Poetry - Norman MacCaig Flashcards
What are some quotes in Aunt Julia?
-“I could not answer her, I could not understand her” (repetition)
Emphasises frustration MacCaig felt at not being able to understand her
-“Men’s boots” (word choice) Julia was a practical woman, suited her hard daily work.
-“She was buckets and water flouncing into them” (imagery)
emphasise the high energy and vigour that Julia went about her daily tasks. ‘flouncing’ suggests she was full of passion and life.
What is the theme of aunt Julia?
Isolation caused by language barriers
What is theme of Assisi?
-Outward appearance vs inner beauty (appearances can be deceptive)
-Poverty
What are some quotes in Assisi?
-‘clucking contentedly…the Word.’: (metaphor) compare
tourists to mindless chickens,
sees them as brainless as they accept everything the priest says
without questioning it
-“Tiny twisted legs”: (Alliteration)
used to draw attention to beggar’s
unpleasant/shocking deformities.
-‘a voice…child’s’: suggests
that he believes the beggar is a
very innocent and kind person despite his alarming appearance.
What are the themes of Hotel room 12th floor?
-The violent side of human nature
-Poverty
-Materialism
What is some quotes from Hotel room 12th floor?
-“jumbo size dentist’s drill” comparison to a “dentist’s drill” suggests the enormity of the empire state building makes
MacCaig feel nervous and uneasy
-“Coldwater flats” apartments with no running hot water, reminder that despite New York’s appearance as a glamorous
place, there is also severe poverty hidden behind closed doors.
-“not so easily defeated” The poet is suggesting that no matter what
tactics society might use to keep the ‘dark’ (violent) side of humanity under control, will always continue to lurk beneath the surface. We cannot change who we are.
What are the themes of basking shark?
-Outward appearances can be misleading.
-Evolution.
What are some quotes from basking shark?
-“the thought made me grow pale”
(word choice) MacCaig was startled by the shark, but he is even more disturbed by his idea that humans are the real
threat – even if they may look more civilised than the shark.
-“To stub an oar on a rock”
(imagery) MacCaig compares the shark to a rock as they are both smooth and grey, and this is what he thinks the shark is at first.
-“matchbox brain” (imagery) This metaphor creates a contrast
between the enormous size of the
shark and its complete lack of
intelligence.
What are the themes of Visiting hour?
-The fear of losing a loved one
-Isolation
What are some quotes from Visiting hour?
-“I will not feel, I will not feel…”
(repetition)The poet repeats this phrase to try and convince himself that he can remain emotionally strong and not become upset in front of his loved one.
-“distance of pain” (imagery)Just as physical distance separates
people and makes it difficult to
communicate, so does the suffering of both MacCaig and his loved one feels as if it is breaking down the relationship between them.
-“white cave” (imagery)The curtain pulled around the patient’s bed seems to isolate her as if in a cave. The colour white brings to mind heaven/the white light people some believe is seen as death approaches.
What are the themes of Brooklyn Cop?
-The violent side of humanity.
-Appearances can be deceptive.
What are some quotes from Brooklyn Cop?
-“Built like a gorilla” (imagery)
Compares the police officer to a gorilla, suggesting not only that he is a big, muscular man but also perhaps that he is intimidating, like an ape.
-“…he hoped it, he truly hoped it” (repetition) Emphasises how real and sincere the man’s wish to
return home safely is and is genuinely afraid for his life every time he leaves for work and wishes he will return safely home to his wife at the end of his shift.
What poems link with the theme being Isolation?
Visiting hour and Aunt Julia
What poems link with the theme of appearances can be deceptive?
Brooklyn Cop,Basking Shark and Assisi
What poems link with the theme of poverty?
Hotel room 12th floor and Assisi
