POETRY | The Class Game

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

• Mary Casey, a Liverpool housewife, contributed four poems to ‘Voices’ poetry magazine.
• The magazine published ‘The Class Game’ in 1979.
• Post-war Britain was divided in class, with a wealth gap between working and upper and middle classes.
• ‘Voices’ published working-class poets without professional reputation.
• The magazine focused on everyday life experiences, with critics claiming it had no literary merit.

Question 2

Language

Answer 2

• Utilizes Liverpudlian slang and informal tone to relate to working class. [“Olly in me mouth”]
• Rejects traditional, grammatical English in poetry to reclaim art form.
• Colloquialisms highlight social class differences.

Question 3

Form

Answer 3

• Reflects “simple” way of life for working class.
• Uses half rhyme to challenge stereotypical views of working classes.
• Creates regular beat, evoking argument.
• Relates to “game” element in poem’s title.
• Rhyme and rhythm suggest lightheartedness.

Question 4

Structure

Answer 4

• Uses enjambment in lines like “Or did I drop my unemployment card” and “Sitting on your patio.”
• Creates an informal, conversational tone, engaging the reader.

Question 5

Structure 2

Answer 5

• Poem is one long stanza segmented by “How can you tell what class I’m from?”
• One stanza makes it sound like a rant
• Structure reflects poet’s argument against classist labeling and living in a classist society.
• Reflects the need for a progressive society.