Norman MacCaigNorman MacCaig

S5 PoetryS5 Poetry

Good Morning S5!Good Morning S5!

In today’s lesson we will…In today’s lesson we will…

Practice textual analysis.Practice textual analysis. Study MacCaig’s poem ‘Visiting Hour’.Study MacCaig’s poem ‘Visiting Hour’. Talk about word choice, sentence Talk about word choice, sentence

structure, mood and atmosphere.structure, mood and atmosphere.

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

UnderstandingUnderstanding

After reading through the poem, write down After reading through the poem, write down what you think is happening in the poem.what you think is happening in the poem.

Themes Themes

Do you notice any themes at this stage?Do you notice any themes at this stage?

Stanza 1Stanza 1

How does the poet help us be there with How does the poet help us be there with him, in our minds?him, in our minds?

What do the lines “The hospital smell…What do the lines “The hospital smell…bobbing along.” tell us about the effect of bobbing along.” tell us about the effect of the hospital smell on the poet?the hospital smell on the poet?

What are the connotations of the colours What are the connotations of the colours green and yellow in this context?green and yellow in this context?

Stanza 1Stanza 1 The poet is making his way along the hospital corridor to The poet is making his way along the hospital corridor to

ward 7 where his seriously ill relative lies.ward 7 where his seriously ill relative lies. In stanza 1, the scene is set by reference to the poet’s In stanza 1, the scene is set by reference to the poet’s

senses.senses. The ‘hospital smell’ is typical of most peoples experience The ‘hospital smell’ is typical of most peoples experience

of hospitals.of hospitals. The poet creates mood through his word choice – The poet creates mood through his word choice –

“combs my nostrils.”“combs my nostrils.” Suggests the smell is so pungent and unpleasant to him Suggests the smell is so pungent and unpleasant to him

that it reaches right up into his nose hairs.that it reaches right up into his nose hairs. ““green…yellow” suggests colours of vomit, pus – again green…yellow” suggests colours of vomit, pus – again

emphasises his discomfort and unpleasantness of visit.emphasises his discomfort and unpleasantness of visit.

Stanza 1Stanza 1

SYNECDOCHESYNECDOCHE Lines 2/3 “nostrils…bobbing along”Lines 2/3 “nostrils…bobbing along” Of course his whole body is moving along Of course his whole body is moving along

the corridor – not just his nostrils.the corridor – not just his nostrils. The synecdoche focuses attention on the The synecdoche focuses attention on the

nostrils in order to strengthen the idea of nostrils in order to strengthen the idea of the hospital smell being so overpowering, the hospital smell being so overpowering, all other senses are blocked out.all other senses are blocked out.

Stanza 2Stanza 2

““What seems a What seems a corpsecorpse

is is trundledtrundled into a lift and into a lift and vanishesvanishes

heavenwardheavenward.”.”

What do the words in bold tell you about What do the words in bold tell you about the poet’s mood at this point?the poet’s mood at this point?

What is the effect of enjambment?What is the effect of enjambment?

Stanza 2Stanza 2 We know what is on his mind as when he sees the We know what is on his mind as when he sees the

trolley, he immediately assumes it is a dead body.trolley, he immediately assumes it is a dead body. ““vanishes heavenward” – in fact goes up in a lift, but as vanishes heavenward” – in fact goes up in a lift, but as

far as poet is concerned, its on its last journey.far as poet is concerned, its on its last journey. He is clearly worried about his sick relative – has he He is clearly worried about his sick relative – has he

come too late?come too late? Enjambment – the effect is to emphasise the last word of Enjambment – the effect is to emphasise the last word of

the line (his thoughts of death and finality)the line (his thoughts of death and finality) ““Trundled” suggests the lack of care taken by the porter Trundled” suggests the lack of care taken by the porter

– as if the poet thinks there is no point taking care as the – as if the poet thinks there is no point taking care as the person is dead. Supports his feeling of hopelessness.person is dead. Supports his feeling of hopelessness.

Stanza 3Stanza 3

The poet repeats the words “I will not feel.” The poet repeats the words “I will not feel.” To whom do you think he may be saying To whom do you think he may be saying these words and why?these words and why?

How does the repetition and rhythm add to How does the repetition and rhythm add to the overall effect of the verse?the overall effect of the verse?

Explain the last line of this stanza.Explain the last line of this stanza.

Stanza 3Stanza 3

The poet appears to be talking to himself.The poet appears to be talking to himself. The repetition intensifies the control he is trying The repetition intensifies the control he is trying

to impose on himself, denying his feelings as to impose on himself, denying his feelings as they are too painful.they are too painful.

Together with the staccato rhythm of this short Together with the staccato rhythm of this short verse with its monosyllabic words, the repetition verse with its monosyllabic words, the repetition heightens the atmosphere of tension.heightens the atmosphere of tension.

