.

Question 2

Summary

Answer 2

The poem explores the emotional impact that visiting a loved one in hospital has on a person and how difficult it is to come to terms with this.

Question 3

Refer to question

Answer 3

MacCaig successfully uses techniques such as word choice, imagery, and sentence structure to present how the hospital setting reflects the pain and uncertainty of his situation and the emotional implications of this.