Read “Auto Wreck” by Karl Shapiro. In this poem, the speaker considers
a road-traffic accident. Analyse the poetic methods used by Shapiro to
explore the thoughts and feelings of the speaker.
In “Auto Wreck”, Shapiro uses the aftermath of a road-traffic accident as
an extended metaphor to portray humanity’s relationship with death, focusing
on the chaos and disbelief which follows any tragedy. This is achieved through
the use of narrative poetry, which allows Shapiro to focus on the cold, factual
procedures which must follow death, rather than focusing on the emotions of
the impacted parties. In this way, Shapiro demonstrates the shock that can
overcome people in their grief. However, unlike most narrative poems, Shapiro
writes in free verse. This may be interpreted as a reflection of the disorder
which follows death, demonstrating the chaotic feelings of the speaker to the
reader. Moreover, the poem is written in one long stanza, creating a visually
overwhelming appearance. This emphasises the speaker’s turmoil when faced
with death.
Shapiro explores several different reactions to death within the poem,
as well as the speaker’s response to each of them. He opens with the calm
efficiency of the ambulance, with “Its quick soft silver bell beating, beating, /
And down the dark one ruby flare / Pulsing out light like an artery.” Shapiro
likens the ambulance to a beating heart with the rhythmic repetition of
“beating”, representing life and survival to the reader. However, this image is
also violent, and the enjambement speeds up the pace of the poem,
underlining the swift rush from life to death. This aggressive tone is echoed by
the harsh, plosive alliteration, which creates a sense of foreboding. The simile
also indicates death, and creates an uneasy atmosphere which highlights the
speaker’s fear when faced with such a fatality. Contrastingly, the sibilance of
the “soft silver” sound exudes comfort. The ambulance doors “leap open,
emptying light”. This celestial imagery portrays the medical crew as heroic
angels, symbolising the human struggle against death. The juxtaposition
a road-traffic accident. Analyse the poetic methods used by Shapiro to
explore the thoughts and feelings of the speaker.
In “Auto Wreck”, Shapiro uses the aftermath of a road-traffic accident as
an extended metaphor to portray humanity’s relationship with death, focusing
on the chaos and disbelief which follows any tragedy. This is achieved through
the use of narrative poetry, which allows Shapiro to focus on the cold, factual
procedures which must follow death, rather than focusing on the emotions of
the impacted parties. In this way, Shapiro demonstrates the shock that can
overcome people in their grief. However, unlike most narrative poems, Shapiro
writes in free verse. This may be interpreted as a reflection of the disorder
which follows death, demonstrating the chaotic feelings of the speaker to the
reader. Moreover, the poem is written in one long stanza, creating a visually
overwhelming appearance. This emphasises the speaker’s turmoil when faced
with death.
Shapiro explores several different reactions to death within the poem,
as well as the speaker’s response to each of them. He opens with the calm
efficiency of the ambulance, with “Its quick soft silver bell beating, beating, /
And down the dark one ruby flare / Pulsing out light like an artery.” Shapiro
likens the ambulance to a beating heart with the rhythmic repetition of
“beating”, representing life and survival to the reader. However, this image is
also violent, and the enjambement speeds up the pace of the poem,
underlining the swift rush from life to death. This aggressive tone is echoed by
the harsh, plosive alliteration, which creates a sense of foreboding. The simile
also indicates death, and creates an uneasy atmosphere which highlights the
speaker’s fear when faced with such a fatality. Contrastingly, the sibilance of
the “soft silver” sound exudes comfort. The ambulance doors “leap open,
emptying light”. This celestial imagery portrays the medical crew as heroic
angels, symbolising the human struggle against death. The juxtaposition
