A Consumer's Report Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the form of He Never Expected Much by Peter Porter?
The poem is made of two stanzas and written in free verse with no regular metre or rhyme scheme.
Why does Porter use free verse in He Never Expected Much?
The free verse and prose-like style mimic the tone and structure of a consumer survey, reinforcing the idea that life is being evaluated like a product.
How does punctuation function in the poem?
Punctuation is used at the end of complete sentences, making it feel more like prose than traditional poetry.
What is the effect of the poem’s prose-like structure?
It mirrors a consumer report, reflecting how people view life through the lens of consumerism, stripping it of beauty and meaning.
How is the structure of the poem organised?
The poem consists of two stanzas: a short 3-line stanza followed by a longer stanza of 46 lines.
Why is the structural contrast between stanzas important?
The first stanza introduces the conceit—life as a product—while the second stanza expands on this satirical evaluation, encouraging deeper reflection on life and consumerism.
Who is implied to be the “listener” in He Never Expected Much?
The manufacturer—symbolically God—is implied to be the one who has “supplied” life, now being reviewed by the speaker.
What is the extended conceit used in the poem?
Life is metaphorically treated as a product being reviewed, which critiques modern attitudes shaped by consumer culture.
What kind of language does Porter use to reflect the realities of life?
He uses subjective language, expressing personal experiences and uncertainties.
Why is subjective language important in the poem?
It gives a personal tone, showing the speaker’s internal struggle with the meaning and quality of life.
How is life metaphorically described in He Never Expected Much?
As a product with “instructions” that are “fairly large” and difficult to follow.
What do the “instructions” metaphorically represent?
They reflect the speaker’s confusion in navigating life, and could also symbolise competing ideologies or religions that offer guidance but no clear answers.
What does the poem suggest about modern consumer culture?
That it has taken over people’s understanding of life, reducing it to something that must be evaluated, purchased, or justified like a commodity.
How does the speaker reflect on the urgency of consumerism?
Through rhetorical questions like “do we need it now?”—reminding us that the world existed long before consumerism took over.
What is the poet’s overall message in He Never Expected Much?
That treating life like a product empties it of meaning, and while the speaker accepts life’s flaws, he also critiques how consumerism has shaped our expectations of it.
