Out of the Blue by Simon Armitage
- Created by: Antonia Loizou
- Created on: 24-02-13 14:49
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- Extracts form Out of the Blue by Simon Armitage
- Themes and Ideas
- The poem shows how conflict isn't just confined to the battlefield and that terrorism intrudes on everyone's life.
- The poem is a dramatic monologue and it invites the reader, who is already a witness to this event to see it from the point of the victim.
- Background and Context
- It is a poem that was commissioned for the 5th anniversary of the Twin Towers bombing in 2001.
- The use of dramatic monologue allows the poet to explore the thoughts and feelings of a victim of conflict.
- Structure
- Different types of lines
- For example all the lines in the final stanza are ended with a full stop and this suggests finality.
- Enjambement
- This creates a disorientating effect which suggests the enormity of the situation and also the dizzying height of the building.
- Different types of lines
- Techniques
- Caesuras
- The depth is appaling.Apalling
- This highlights the terror of the situation.
- The depth is appaling.Apalling
- First Person and Continuous Tense
- This used to give a pressing sense of urgency. The immediancy of the event is heightened by the insistent repetition of the present participles.
- Repetition
- In fact I am waving, waving
- creates sad imagery of the final actions of this man.
- Highlights the importance of the action and the desperation of the man, he needs to be noticed.
- Watching, watching
- the repetition of 'watching' emphasises the fact that rather than take action people watch it on their tv.
- In fact I am waving, waving
- Rhetorical Question
- Does anyone see a soul worth saving?
- Suggests and questions his significance, or lack of it.Is this sentient being just another face in the crowd.
- This is important because it questions our inhumanity and empathy for others.
- Suggests and questions his significance, or lack of it.Is this sentient being just another face in the crowd.
- Does anyone see a soul worth saving?
- Symbolism
- A bird goes by.
- The line stands out because it is so short.
- Even in this extreme situation he notices the small everyday thimgs.
- A bird goes by.
- Sarcastic Understatement
- a man shaking crumbs or ******* out washing?
- The use of sarcastic understatement in the final question is treating this act as insignificance.
- a man shaking crumbs or ******* out washing?
- Emotive Language
- Do you see me, my love
- This is an adress to his loved one who he hopes is watching as he says his final goodbye.
- Do you see me, my love
- Caesuras
- Targeting A/A*
- Does the poem succeed?
- Does the poem accuse the reader of naivety?
- Compares with...
- The Right Word
- Perpetrators of terrorism vs consequences
- Bayonet Charge
- First Person
- Experience of conflict
- Belfast Confetti
- First Person
- Civilian victim of terrorism
- The Right Word
- Themes and Ideas
- Background and Context
- It is a poem that was commissioned for the 5th anniversary of the Twin Towers bombing in 2001.
- The use of dramatic monologue allows the poet to explore the thoughts and feelings of a victim of conflict.
- The bird is a symbol of freedom.
- A bird goes by.
- The line stands out because it is so short.
- Even in this extreme situation he notices the small everyday thimgs.
- A bird goes by.
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