Tony Harrison Flashcards
National Trust to Marked with D
National Trust quotes + analysis
“Flayed, grey, mad and dumb” Listing amplifies suffering and could symbolise the exploitation of the working class.
“Gentlemen who silenced the men’s oath.” Motif of silenced WC in Harrison’s poetry - WC had their language and identity stolen
“Dumb go down in history” People who are denied of a voice are left out of history, done by UC clinging onto elite status
“Killed the language they swore in” Emotive language conveys Harrison’s anger at the UC abuse of power
“Brought to book” UC have never been held accountable
Them & [uz] quotes + analysis
“Barbarian” shows the prejudices against the WC and how they are often labelled as uncivilised by society
“Speech of kings” Implies that poetry itself is only meant to be read/spoken by UC
“Lousy leasehold poetry” Metaphor for how poetry has been temporarily dominated by UC but “LEASEHOLD” would allow WC to take it
“Used my name and my own voice” Statement of intent, monosyllabic tone is reminiscent of Harrison’s determination to write poetry that “communicates directly”
“Made Tony Anthony!” Ironic and exasperated tone. Establishment is still trying to change him, highlights that breaking down class barriers is not easy
Divisions quotes + analysis
“They think that like themselves I’m on the dole” Pronouns highlight the separation between Harrison and the WC. Colloquial language challenges highbrow of poetry
“Their decorated skins lay bare a soul” Humanises the ‘skins’ and suggests their tattoos are a work of art OR the tattoos are a facade that hides the men’s vulnerability
“Daylight’s rotten props near to collapse” Alludes to 1980s miners strikes and how the mines are “collapse[ing]” due to Thatcher’s politics. Could also be a metaphor for imminent darkness
“Unambiguously ‘male’” Toxic masculine culture amongst WC/Skins
“One front door orange in a row all blue” Metaphor for how Harrison feels estranged from the WC/ his WC heritage
Working quotes + analysis
“Eggshell” Humanity reduced to fledge-like vulnerability, she’s too fragile for capitalist exploitation
“You’re lost in a sonnet for the bourgeoise” Pathos and Harrison is questioning the value of poetry - he is too distanced from the WC to articulate her experience
“Wherever hardship held its tongue” Those who are oppressed cannot speak out due to disenfranchisement - motif of silence
“Underneath too long to stand the light” She’s condemned to the darkness of disregard, alludes to the fact the exploited are left out of history
“Sunless white” Uses light imagery to convey her deprivation
Marked with D quotes + analysis
“Cataracts ablaze with heaven” metaphor for how his parents were full of passion. Light imagery represents religion and highlights how his parents didn’t rebel against society due to their religion
“My daily bread” Alludes to Lord’s prayer but Harrison gets his bread from Earth and has no need for God
“Tongue that weighed like lead” Simile and reveals how his father was unable to speak due to marginalisation
“Feel like some dull oaf” Simile for how society made him feel inadequate because he was WC. Protests societal views about WC
“Enough to sting one person’s eyes” Lack of emotion because of gulf between Harrison and his parents/WC
