Mr Bleany

Question 1

Summary of mr bleany

Answer 1

The poem starts with a landlady showing a new lodger the room that he will be hiring, and telling him who lived there before- Mr Bleaney.

The new lodger then takes over the narrative voice to reveal what he has learnt about Mr Bleaney.

Question 2

No hook behind the door, no room for books or bags -

Answer 2

Plossive alliertation
Listing
The lack of books, specifically, suggests a lack of knowledge or intellectual ability, as books are a representation of refinement.
The lack of bags then suggests that Mr Bleaney had no belongings, and a lack of bags also implies that he had no plans to move or leave- as people often have bags to move their belongings when they leave- suggesting that, despite the room being cramped it was Mr Bleaney’s permanent home.

Question 3

the frigid wind
tousling the clouds

Answer 3

Pathetic fallacy
Presents the outside world as hostile
He’s trapped, can’t leave, unchanging

Question 4

grinned,
and shivered, without shaking off the dread

Answer 4

Juxtaposition
He’s worried he’ll become mr bleany