Visiting Hour Flashcards
What are the themes
Death, loss, relationships
How does the poem display contrast
Speaker vs Patient
-in particular the final stanza
How does the poem display loss
The speaker is losing a loved one to death
How does it display suffering
MacCaig is distressed as he’s about to lose someone and the patient is in pain
How does the poem display relationships
The speaker and the patient/ life and death
How does it display character and surroundings
The speaker, patient, nurses and the hospital
Contrast Quotes
“A withered hand trembles on it’s stalk”
“Into an arm wasted of colour a glass fang is fixed, not guzzling but giving”
“Books that will not be read and fruitless fruits”
“Into an arm wasted of colour a glass fang is fixed, not guzzling but giving”
Metaphor comparing drip to a vampire. Suggests speakers negative mindset. Highlights idea of weakness compared to his strength
W.C “wasted” suggests drained of health
Loss Quotes
“What seems a corpse”
“A withered hand trembles on its stalk”
“Vanishes heavenward”
What seems a corpse
W.C morbid, depressive, death. Shows negative mindset and the thought of losing his loved one is on his mind
“A withered hand trembles on its stalk”
Metaphor compare loved ones arm to dying flower. Patient is weak and fragile and used to be a bloomed flower.
W.C “withered” “stalk” suggest weakness, contrast to strong speaker
“Vanishes heavenward”
W.C suggests never coming back, relates hospital lift to death which shows speakers mindset
Enjambment emphasises finality of death
