Peter Grimes Flashcards
George Crabbe
What does it show?
“At first refused, then added his abuse…but being drunk, wept sorely when he died”
The first part allows the reader to make a judgement about Peter as it creates a negative image about him. The narrative swiftly changes into quite a somber and dark one as the narrative changes and also implies that Peter pay have had some involvement in his fathers death: “laid his parent low”
What does it show?
“But must awhile relinquish ale and play…but must acquire the money he would spend”
He finds a temporary freedom, something that will eventually run as as his material habits need funding. One of the seven deadly sins (SLOTH) as it is not a moral living
What does it show?
“Peter…fled from his boat, and sought for prey”
Depicts him to be something less than human, something sub-human. Insinuates he is the predator and the boys are his prey - criminal
What does it show?
“He wish’d for one to trouble and control”
Makes the reader question whether this may be a circle of abuse? Creates a motive for Peter explaining why he is abusing these boys
What does it show?
“Peter had heard there were in London then, still have they being!”
Location changes again - the narrative of the poem expresses a level of anger at what is happening (Peter buying children from the London orphanage), they criticise society for allowing this to happen as they view it as a criminal act however it was actually legal
What does it show?
“And when a lad was found…the slave was bound”
Juxtaposition - describes Peter’s purpose of having the boys - suggests abuse and a level of culpability as the community are not stopping him from hurting these boys - moral crime
What does it show?
“Pinn’d, beaten, cold, pinch’d, threaten’d and abused…the savage master, grinn’d in horrid glee”
Shows the extent of the abuse that Peter inflicts onto the boys that he is buying - something that back in the C18th and C19th was completely legal as you then owned that child, it is however cruel and gives insight into Peters lack of morals
What does it show?
“He growl’d - “I found him lifeless in his bed…poor Sam is dead””
Depicts him as being animal like which adds to the idea of him being a predator and the boys being the pray. This is also the first time that the boy has been given a name/identity. He also covers up his crime which society don’t question
What does it show?
“Another boy with equal ease was found…and the victim bound”
Structurally, the poem changes again moving to the second victim - creates a sense of entrapment
What does it show?
“What was his fate?..perish’d in her well, where fish were living kept”
The fish are kept in the well which represents the treatment of the second boy, symbolises that he is being held captive - also further implies the predator and prey theme
What does it show?
"”What said the jury?” - they were long in doubt, but sturdy Peter faced the matter out”
Makes reference to the legal system and shows how they haven’t done anything to stop him from abusing more boys - criticism of the legal system
What does it show?
“And at the slave-shop Peter still applied”
Victim number 3 of Peter’s - this directly shows Peter’s view on the boys, no care for them
What does it show?
“In the town they gave fire, food and comfort, to the slave”
The community were more attached to this boy than the other boys - implies a sense of Christian charity/pity
Provides hope for the reader as it shows a glimpse of hope that Peter might be stopped
What does it show?
“The pitying women raised a clamour round, and weeping said, “Thou hast thy ‘prentice drown’d”…kept his brazen features all unmoved”
He is finally summoned to the epicentre of judicial arrangements because of women’s concerns. An injunction not a punishment - he has no trace of morality
What does it show?
“Alone he row’d…alone be cast…groan’d and swore alone”
The repetition of alone intensifies his isolation from society - attempt to evoke pity/sympathy for Peter
