hotel room 12th floor Flashcards
“morning”
WC- establishes time of day.
“jumbo size dentists drill”
metaphor- empire state building symbolizes civilization and materialism- but its the pride of USA and American way of life- poet is attacking it.
“but”
WC-signals turning point, from light to dark literally and figuratively.
“now”
WC- sense of immediacy
“foreign places”
WC- has connotations of multi racial/cultural society- MacCaig is also in a foreign place- he does not feel safe
“watched”
shows he observed rather than take part- he is disconnected.
” a helicopter skirting like a damaged insect”
simile- emphasises the size of the empire state building- comparing the helicopter to a insect- unpleasant connotations- his attitude towards technology is negative.
“empire state building” “pan Am”
WC-real building- shows poets credibility- symbolises wealth and status- poet is not impressed by economic power.
“midnight has come in”
Metaphor-has connotations of evil and become an entity and invaded.
“uncivilised darkness”
WC-Has connotations of being uneducated and evil.
“shot at”
WC- Imagery of violence-Suggests crime-Links to Wild West-guns
“lit” “darkness”
contrast-‘Lit’ has connotations of goodness
Light vs dark
(light trying to fight off darkness)
“by a million lit windows, all ups and acrosses”
Metaphor/irony-
Window frames in the form of a cross- reference to Christ suffering+dying to save civilisation.
But it’s all a vain attempt to counteract evil
Shows that poet’s attitude-society is beyond redemption.
