2. 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, sentenceTalk about word choice, sentence
structure, mood and atmosphere.structure, mood and atmosphere.
3. Visiting HourVisiting Hour
UnderstandingUnderstanding
After reading through the poem, write downAfter reading through the poem, write down
what you think is happening in the poem.what you think is happening in the poem.
ThemesThemes
Do you notice any themes at this stage?Do you notice any themes at this stage?
4. Stanza 1Stanza 1
How does the poet help us be there withHow 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 ofbobbing 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 coloursWhat are the connotations of the colours
green and yellow in this context?green and yellow in this context?
5. Stanza 1Stanza 1
The poet is making his way along the hospital corridor toThe 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’sIn stanza 1, the scene is set by reference to the poet’s
senses.senses.
The ‘hospital smell’ is typical of most peoples experienceThe ‘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 himSuggests 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 – againgreen…yellow” suggests colours of vomit, pus – again
emphasises his discomfort and unpleasantness of visit.emphasises his discomfort and unpleasantness of visit.
6. Stanza 1Stanza 1
SYNECDOCHESYNECDOCHE
Lines 2/3 “nostrils…bobbing along”Lines 2/3 “nostrils…bobbing along”
Of course his whole body is moving alongOf course his whole body is moving along
the corridor – not just his nostrils.the corridor – not just his nostrils.
The synecdoche focuses attention on theThe synecdoche focuses attention on the
nostrils in order to strengthen the idea ofnostrils 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.
7. Stanza 2Stanza 2
““What seems aWhat seems a corpsecorpse
isis trundledtrundled into a lift andinto a lift and vanishesvanishes
heavenwardheavenward.”.”
What do the words in bold tell you aboutWhat 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?
8. Stanza 2Stanza 2
We know what is on his mind as when he sees theWe 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 asvanishes 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 heHe is clearly worried about his sick relative – has he
come too late?come too late?
Enjambment – the effect is to emphasise the last word ofEnjambment – 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 porterTrundled” 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.
9. 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 sayingTo whom do you think he may be saying
these words and why?these words and why?
How does the repetition and rhythm add toHow 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.
10. 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 tryingThe repetition intensifies the control he is trying
to impose on himself, denying his feelings asto impose on himself, denying his feelings as
they are too painful.they are too painful.
Together with the staccato rhythm of this shortTogether with the staccato rhythm of this short
verse with its monosyllabic words, the repetitionverse with its monosyllabic words, the repetition
heightens the atmosphere of tension.heightens the atmosphere of tension.
The last line shows the poet making a consciousThe last line shows the poet making a conscious
effort to be detached – he knows he will have toeffort 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.
11. Stanza 4Stanza 4
Comment on the syntax (word order) ofComment 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 wordWhat is the effect of the linking word
‘and’?‘and’?
What do these details tell us about theWhat 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 hisWhat does he reveal about himself in his
observations of the nurses?observations of the nurses?
12. Stanza 4Stanza 4
This verse gives the sense of bustle in a busyThis 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 theUnusual syntax in line 12 highlights the
ubiquitous nature of the nurses, as if they areubiquitous nature of the nurses, as if they are
everywhere at once.everywhere at once.
The repetition of “and” emphasises the distanceThe repetition of “and” emphasises the distance
the nurses cover and gives an impression of thethe 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 theThere is a contrast in how the nurses and the
poet cope with death. “Burden” conveys thepoet cope with death. “Burden” conveys the
extent of his anguish, yet the nurses are able toextent of his anguish, yet the nurses are able to
deal with many deaths “their eyes clear”.deal with many deaths “their eyes clear”.
13. Stanza 5Stanza 5
Comment on the effect of the full stop in “WardComment on the effect of the full stop in “Ward
7.” Also, what is the effect of the use of the7.” Also, what is the effect of the use of the
numeral 7?numeral 7?
Find 3 examples of metaphor in this verse andFind 3 examples of metaphor in this verse and
explainexplain
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.
