Divisions Revision

Question 1

What three types of divisions could the title of Divisions be referring to?

Answer 1

1. Division between past and present. 2. Division between subject and speaker. 3. The humorous divisions in football and their supporters.

Question 2

Both sections of Divisions are written in what poetical form?

Answer 2

Sonnet

Question 3

What rhyme scheme does Divisions use in both sections?

Answer 3

Alternate rhyming couplets

Question 4

What rhythm is mostly used throughout Divisions?

Answer 4

Iambic pentameter

Question 5

All _____ in tight clothes and skinhead crops.’

Answer 5

Aggro

Question 6

Aggro’ ‘tight’ and ‘skinhead crops’ present the subject of section one of Divisions as what?

Answer 6

Intimidating

Question 7

The subjects of section one of Divisions can be linked to what social/historical context?

Answer 7

Skinhead cultue of the late 60s/early 70s

Question 8

When was skinhead culture dominant in England?

Answer 8

Late 60s/early 70s

Question 9

Skinheads were often linked to which political movement?

Answer 9

Far Right/National Front

Question 10

How does the speaker feel about being considered to be on the dole like them?

Answer 10

Relief

Question 11

That mask of ‘________’ drops.

Answer 11

Manhood

Question 12

What does the dropping of the ‘mask of manhood’ suggest about the subjects?

Answer 12

Their identity is false. That there is a degree of vulnerability to them.

Question 13

Their _______ _______ lay bare a soul.’

Answer 13

Decorated skins

Question 14

Why does Harrison suggest their skins ‘lay bare a soul’?

Answer 14

He is suggesting they have an inner care or yearning for belonging.

Question 15

What has potentially caused the subjects loss of identity in Divisions?

Answer 15

The loss of skilled labour in working class towns in the post-war period.

Question 16

What is the excessive use of plosives in stanza two of Divisions meant to represent? ‘bravado’ ‘numbs’ ‘blood’ ‘blues’

Answer 16

The aggressive nature of the subjects.

Question 17

Teenage ____ - ______ piss up, then tattoos.’

Answer 17

dole-wallah

Question 18

Why does Harrison use caesura in ‘teenage dole-wallah pissup, then tattoos’?

Answer 18

He’s mocking their behaviour and the casual nature with which they move drunkenly to permanently marking their body.

Question 19

Why does Harrison make repeated reference to Brown Ale?

Answer 19

It grounds the poem in the reality of the working class. Both in terms of drunken behaviour and trade giving a town its identity.

Question 20

The use of ‘MOTHER’ presents the subject as having an inner desire for…?

Answer 20

love

Question 21

How can ‘blood red and true blues’ be linked to context?

Answer 21

It links them to the nationalist beliefs of skinhead culture.

Question 22

Why is the ‘North-East skin so sunless white?’

Answer 22

It creates an image of a lack of hope for the town, perhaps showing the speaker sympathising with the subject.

Question 23

What is the dual meaning of ‘rash’ in section 1, stanza 3?

Answer 23

Rash - quick decision. Rash - an irritant.

Question 24

How does the use of ellipsis in ‘he’ll aerosol the walls, then go get pissed…’ make the subject’s behaviour seem?

Answer 24

Meaningless and pointless.

Question 25

But most of all I hope for ______ for all of you.'

Answer 25

jobs

Question 26

Why does the speaker wish for the subject to find jobs in Divisions section 1?

Answer 26

Because he believes it will bring them a sense of purpose and identity.

Question 27

Why does the writer use monosyllables in the line 'But most I hope for jobs for all of you -'?

Answer 27

It emphasises the issues of unemployment and also makes his hope for them seem simple.

Question 28

Why does the speaker return to the football team in the final line of the first section?

Answer 28

To reemphasise the distance between the two.

Question 29

Why does the speaker end the first section of the poem with a humorous remark about football?

Answer 29

Reminding the reader that he is both mocking their behaviour as well as sympathising with them.

Question 30

The humorous remark about their 'tattooed team get[ting] relegated' suggests what about the future of the subject?

Answer 30

That there are still times of strife ahead for them.

Question 31

The second section of Divisions is set where?

Answer 31

Ashington

Question 32

the town's two England caps' references which two people?

Answer 32

Bobby and Jackie Charlton

Question 33

Why does Harrison downplay the significance of place in the first stanza of Divisions?

Answer 33

He's showing how the town has been left behind in the post-war period

Question 34

The use of sibilance in 'shovelblade and stone' emphasises what about the setting in the poem?

Answer 34

Poverty

Question 35

the daylight's rotten props near to collapse' is a reference to which historical event?

Answer 35

Post-industrial decline brought about by political issues such as Thatcher's government.

Question 36

When did Margaret Thatcher become leader of the Conservative Party?

Answer 36

1975

Question 37

In 1952 manufacturing in Britain employed how much of the work force?

Answer 37

40%

Question 38

Today in Britain, manufacturing employs how much fo the work force?

Answer 38

8%

Question 39

Why does Harrison focus on a poster for Haemorrhoid cream?

Answer 39

To depict the grim reality of working-class life

Question 40

Of this pub for _______ and ________.'

Answer 40

pensioners and unemployed.

Question 41

What is the effect of the imagery of 'pensioners' and 'unemployed'?

Answer 41

It creates an image of stagnation and perhaps even death in the town.

Question 42

What are some of the cliché's used in the third sestet of section 2?

Answer 42

butch Brown Ale' 'hair on your chest' 'makes you fight' 'makes a man of you'

Question 43

Why does Harrison use such cliches in the third sestet of stanza 2?

Answer 43

It is pointing out that capitalism that has removed their masculine purpose is ironically focusing on ideas of 'masculinity' to sell its product.

Question 44

How do the final two single line stanzas increase the idea of division?

Answer 44

By highlighting how he is different from them. He 'write[s]' and is looked down upon for it.

Question 45

one front door _______ in a row all blue!'

Answer 45

orange

Question 46

What is the effect of the colour imagery in the final line of divisions?

Answer 46

It symbolises his separation and inability to fit in with the class he once belonged.

Question 47

What biographical context might be a reason for Harison feeling divided from his class? (Divisions)

Answer 47

His attendance of grammar schools.