Chainsaw versus the Pampas Grass by Simon Armitage

• The poem is about a man ( assume he is male) taking the chainsaw and cutting down the pampass grass of South America.
• Chainsaw is seen to be a bit of an overkill where such a simple task such as cutting grass.
• Despite the chainsaw moving down the grass with ease the poem ends with the vision of grass growing back despite the chainsaws best efforts.
• It looks at the idea of the relationship between man made objects and humanity with nature and a natural world using symoblism of a chainsaw.
• Armitage typically looks aty greater sociatal ideas.

• Total of eight stanzers
• Dont follow a structure because they vary in length.
• Little consistancy between end stopped and run on lines.
• Simalarity between stanzas is that enjambment between them with each one of them reprenting control of humanity over natural form and structure.
• Conversational structure with a mix of short and long sentences giving an informal tone throughout.
• Mix of lines could also be seen to represent the destructive nature of the chainsaw and it's reckless unrestricted power which extends into the poem.

Personification used from the very first stanza 'grinding it's teeth' which helps make the object seem more formindable, not only has the qualities of a chainsaw but added qualities therefore abilities of a human.

Could suggest human and their destruction of the enviroment.

Sibilance is used through it's connotations of snakes and danger it makes the reader feel wary of the chainsaw and the danger of destruction.

The inclusion of the word 'jucies' adds a natural element and habitat and the idea of something carnivorous and hungry.

Powerful and dominant language used consistantly. Plosive sound on 'dismissed' reinforcing the idea of masculinity.

When read aloud ideas become more apparent 'felt', 'flesh', 'flare' Sounds like the humming of an engine. Highlighting ideas of power and human machinery.

"The Chainsaw seethed"

Most striking example of personification with sibilance adding to the emotive line. Showing a burning passion that the chainsaw posseses.

Readers could feel intimidated and apprehensive of what will happen when the chainsaw returns.

"Plant Jucies spat from the pipes and tubes"

The word 'spat' shows the chainsaw has no regard of nature at all. Making the reader feel sympathetic towards the pampas grass and therefore this nature will be destroyed.

The image of 'plant jucies' have a strong link to blood with the mental image verging on being distrubing.

Power:

Extreme power exhibited by the chainsaw with potential hard adding to the power and brutalilty.

Masculinity:

Highlighted through phallic imagery despite males being seen as the strong sex and the lack of femininity could highlight this flaw in the masculin situation.