Assisi

Question 1

Dwarf

Answer 1

Word choice has connotations of reduced and very small. This suggests the beggar is disadvantaged which evokes sympathy

Question 2

Hands on backwards

Answer 2

Metaphor compares a beggar that is disabled to a non-functional doll. This dehumanises the beggar and suggests that he is physically deformed which evokes sympathy and discomfort

Question 3

Slumped

Answer 3

Word choice suggests his inability to support himself and sit upright

Question 4

Like a half-filled sack

Answer 4

Simile dehumanises the beggar and suggests the weakness and lifelessness that he portrays

Question 5

Tiny twisted legs

Answer 5

Metaphor compares the beggar to a broken puppet. This suggests he is fragile and empty

Question 6

Outside three tiers of churches

Answer 6

Symbolism suggests the grand church represents wealth and hypocrisy compared to the poor beggar outside

Question 7

In honour of St Francis

Answer 7

Irony - St Francis is supposed to represent kindness, yet the beggar is being ignored. Instead of helping the poor, the church is trying to make money

Question 8

Advantage of not being dead yet

Answer 8

Irony - bitter commentary on the beggar’s horrific living condition suggests that the only thing he has over St Francis is life, yet he might not have it for much longer

Question 9

Cleverness

Answer 9

Word choice suggests smugness and superficial pride in religious art - not true compassion

Question 10

I understood the explanation

Answer 10

Tone is sarcastic. This suggests MacCaig sees through the priest’s empty words and lies

Question 11

Tourists, clucking contentedly

Answer 11

Metaphor compares tourists to chickens which suggests they are mindlessly consuming the sight and are happy to be led by others - blind to reality

Question 12

Ruined temple outside

Answer 12

Metaphor compares the beggar to a ruined temple. This suggests he was once valued and sacred but now is abandoned

Question 13

Eyes wept pus

Answer 13

Grotesque metaphor forces the reader to confront the reality of suffering by comparing the flow of infection from the beggar’s eyes to tears. This suggests the huge amount of suffering that the beggar experiences

Question 14

Whose eyes wept pus, whose back was higher than his head, whose lopsided mouth

Answer 14

List emphasises the variety of deformities that the beggar has which is shocking which evokes sympathy

Question 15

Voice as sweet

Answer 15

Contrast has an unexpected quality due to its position immediately after the list of disabilities which serves to emphasise subject’s innocence and virtue