Brooklyn Cop Flashcards
(22 cards)
Built like a gorilla
Simile - emphasises the size and strength of the cop and uses a cliched description of power.
but less timid
Humor- gorilla’s are not considered a timid animal, therefore MacCaig is highlighting how imposing and impressive the cop is.
thick-fleshed
Double meaning/cliché - shows he is strong enough to withstand the emotional strain of the job, and so emphasises his hard, rough personality.
steak-coloured
cliché used to further develop the impressive, animalistic appearance of the cop. He is a scary sight to behold and word choice suggests he is ‘meaty’ and therefore tough like a steak.
two hieroglyphs in his face that mean trouble
‘Hieroglyphs’ are symbols that were written in stone and used in Ancient Egypt for communication. This metaphor suggests that the cop’s face is like stone, unchanging, and that his eyes are carved into it. This suggests he has a mean look that scares people.
walks the sidewalk
Repetition creates an impression like a pun. This phrase suggests that he is as impressive as he looks, and that his experience is proof of his skill/strength.
thin tissue over violence
Metaphor - effectively conveys the fragile state of life on the streets and suggests that violence is never far away. Violence could begin as easily as a tissue could tear. Shows the thin and fragile line between peace and chaos.
This morning
Word choice - emphasises that this is a daily concern he faces which introduces the human aspect of the cop.
“See you, babe”
Cliched phrase - suggests affection, although it’s not overly intimate. This provides contrast between his outward display of emotions and his internal fears.
he hoped it, he truly hoped it
Repetition emphasises the uncertainty and the fear he feels as he is facing immense danger everyday. Word choice of ‘truly’ shows the sincerity of his wish.
He is a gorilla
Metaphor, like earlier comparisons, however enjambment creates a deeper meaning to this image as it suggests that he has feelings as well as physical strength.
“Hiya, honey” is no cliché
‘no cliché’ is contradiction to the initial impressions that we get of the cop. ‘Honey’ is sweet, suggesting that every time the cop come home, he is relieved and happy to be home, showing he treasures his wife and his safety.
Should
Repetition - emphasises the uncertainty of each day’s events and the dangers that he faces.
tissue tear
Alliteration makes a ripping sound, suggesting how fast the calm of the community could be disrupted. Metaphor - effectively conveys the fragile state of life on the streets and suggests that violence is never far away. Violence could begin as easily as a tissue could tear. Shows the thin and fragile line between peace and chaos.
plunge through into violence
word choice of ‘plunge’ suggests falling uncontrollably. Shows how easily the brutality of the city life in Brooklyn could take over and there would be nothing that he could do to stop it. Word choice of ‘violence’ is an ambiguous term that suggests physical danger.
what clubbing’s, what gunshots
Word choice - emphasises the physical dangers and shows exactly what the cop has to face on a daily basis. This creates a feeling of sympathy in the reader, and fear in the cop.
gorilla with a nightstick
Metaphor - now verges on insult as his humanity is being highlighted through the poem.
he might, this time, never get back to?
Parenthesis indicates that the risks that the cop faces daily could get him killed.
Who would be him, gorilla with a nightstick,
whose home is a place
he might, this time, never get back to?
This stanza is a rhetorical question, which invites the reader to understand that the life of the cop is not one that people would willingly do. To risk their life in the line of duty and possibly never be able to return home to his wife.
have to be
The use of imperative word choice here suggests that there will always be people who encounter such men who, in their need to protect themselves and others, may inflict pain on people.
victims
Word choice counters the notion of cops as public defenders who are employed to ‘protect and serve’, but rather suggests that this cop may inflict serious, or even fatal injury.
And who would be who have to be his victims?
Another rhetorical question suggests that due to the high pressure nature of the job, people will get hurt by this man.
