Para 3 - word choice and imagery (nurses)

Question 1

Point

Answer 1

Additionally, MacCaig presents hospitals as a place which put a great deal of emotional stress on their staff by using word choice and imegary” The fourth stanza of “Visiting hour” is focused on the nurses within the hospital and their ability to keep going despite the emotional stress their job puts them through.

Question 2

Quote 1 + analysis

Answer 2

The quote “their slender waists miraculously carrying their burden of so much pain” suggests that the speaker is in awe of the nurses as they are able to cope with the emotional difficulties their job brings despite looking dainty and delicate. He wishes that he was able to do this because he is finding it hard to come to terms with his loved one dying.

Question 3

Quote 2 + analysis

Answer 3

In addition, “their eyes still clear after so many farewells” is a metaphor which puts emphasis on the nurses ability to cope with the emotional difficulties their job brings as it suggests that they are able to carry on despite the pain and grief they experience daily.

Question 4

Repetition of “so”

Answer 4

In this stanza the word “so” is repeated many times in quotes such as, “so much pain”, “so many deaths”, and “so many farewells”, which enforces the severity of the emotional stress that nurses job in hospitals put on them because they have say goodbye to their beloved patients so often.