The Ferryman's Arms Flashcards
“drawn, like a moth, to the darkened back room”
This links to death as the moth is moving towards the light, moving towards death. The fact that this is against his will highlights the theme of the inevitability of death. It also introduces the fragility of life in comparison to the delicate moth.
“I left him there, stuck in his tent of light, sullenly knocking the balls in for next time”
The negative word choice of the winner being left behind indicates that being the winner may not always be a positive thing. The tent of light is a metaphor for life and he is ‘stuck’ in it rather than being happy there.
“the black did the vanishing trick before gently rolling back as if nothing had happened, shouldering its way through the unpotted colours”
The word choice of ‘vanishing trick’ suggests the ball’s sudden disappearance which links to the unpredictability of death.
The metaphor compares the literal pocketing of the ball to the life of the player ending. The green felt represents life and the inner mechanics represent death.
The division between the colours suggests the duality of life and death.
The white ball represents the continuation of life after a loss and the word choice of ‘shouldering’ suggests the struggles that come with it.
“half-pint of Guinness”
Links to the duality of life and death. The white represents life and the black represents death. They are two halves of a whole; two parts of the same thing.
“with ten minutes to kill”
This adds to the sense of duality which links to the inescapability of death. It suggests that as he has ten minutes to pass, those ten minutes will be killing him in the sense that he will be ten minutes closer to death.
“dusty green cowl”
The metaphor links to the hooded grim reaper readying himself to take another soul. Links to the omnipresence of death.
“the boat chugged up to the little stone jetty without breaking the skin of the water”
The second stanza shifts to a new location. Creates a mysterious and ominous tone.
The personification of the water suggests the fragility of human life.
The boat appears to be floating above the water which gives it a supernatural quality, linking it to the pool table.
“from somewhere unspeakable to here, where the foaming lip mussitates endlessly”
The word choice of ‘somewhere unspeakable’ continues the eerie feeling and suggests that it is physically impossible or painful to utter the name.
The sibilance in these words adds to the idea as they are almost hissed making it sound like the ferry has arrived from somewhere dangerous or otherworldly.
The metaphor ‘foaming lip’ links the Guinness and the shoreline together and recalls the theme of duality. The blackness of the water links it to deaths and suggests the boundary between life and death.
The sibilance in ‘mussitates endlessly’ evokes the sound of the sea and corresponds with other soft sounds in the poem. They are like death - omnipresent in life.
“I stood with my back turned”
The word choice contributes to the unsettling mood and gives the idea that he is not alone.
It suggests that he is unaware of death’s plans and that we are often unprepared for the opportunities that life gives you and that death can come up on you by surprise.
