In The Snack Bar Flashcards

1
Q

“Cup capsizes”

A

Alliteration of harsh ‘c’ sound grabs our attention in the same way as the sound of the falling cup would in the cafe

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2
Q

“Slithering”

A

Has connotations of a snake movement which builds up the unpleasant atmosphere/attitude to what is happening

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3
Q

“Few heads” “crowded”

A

Contrast between ‘few’ and ‘crowded’ reveals that people are choosing not to look/get involved

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4
Q

“Trying”

A

Reveals that everyday tasks are a struggle for the man

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5
Q

“Slowly”

A

carefully and cautiously

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6
Q

“Levers”

A

Connotations of mechanical and effort again shows that everyday tasks are difficult for the man

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7
Q

“Looming over him”

A

Personification - his physical disability is something evil and separate from the man and has a negative effect on his life

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8
Q

“Stained belt less gaberdine”

A

He is unkempt and not well cared for this is part of the reason people ignore him

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9
Q

“Monstrous animal caught in a tent”

A

He is something trapped and angry and yet others are scared and isolating him

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10
Q

“The face not seen, bent down in a shadow under his cap”

A

There is mystery and uncertainty around the man which dehumanises him and isolates him from society

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11
Q

“Even on his feet he is staring at the floor”

A

A vulnerable character Creates sympathy in the reader as he is unable to look around him

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12
Q

“Scuffed and muddy”

A

Reinforced the idea that he is not cared for

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13
Q

“He stands”

A

This is on a separate line to emphasise what fear this is for the man which again emphasises how hard everyday life is for the man

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14
Q

“Fumbling”

A

Shows his difficulty in moving

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15
Q

“I want - to go to the - toilet”

A

Dashes used to emphasise his stutter and reveals his helplessness

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16
Q

“Give me - your arm - it’s better”

A

The man is now more confident In speaking up for himself as he is giving instructions the dashes show the difficulty and hesitation he has in speaking

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17
Q

“Inch by inch”

A

Reveals how slow moving the man is

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18
Q

“A few yards of floor are like a landscape”

A

Simile- the floor is an obstacle for the man which shows how huge an are it is for someone who struggles to walk

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19
Q

“Time has almost stopped”

A

The man is moving very slowly

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20
Q

“I concentrate my life to his:”

A

Key idea of the poem the speaker is trying to see the world from the blind man’s point of view

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21
Q

“Voices and laughter”

A

Highlights the man’s isolation

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22
Q

“Slow dangerous inches to the stairs”

A

Something as small as am inch is dangerous to a blind man

23
Q

“Clings”

A

WC shows the desperation of the man and the trust he has to place in the speaker

24
Q

“And slowly we go down. And slowly we go down.”

A

Repetition - motion of climbing the stairs and emphasises how slow moving they are

25
Q

“But”

A

The connective shows that despite the dark description the speaker does feel sympathy for the man

26
Q

“Old man’s apology for living”

A

Metaphor shows how miserable his life is

27
Q

“Painful ages to close his trousers and coat”

A

Even getting dressed is painful for the man but also painful for the speaker to watch this happening

28
Q

“Doubtfully, ‘can I - wash my hands?”

A

The stutter and the word doubtfully shows that the man is still unsure if he will get help highlights how often he has to ask for help everyday

29
Q

“Soft fingers”

A

In contrast to the previous description of the man and shows a more sympathetic side

30
Q

“Cannot rub them together”

A

His disability even extends to the ability to dry his hands he can’t use the air dryer due to the weakness in his hands

31
Q

“He climbs , we climb”

A

Repetition of climbs reveals just how much of a difficulty the stairs are

32
Q

“Undefeated which is the nature of man when all is said”

A

Key idea of the poem speaker admires the will to survive that is present in the man the tone changes from Pity to admiration

33
Q

“Slowly we go up. And slowly we go up”

A

Repetition emphasises the gradualness of the journey

34
Q

“Endless, yet not endless waste of floor.”

A

It seems endless due to his disability but it is not endless because the man will continue to walk until he is finished which shows his strength of character

35
Q

“I watch him helped on a bus.” “The conductor bends to hear”

A

The man continues to be helped by others as he goes on his journey and is always reliant on the kindness of others

36
Q

“Wherever he would go it would be dark”

A

Physical disability blindness but also refers to the lack of hope for the man things will not change for him

37
Q

“Yet he must trust men without embarrassment or shame”

A

The central theme of the poem the man who is already at a disadvantage must rely on other people all the time

38
Q

“No one sees his face”

A

People can’t see his face due to his disability but also because society chooses not to see his face to dehumanise him because he is weak and different

39
Q

“Evade”

A

Suggests a deliberate attempt to avoid the man by the majority of society

40
Q

“Rains of august”

A

Adds to dark and depressing mood

41
Q

“Dear Christ to be born for this!”

A

Links to teaching of Christ - shows the speaker questioning why people have to suffer and be treated in such a poor way by society

42
Q

“Low round stool fixed to the floor”

A

Detail- hard and uncomfortable, difficult for a disabled man to navigate

43
Q

“Drift”

A

Has connotations of slow and lack of purpose also reveals the patience of the speaker moving at the speed of the man

44
Q

“Probing”

A

WC reveals the man is careful and cautious

45
Q

“He shambles uncouth”

A

Links back to how the man walks (stanza one) the man is contrasted to the clean bathroom and highlights again how the man looks

46
Q

“Brooding reflection darkens”

A

Reflective and sad - emphasises the darkness and misery surrounding the man

47
Q

“Feebly patient”

A

Creates a feeling of pity the man’s disability has forced him to be patient but also needs others to be the same

48
Q

“Draw his hands gently”

A

Reveals how caring and helpful the speaker is

49
Q

“Contraption”

A

WC highlights the complexity and difficulty of the dryer for the man

50
Q

“Faltering unfaltering”

A

Use of contrasting words to show the struggle and strength of the man he is faltering physically but mentally he refuses to give up

51
Q

“At last”

A

Highlights the struggle and length of time it has taken

52
Q

“Announce” “public place”

A

The idea that the man must ‘advertise’ his weakness in order to get help puts him in a more vulnerable position than most people

53
Q

“Frightening he is in his strangeness”

A

Relates to the theme the fear of difference he needs help and yet other people are scared of him