‘Chainsaw versus the pampas grass’
In the poem, the speaker takes a chainsaw to cut down the pampas grass that continues to
grow every year. The chainsaw is a symbol of masculinity and the poem explores how
destructive masculinity can be towards both nature and femininity.
The key elements of form and structure:
1. The mix of line lengths could represent the destructive nature of the chainsaw, and
it’s reckless and unrestricted power in turn damaging and destroying the structure of
the poem, making it look more uneven and fragmented.
2. There is a conversational, informal tone, with the speaker using colloquialism such as
“one last gulp,” “sweet tooth,” and “a good pull or shove”. It is as if the speaker is
recalling the accounts of a battle, and the first line is important in establishing this
idea- ‘it seemed an unlikely match.’ The chainsaw is expected to be victorious, but
as the poem progresses, the power of nature shines through.
3. Unbalanced structure, with one of the shortest stanzas focusing on the pampas
grass. This reflects how the chainsaw attempts to dominate, yet in the end these
efforts fail.
4. This poem is made up of eight stanzas that have no real structure. The fact that the
stanzas are quite random and uncontrolled is a representation of the lack of control
men have over their anger. It’s almost like ‘lashing out at air’- masculinity has no
self-restraint.
Key methods used by the writer to convey their ideas:
1. The chainsaw and pampas grass are personified throughout the poem in order to
portray stereotypical aspects of masculinity and femininity, for example violence,
anger and dominating nature of men: ‘No gearing up or getting to speed, just an
instant rage’ ‘This was the sledgehammer taken to crack the nut … Overkill” (which
suggests that men are prone to reacting in an extreme manner to things which make
them angry, even though this is not effective, as seen with the re-growth of the
pampas grass.) “Back below stairs on its hook, the chainsaw seethed.” – perhaps
this reflects how men cannot move on or accept defeat. Meanwhile, the pampas
grass represents many stereotypical aspects of femininity, for example narcissism-
“The pampas grass with its ludicrous feathers and plumes”- pampas grass is almost
self-centered, with excessive accessory. Desire for attention – e.g. “taking the
warmth and light … stealing the show”, which implies that the pampas grass
(representing women) will go to great lengths to be the centre of attention. Also, a
women’s typical preoccupation with physical appearance is conveyed through the
grass– “sunning itself’. Women are stereotypically seen as weak and delicate, yet
ironically in the poem, are victorious over the man.
2. There is an aggressive and violent tone throughout this poem as we are shown the
‘disregard’ men have for both nature and femininity. There is also war like imagery
which adds to this tone of violence as ‘plant juice spat from the pipes and tubes’
giving us the image of spitting blood from the aggression men have exercised . The
In the poem, the speaker takes a chainsaw to cut down the pampas grass that continues to
grow every year. The chainsaw is a symbol of masculinity and the poem explores how
destructive masculinity can be towards both nature and femininity.
The key elements of form and structure:
1. The mix of line lengths could represent the destructive nature of the chainsaw, and
it’s reckless and unrestricted power in turn damaging and destroying the structure of
the poem, making it look more uneven and fragmented.
2. There is a conversational, informal tone, with the speaker using colloquialism such as
“one last gulp,” “sweet tooth,” and “a good pull or shove”. It is as if the speaker is
recalling the accounts of a battle, and the first line is important in establishing this
idea- ‘it seemed an unlikely match.’ The chainsaw is expected to be victorious, but
as the poem progresses, the power of nature shines through.
3. Unbalanced structure, with one of the shortest stanzas focusing on the pampas
grass. This reflects how the chainsaw attempts to dominate, yet in the end these
efforts fail.
4. This poem is made up of eight stanzas that have no real structure. The fact that the
stanzas are quite random and uncontrolled is a representation of the lack of control
men have over their anger. It’s almost like ‘lashing out at air’- masculinity has no
self-restraint.
Key methods used by the writer to convey their ideas:
1. The chainsaw and pampas grass are personified throughout the poem in order to
portray stereotypical aspects of masculinity and femininity, for example violence,
anger and dominating nature of men: ‘No gearing up or getting to speed, just an
instant rage’ ‘This was the sledgehammer taken to crack the nut … Overkill” (which
suggests that men are prone to reacting in an extreme manner to things which make
them angry, even though this is not effective, as seen with the re-growth of the
pampas grass.) “Back below stairs on its hook, the chainsaw seethed.” – perhaps
this reflects how men cannot move on or accept defeat. Meanwhile, the pampas
grass represents many stereotypical aspects of femininity, for example narcissism-
“The pampas grass with its ludicrous feathers and plumes”- pampas grass is almost
self-centered, with excessive accessory. Desire for attention – e.g. “taking the
warmth and light … stealing the show”, which implies that the pampas grass
(representing women) will go to great lengths to be the centre of attention. Also, a
women’s typical preoccupation with physical appearance is conveyed through the
grass– “sunning itself’. Women are stereotypically seen as weak and delicate, yet
ironically in the poem, are victorious over the man.
2. There is an aggressive and violent tone throughout this poem as we are shown the
‘disregard’ men have for both nature and femininity. There is also war like imagery
which adds to this tone of violence as ‘plant juice spat from the pipes and tubes’
giving us the image of spitting blood from the aggression men have exercised . The
