Quotations & Analysis: Stanza One Flashcards
How does McCaig use structure in “to stub” and “to have” to affect the reader? (Stanza 1)
The phrase “to stub” and “to have” use infinitive verbs, which capture the reader’s attention.
How does McCaig use imagery in the phrase “on a rock” to describe what he encounters? (Stanza 1)
McCaig uses a metaphor which compares the shark to a rock - being bulky/solid, without feeling or intelligence.
This fully encapsulates the prejudice description of who the shark really is as it is introduced to the poem.
How does McCaig use the word choice of “slounge” to describe the seas nature, and the movement of the shark?
“Slounge” is a use of onomatopoeia and it refers to the noise of the waves, along with the clumsy movement of the shark based on it’s immense weight.
How does the word choice of “rise” characterize the shark in this situation?
The word choice of “rise” suggests the shark is in charge, and is dominant within the situation.
How does the poet use structure to make light of the situation through the phrase “once (too often)”?
The phrase “once (too often)” shows that although the poet is frightened, he tries to inject humour (through parenthesis) to make light of the situation.
Describe the events of the first stanza.
In the first stanza, McCaig described the rare meeting with the shark and makes it clear it has happened before.