14. 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 ofIt is appropriate because she is cut off from the rest of
the ward as effectively as if she were in a cave on thethe ward as effectively as if she were in a cave on the
side of a cliff. Due to the coma, she cannotside 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 toPoet is immediately aware that she is not accessible to
him, or him to her. “White” adds to the feeling ofhim, or him to her. “White” adds to the feeling of
inaccessibility, as if he is seeing her through a whiteinaccessibility, as if he is seeing her through a white
haze or white noise – which impedes communication.haze or white noise – which impedes communication.
15. 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 areThe trembling hand and eyes moving behind eyelids are
her fluttering uncontrolled attempts to reach him, so heher 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 theThe enjambment emphasises the heaviness of the
patient’s eyelids and the effort she is making to openpatient’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 herThe 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.
16. Stanza 5Stanza 5
““Into an arm wasted/of colour a glass fang isInto 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 hisVampire image intensified by alliteration conveys his
abhorrence at the sight of the drip feeding blood into herabhorrence at the sight of the drip feeding blood into her
arm.arm.
He sees the needle as a fang biting into her arm, like aHe 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 beingwasted 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 theEffectively conveys his pity for the suffering of the
patient, his distress and the feeling that the wholepatient, his distress and the feeling that the whole
process is pointless and intrusive.process is pointless and intrusive.
17. Stanza 5Stanza 5
““And between her and me/distance/thatAnd 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 anShe is alone with her pain which has formed an
invisible barrier between them.invisible barrier between them.
The image conveys his feeling of desolation andThe 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 enjambmentHis isolation is emphasised by the enjambment
– “I” poised at the end of the line.– “I” poised at the end of the line.
18. Stanza 6Stanza 6
How has the poet changed from the way he wasHow 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.
19. 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 hisswimming 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 nowHis self control has collapsed as he now
stumbles “clumsily” from the ward.stumbles “clumsily” from the ward.
““swimming” could suggest his eyes filled withswimming” could suggest his eyes filled with
tears, as well as his head swimming with thetears, as well as his head swimming with the
emotion of the experience.emotion of the experience.
20. 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 feelsdistance 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 theShe is past reading or eating. He has gone through the
motions of a visit but knows his presence has made nomotions 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.
21. Visiting HourVisiting Hour
The themes of this poem are facing death (both of theThe themes of this poem are facing death (both of the
patient and the loss of a loved one), inexorability ofpatient and the loss of a loved one), inexorability of
death (it is impossible to stop) and problems ofdeath (it is impossible to stop) and problems of
communication.communication.
It is written in FREE VERSE – appropriate to confusionIt 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 expressIt is written in the FIRST PERSON – poet can express
his feelings from the inside, which an observer would behis 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.
22. Visiting HourVisiting Hour
STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESSSTREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS stylestyle
makes us sympathise with the poet as wemakes us sympathise with the poet as we
can put ourselves in his position andcan put ourselves in his position and
identify with his feelings.identify with his feelings.
We arrive with him, walk through theWe arrive with him, walk through the
corridor with him and leave with him – thiscorridor 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 hisWe follow the build up and release of his
feelings.feelings.
23. Visiting HourVisiting Hour
The overall structure contributes to theThe overall structure contributes to the
atmosphere and mood.atmosphere and mood.
Verse 1-3 are short, staccato and create aVerse 1-3 are short, staccato and create a
sense of place, atmosphere and the poet’ssense 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 theVerse 5 – main action, sense of hush in the
presence of dying woman.presence of dying woman.
Verse 6 – opening of floodgates of poet’sVerse 6 – opening of floodgates of poet’s
emotions in face of his inevitable loss.emotions in face of his inevitable loss.
24. Visiting HourVisiting Hour
EvaluationEvaluation
Think about…Think about…
Is it less of an ordeal for the dying personIs 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’sHow realistic do you find the poet’s
feelings?feelings?