The last line shows the poet making a conscious The last line shows the poet making a conscious effort to be detached – he knows he will have to effort to be detached – he knows he will have to face up to the situation eventually, but not yet.face up to the situation eventually, but not yet.

Stanza 4Stanza 4

Comment on the syntax (word order) of Comment on the syntax (word order) of the line “here and up and down and there.” the line “here and up and down and there.” What effect does it achieve? What effect does it achieve?

What is the effect of the linking word What is the effect of the linking word ‘and’?‘and’?

What do these details tell us about the What do these details tell us about the poet’s attitude to the nurses?poet’s attitude to the nurses?

What does he reveal about himself in his What does he reveal about himself in his observations of the nurses?observations of the nurses?

Stanza 4Stanza 4 This verse gives the sense of bustle in a busy This verse gives the sense of bustle in a busy

hospital through the description of the nurses.hospital through the description of the nurses. Unusual syntax in line 12 highlights the Unusual syntax in line 12 highlights the

ubiquitous nature of the nurses, as if they are ubiquitous nature of the nurses, as if they are everywhere at once.everywhere at once.

The repetition of “and” emphasises the distance The repetition of “and” emphasises the distance the nurses cover and gives an impression of the the nurses cover and gives an impression of the speed they move at.speed they move at.

There is a contrast in how the nurses and the There is a contrast in how the nurses and the poet cope with death. “Burden” conveys the poet cope with death. “Burden” conveys the extent of his anguish, yet the nurses are able to extent of his anguish, yet the nurses are able to deal with many deaths “their eyes clear”.deal with many deaths “their eyes clear”.

Stanza 5Stanza 5

Comment on the effect of the full stop in “Ward Comment on the effect of the full stop in “Ward 7.” Also, what is the effect of the use of the 7.” Also, what is the effect of the use of the numeral 7?numeral 7?

Find 3 examples of metaphor in this verse and Find 3 examples of metaphor in this verse and explain explain

the comparison being made, the comparison being made, how appropriate the image/metaphor is, how appropriate the image/metaphor is, what is the effect it has/connotations?what is the effect it has/connotations? Comment on the use of enjambment in lines 29-Comment on the use of enjambment in lines 29-

30.30.

Stanza 5Stanza 5 ““She lies/in a cave of white forgetfulness.”She lies/in a cave of white forgetfulness.” The bed is screened off by a white curtain like a cave. The bed is screened off by a white curtain like a cave.

“Forgetfulness” because she is barely conscious.“Forgetfulness” because she is barely conscious. It is appropriate because she is cut off from the rest of It is appropriate because she is cut off from the rest of

the ward as effectively as if she were in a cave on the the ward as effectively as if she were in a cave on the side of a cliff. Due to the coma, she cannot side of a cliff. Due to the coma, she cannot communicate with the poet, nor he with her.communicate with the poet, nor he with her.

Poet is immediately aware that she is not accessible to Poet is immediately aware that she is not accessible to him, or him to her. “White” adds to the feeling of him, or him to her. “White” adds to the feeling of inaccessibility, as if he is seeing her through a white inaccessibility, as if he is seeing her through a white haze or white noise – which impedes communication.haze or white noise – which impedes communication.

Stanza 5Stanza 5 ““A withered hand/trembles on its stalk,”A withered hand/trembles on its stalk,” ““Withered” is appropriate as she is dying and “stalk” Withered” is appropriate as she is dying and “stalk”

suggests the weakness and thinness of her armsuggests the weakness and thinness of her arm The trembling hand and eyes moving behind eyelids are The trembling hand and eyes moving behind eyelids are

her fluttering uncontrolled attempts to reach him, so he her fluttering uncontrolled attempts to reach him, so he too, is alone with his pain.too, is alone with his pain.

The enjambment emphasises the heaviness of the The enjambment emphasises the heaviness of the patient’s eyelids and the effort she is making to open patient’s eyelids and the effort she is making to open them, to communicate with him.them, to communicate with him.

The flower image gives a sense of fragility and her The flower image gives a sense of fragility and her beauty in the eyes of the poet who looks at her with love.beauty in the eyes of the poet who looks at her with love.

Stanza 5Stanza 5 ““Into an arm wasted/of colour a glass fang is Into an arm wasted/of colour a glass fang is

fixed/not guzzling but giving.”fixed/not guzzling but giving.” Vampire image intensified by alliteration conveys his Vampire image intensified by alliteration conveys his

abhorrence at the sight of the drip feeding blood into her abhorrence at the sight of the drip feeding blood into her arm.arm.

He sees the needle as a fang biting into her arm, like a He sees the needle as a fang biting into her arm, like a vampire drinking her blood.vampire drinking her blood.

““wasted of colour” adds to impression that blood is being wasted of colour” adds to impression that blood is being taken rather than given.taken rather than given.

Effectively conveys his pity for the suffering of the Effectively conveys his pity for the suffering of the patient, his distress and the feeling that the whole patient, his distress and the feeling that the whole process is pointless and intrusive.process is pointless and intrusive.

