The City Planners Flashcards
1
Q
Summarise the poem
A
Humans and society generally try to hide imperfections to fit in with others. Humans constantly need control but nature isn’t easily controllable.
2
Q
Why might have Atwood chosen to write it in free verse?
A
To rebel against the perfectionism of the City Planners and to be free from any restriction. She also might have done it to create a slightly chaotic and unpredictable atmosphere.
3
Q
Why might have Atwood written the poem?
A
To criticise the City Planners constant want for perfection and control. To celebrate imperfections and differences.
4
Q
How does Atwood create profound feelings of anger?
A
- By noting the mental illnesses caused by the City Planners
- “Smell of spilt oil a faint sickness lingering in the garages”
- “Lingering”- negative, haunting
- “faint”- underlying
- “in the garages”- male territory, patriarchal society
- Perfection is turning people insane
- Warns people if they stay in the suburbs they will go insane
