Visiting hour quotes Flashcards
“Bobbing along”
Has a humorous tone.
Has connotations of lack of directions.
Hints feelings of seasickness
“What seems a corpse”
First mention of death.
Definite ship towards tone and atmosphere.
“I will not feel, I will not feel, until I have to.”
MacCaig struggles to control his feelings and attempts to shut them down until the last possible moment.
“here and up and down and there”
Syntax
They are constantly moving around and he is impressed by their apparently boundless energy.
“Ward 7.”
Ward 7 is emphasised by this pause
“White cave of forgetfulness”
Metaphor
Darkness
Suggests her state of mind
The poet compares the white curtain surrounding her bed to a cave
“A withered hand trembles on its stalk”
Imagery
Comparing her arm and hand to a dying flower
Suggests she’s weak
“not guzzling but giving”
Alliteration
Implication that she is very close to death and is relying on what the gang is providing her with
To stay alive the woman must suffer with the metaphorical bite of medical equipment.
“Fruitless fruits”
He has only suffered and his wife doesn’t even know who he is
The fruit will never be eaten gives a strong indication that she will die soon after
