london form, structure and language Flashcards
describe the form of the poem (including the rhyme scheme, type of poem and narrative)
this is a DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE — the FIRST PERSON narrator speaks passionately and personally about the suffering he sees. The ABAB rhyme scheme is unbroken and seems to echo the relentless misery of the city. The REGULAR rhyme scheme could reflect the sound of his feet as he trudges around.
describe the structure of the poem (including imagery and shifts between stanzas)
The narrator presents relentless images of downtrodden, deprived people. The first two stands is focused on people he sees and hears, before a shift in stanza three to the institutions he holds responsible. The final stanza returns to look at people, showing how even newborn babies are affected.
how does the narrator use rhetorical language to persuade the reader of his point of view
He uses powerful, emotive words and images to reinforce the horror of the situation. Repetition is used to emphasise the number of people affected, and to show how society needs to change.
explain the effect of the sensory language used in the poem
The poem includes the depressing sites and sounds of the city — the first stanza shows what he sees, the second what he hears and the last two stanzas combine the visual and aural.
what effect does the contrasting imagery in the last stanza create
they show how everything is affected and nothing pure or innocent remains
