Assisi

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"hands on backwards"
This gives the reader a shocking description of the beggar as he looks deformed, you don't want to see him and clearly shows that the beggar needs help.
1 of 6
"tiny twisted legs"
The idea that the beggar has no limbs - he looks like a ragdoll. The 'tiny' emphasises the disturbing normanity of his deformity.
2 of 6
"ruined temple"
This metaphor emphasises the ignorance towards the beggar. The reference to “ruined temple” suggests the 'temple' is the beggar's body which is seen as the place where the human spirit or soul is held in Christian belief.
3 of 6
"as sweet as a child's when she speaks to her mother"
The simile suggests a contrast in how disgustingly grotesque the beggar looks to how vulnerable and sweet he is inside while the child/mother relationship suggests love and respect.
4 of 6
"or a bird's when it spoke to St. Francis"
MacCaig draws attention to the beggar as being harmless, he can not help being disabled he has to suffer because of his deformity.
5 of 6
"sat, slumped like a half-filled sack"
This simile which is used at the start of the poem is very effective as it creates a vivid image of the beggar in the readers mind and implies that this dwarf is shapeless and almost lifeless.
6 of 6

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The idea that the beggar has no limbs - he looks like a ragdoll. The 'tiny' emphasises the disturbing normanity of his deformity.

Back

"tiny twisted legs"

Card 3

Front

This metaphor emphasises the ignorance towards the beggar. The reference to “ruined temple” suggests the 'temple' is the beggar's body which is seen as the place where the human spirit or soul is held in Christian belief.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The simile suggests a contrast in how disgustingly grotesque the beggar looks to how vulnerable and sweet he is inside while the child/mother relationship suggests love and respect.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

MacCaig draws attention to the beggar as being harmless, he can not help being disabled he has to suffer because of his deformity.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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