visiting hour

Question 1

“combs”

Answer 1

personification indicates the invasive and harsh smell. It’s strong and stings the persona’s nostrils, making it clear how unpleasant this experience is for him.

Question 2

“trundled”

Answer 2

word choice indicates indignity with which hospitals treat death. lifeless and graceless movement demonstrate negative attitude.

Question 3

I will not feel, I will not
feel, until
I have to.

Answer 3

“I have to”: simple sentence show they knows that the feelings that follow are inevitable, just as death is.

Question 4

carrying their burden
of so much pain, so
many deaths, their eyes
still clear after
so many farewells.

Answer 4

repetition so- emphasises amount of pain

Question 5

white cave of forgetfulness.

Answer 5

metaphor – implies the white curtains around her bed act as a barrier and she is isolated from others. white- positive blissully unaware of pain of those around her

Question 6

glass fang

Answer 6

metaphor suggests that the medical drip is like a vampire, adding to the sense of fear the persona for hospital visit.

Question 7

“black figure”

Answer 7

word choice - her vision is clouded by her illness, she cannot clearly see the persona who has visited her. connotations death, covered in a black cloak, waits for her and she may be relieved its coming

Question 8

books that will not be read

and fruitless fruits.

Answer 8

enjambment – isolation that both persona and patient feel. oxymoron captures the persona’s despair, as the lady’s prolonged illness- and he is powerless. The fruits he brings useless, therefore fruitless.