Stanza 5Stanza 5

““And between her and me/distance/that And between her and me/distance/that neither she nor I/can cross.”neither she nor I/can cross.”

He bends to kiss her but she doesn’t respond.He bends to kiss her but she doesn’t respond. She is alone with her pain which has formed an She is alone with her pain which has formed an

invisible barrier between them.invisible barrier between them. The image conveys his feeling of desolation and The image conveys his feeling of desolation and

hopelessness at the inability to reach her.hopelessness at the inability to reach her. His isolation is emphasised by the enjambment His isolation is emphasised by the enjambment

– “I” poised at the end of the line.– “I” poised at the end of the line.

Stanza 6Stanza 6

How has the poet changed from the way he was How has the poet changed from the way he was at the beginning of the poem?at the beginning of the poem?

Comment on the effectiveness of:Comment on the effectiveness of: The metaphor in line 34The metaphor in line 34 Pun in line 35Pun in line 35 Paradox in line 37Paradox in line 37 Oxymoron in line 38 andOxymoron in line 38 and Alliteration in line 38.Alliteration in line 38.

Stanza 6Stanza 6

When the bell rings at the end of visiting hour, When the bell rings at the end of visiting hour, he leaves in a highly emotional state.he leaves in a highly emotional state.

MetaphorMetaphor – “clumsily rises/in the round – “clumsily rises/in the round swimming waves of a bell.” he escapes from his swimming waves of a bell.” he escapes from his distress like a drowning man to dry land. distress like a drowning man to dry land.

His self control has collapsed as he now His self control has collapsed as he now stumbles “clumsily” from the ward.stumbles “clumsily” from the ward.

““swimming” could suggest his eyes filled with swimming” could suggest his eyes filled with tears, as well as his head swimming with the tears, as well as his head swimming with the emotion of the experience.emotion of the experience.

Stanza 6Stanza 6 PunPun “growing fainter” – the poet would grow fainter with “growing fainter” – the poet would grow fainter with

distance from the patient and he is so upset he feels distance from the patient and he is so upset he feels faint.faint.

ParadoxParadox “Books that will not be read” and “Books that will not be read” and OxymoronOxymoron “Fruitless fruits” intensify his distress and “Fruitless fruits” intensify his distress and

confusion.confusion. She is beyond his reach and he can do nothing for her. She is beyond his reach and he can do nothing for her.

She is past reading or eating. He has gone through the She is past reading or eating. He has gone through the motions of a visit but knows his presence has made no motions of a visit but knows his presence has made no difference to the final outcome.difference to the final outcome.

AlliterationAlliteration intensifies the futility of the situation. intensifies the futility of the situation.

Visiting HourVisiting Hour The themes of this poem are facing death (both of the The themes of this poem are facing death (both of the

patient and the loss of a loved one), inexorability of patient and the loss of a loved one), inexorability of death (it is impossible to stop) and problems of death (it is impossible to stop) and problems of communication.communication.

It is written in FREE VERSE – appropriate to confusion It is written in FREE VERSE – appropriate to confusion in poet’s mind.in poet’s mind.

It is written in the FIRST PERSON – poet can express It is written in the FIRST PERSON – poet can express his feelings from the inside, which an observer would be his feelings from the inside, which an observer would be unable to detect. We see his feelings as genuine.unable to detect. We see his feelings as genuine.

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESSSTREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS style style makes us sympathise with the poet as we makes us sympathise with the poet as we can put ourselves in his position and can put ourselves in his position and identify with his feelings.identify with his feelings.

We arrive with him, walk through the We arrive with him, walk through the corridor with him and leave with him – this corridor with him and leave with him – this increases the emotional impact of poem.increases the emotional impact of poem.

We follow the build up and release of his We follow the build up and release of his feelings.feelings.

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

The overall structure contributes to the The overall structure contributes to the atmosphere and mood.atmosphere and mood.

Verse 1-3 are short, staccato and create a Verse 1-3 are short, staccato and create a sense of place, atmosphere and the poet’s sense of place, atmosphere and the poet’s feelingsfeelings

Verse 4 – sense of busy hospitalVerse 4 – sense of busy hospital Verse 5 – main action, sense of hush in the Verse 5 – main action, sense of hush in the

presence of dying woman.presence of dying woman. Verse 6 – opening of floodgates of poet’s Verse 6 – opening of floodgates of poet’s

emotions in face of his inevitable loss.emotions in face of his inevitable loss.

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

EvaluationEvaluation Think about…Think about… Is it less of an ordeal for the dying person Is it less of an ordeal for the dying person

than the one left behind?than the one left behind? Dying is something we have to do alone, Dying is something we have to do alone,

despite being surrounded by loved ones?despite being surrounded by loved ones? How realistic do you find the poet’s How realistic do you find the poet’s

feelings?feelings?