In The Snack Bar

Question 1

Cup capsizes

Answer 1

The poem opens with alliteration ‘cup capsizes’ the word choice of ‘capsizes’ is an early indication of the sense of helplessness that will come up throughout the poem.

It is this sudden noise that first attracts the poets attention

Question 2

Clatter

Answer 2

The word ‘clatter’ further emphasises the noise of the cup when it is dropped

Question 3

A few heads turn

Answer 3

The identification of ‘a few heads turn’ highlights that very few people noticed what was going on in this busy cafe, also maybe a comment on how we often fail to notice important things in society

Question 4

Trying to get to his feet

Answer 4

Morgan begins to project the message of the poem here. The word ‘trying’ suggests that the old man is struggling to do the most simple of things to get on his feet

Question 5

Low round stool fixed to the floor

Answer 5

Morgan’s description of the ‘low round stool fixed to the floor’ empathises the fact that the cafe is not designed to make life easy for the disabled. The fixed stool is difficult to move and get off

Question 6

Levers

Answer 6

The word choice of ‘levers’ shows that everything the man does takes a huge amount of effort

Question 7

His hands have no power

Answer 7

The expression ‘hands have no power’ likens him to a machine that is broken

Question 8

Dismal hump

Answer 8

Personification is used here to explain the way the mans hunched back (the ‘dismal hump’) pushes him down physically and leaves him feeling upset and vulnerable

Question 9

Stained beltless gaberdine

Answer 9

The poet builds a sense of revulsion at the man through the description of his dirty clothes and untidy appearance

Question 10

Like a monstrous animal caught in a tent in some story

Answer 10

The simile used here compares the man to an ‘animal caught in a tent’ this makes him sound like a kind of circus attraction or a monster. The sense that he appeared ‘in some story’ makes him seen beyond our understanding. All of this adds to the sense he is like a monster

Question 11

Face not seen

Answer 11

This is a powerful line. His face is not seen because it’s pointed downwards, yet it is also not seen because many choose not to see it

Question 12

If he could see

Answer 12

The poet reveals further details of his disability suggesting that he is also blind

Question 13

Once painted white

Answer 13

He carries a white stick has he is blind, but the fact that it is so scuffed and muddy suggests that nobody is looking after him or helping him

Question 14

Long blind, hunchback born, half paralysed

Answer 14

The poet gives a list of the disabilities that affects the man, building to the fact that he is ‘half paralysed’ the list helps to empathise just how difficult his life must be

Question 15

He stands

Answer 15

The structure here and the single line ‘he stands’ emphasises his determination despite the difficulties that he is faced with. There is a sense of defiance here

Question 16

I want - to go to the - toilet

Answer 16

Despite this, he must announce his most basic needs to strangers in a public place. This is both humiliating and degrading for him

Question 17

Down two flights of stairs, but we go

Answer 17

The fact that the toilet is down ‘two flights of stairs’ once again highlights how difficult life is for the man because of his disabilities. He must rely on the poet to help him

Question 18

Inch by inch we drift

Answer 18

The poets word choice helps to empathise how slowly they make their way through the cafe. It is done ‘inch by inch’ suggesting shuffling steps while the word ‘drift’ indicates that it is not a straight path

Question 19

A few yards of floor are like a landscape

Answer 19

The poet goes on to describe how the floor of the cafe becomes ‘like a landscape’ which once again highlights how even the most simple tasks require great effort from the man

Question 20

Slow…time has almost stopped

Answer 20

The slow pace of the man is explored when the poet states that time has almost stopped, suggesting how long it takes for him to move. Morgan also suggests that he must give the man his full attention in this moment

Question 21

Crunch of split sugar

Answer 21

The following section of the poem sees Morgan use description of the senses to examine how the cafe is full of potential hazards to the blind man.

Here he uses both onomatopoeia and sibilance

Question 22

table edges, people’s feet, hiss of the coffee machine, voices and laughter, smell of a cigar, hamburgers, wet coats steaming, and the slow dangerous inches to the stairs

Answer 22

The list that follows of seemingly everyday sights, sounds and smells of the cafe take on a new meaning when you imagine how they would be understood by the man as he makes ‘the slow dangerous’ journey to the stairs

Question 23

clings

Answer 23

The word choice of ‘clings’ indicates that the man is putting total trust in Morgan and is holding on tightly to him for protection.

This word also implies the danger that is involved in this journey to the bathroom

Question 24

I guide his arm and tell him the steps. And slowly we go down. And slowly we go down

Answer 24

The poet takes charge and guides the man like a parent teaching a child to walk.

The repetition of ‘and slowly we go down’ indicates just how slowly each step is taken

Question 25

White tiles and mirrors

Answer 25

The description of the ‘white tiles and mirrors’ indicates a change in the setting and highlights how fresh the toilet of the cafe appears in contrast to the man

Question 26

Uncouth into the clinical gleam

Answer 26

The poet creates a contrast here. He contrasts the dirty and untidy appearance of the man with the ‘clinical’ and clean toilet.

This helps to make his disabilities and his struggle even clearer

Question 27

Brooding reflection darkens the mirror

Answer 27

The word choice of ‘brooding’ suggests that the man is reflective and sad and the suggestion that it darkens and the misery that seems to surround the man and his daily struggle to live

Question 28

Apology for living

Answer 28

The poet uses a bitter tone in these lines to depict the struggle that the man must endure simply to survive

Question 29

Painful ages

Answer 29

The word choice of ‘painful ages once again highlights the slow speed of the mans movements.

In contrast to our own fast paced lives, we see how difficult life is for the man

Question 30

Doubtfully

Answer 30

The mans pitiful position is made clear by Morgan as he is forced to ask permission to do the most simple things, relying on the kindness and patience of other people he also requires a great deal of help in the most private of tasks