Word Choice Flashcards
- “but less timid”
Gorillas aren’t known as timid animals, anyway, so this therefore reinforces and emphasises the extent of the cop’s brutality.
- “thick-fleshed”
Play on the cliche of ‘Thick-skinned’
Usually skin would be used to describe humans and ‘flesh’ for animals.
Animalistic connotations suggests the cop’s aggression and primitive tendencies.
- “steak - coloured”
Although this may be refering to the cop’s tan from working outside, “steak” Has connotations of violence, blood and savagery.
Steak is the by-product of animals, dominated and destroyed for the survival of mankind. Links back to the idea of survival of the fittest. Suggestive of the death and violence the cop has witnessed and survived.
- “See you, babe”
Cliche suggests lack of true emotion. Reinforces caveman like image of the cop.
- “honey”
These words are NOT a cliche to the cop. The contrast between this and the previous quote from him emphasises his sincerity and shows the contrast between the violence of his work and the loving nature of his domestic life.
This emphasises the stark CONTRAST between his outward appearance of brutality and his inner vulnerability and emotions.
- “plunge”
Emphasises downward movement. Perhaps indicative of how much MacCaig feels man has reverted to primitve instincts by behaving in this manner
- “violence”
The unusual idea of a “plunge” into an ABSTRACT NOUN grabs reader’s attention and emphasises the idea of brutality always bubbling under the surface.
- “clubbings”
Connotations of caveman-like savagery. Perhaps suggests that this is what MacCaig feels society has been reduced to.
- “gunshots”
Suggests modern violence. Time has moved on from “clubbings”, but man’s propensity for violence has not.
- “Phoebe’s Whamburger”
11. “Louie’s Place”
(10/11)
Use of titles/names of specific places makes the situation and violence more personal.
“wham” - onomatopoeia/idea of hitting forcefully.
(10/11)
Shows violences permeating everyday in American society and in situations - eateries full of people. Theses innocent people will be caught up in the violence.
- “gorilla with a nightstick”
Return of the “gorilla” image defuses any element of previous sympathy. No longer dilluted with “like” or “as”, as in the first stanza.
“nightstick” - police baton. This suggests a more ‘up close and personal’ sort of violence, primitive weaponry. “night” in other MacCaig poems, has connotations of violence and uncivilised behaviour.
- “home”
Connotations of safety and comfort, but the idea is that he may never return to it.
Sympathetic TONE appears genuine. He might not return, if he takes one step too many through the tissue of violence.
- “victims”
Connotations of innocence of those potentially harmed, or in harm’s way.
