Poems Of The Decade
Out Of The Bag
Title:
It alludes to the idea that the narrator of the poem will gain greater understanding of
a topic or issues, making a reader curious to find out whether this will be new
information for themselves too.
Mystery, naivety, and curiosity
Childlike sense
Structure:
One of the key visual aspects of the structure of ‘Out of the Bag’ is the way in which
different sections are numbered between one and four. This splits up the poem into
four distinct sections with the aim of showing the transition in place and time at
different stages in the narrator’s life, from childhood through to adulthood
the individual stanzas are quite short at only three lines long, and this structure is
consistent throughout the poem with the exception of a one line stanza at the end of
the first section
However, the poem is less consistent when it comes to the number of stanzas within
each section, with the first being much longer than the remaining three
the free verse structure which places further emphasis on the free-flowing nature of
the memories and thoughts being shared as the lack of notable rhyme scheme can
be seen as letting the imagery and ideas ‘speak for themselves’
This structure is made more notable through the use of enjambment which occurs
between a range of stanzas, as well as few end-stopped lines, which together would
make the structure quite notable but also confusing for a reader.
Not bound by line length, suggesting the persona will not be bound by people telling
him he cannot be a great doctor, despite his lack of medical skills. Evokes sympathy
for the persona in his attempt.
, Caesuras in ‘nosy, rosy, big, soft hands’. List to describe the doctor builds up a
depiction of a reassuring and protecting figure. Yet, the use of caesuras and simple
adjectives expresses an idea of the babbling nature of a child.
’That was next’. The use of a dash forces the reader to pause to consider what the
next steps are. Expresses the idealised view of the persona's younger self in their
awe and wonder towards the doctor.
‘Beyond-the-north-wind blue’. Build-up of descriptions through uses of dashes
expresses the fantasy like nature of the doctor.
Syndetic list of ‘chill of tiles, steel hocks, chrome surgery tools’ expresses the
complex tools which the persona is uncertain of their purpose
‘a bit like a rosebud in his buttonhole’. Sentence stands out in the poem as the only
singled line. Highlighting the end to his child.
‘Midday, mid-may, pre-tourist' caesuras separating the different periods of time
perhaps represents the change of perspective of the persona that has occurred over
time
Cyclical structure in the baby by the end of the poem relating back to the birth at the
beginning. Highlights the continued process of life and death, with the four sections
of the poem potentially acting as the four stages of life and development which the
persona has experienced
Language Techniques / Devices:
The range of complex vocabulary and ideas within ‘Out of the Bag’ makes it more
likely that a reader will feel a child-like sense of being overwhelmed in their lack of
knowledge and appreciation of events
In addition to the general complex vocabulary there are also specific references to
Ancient Greece and an associated semantic field, including the use of Latin.
This emphasises the idea of birth is ancient, even to the extent of being an ‘ancient
ritual’. It could be seen again as an additional technique used to make a reader feel
confused for their potential lack of knowledge.
The assonance between ‘nosy, rosy’ coupled with the adjective ‘big, soft’ amplifies
the familiarity and gentle natured doctor, with his friendliness ultimately impacting the
young personas naivety and influence his entire life.
Out Of The Bag
Title:
It alludes to the idea that the narrator of the poem will gain greater understanding of
a topic or issues, making a reader curious to find out whether this will be new
information for themselves too.
Mystery, naivety, and curiosity
Childlike sense
Structure:
One of the key visual aspects of the structure of ‘Out of the Bag’ is the way in which
different sections are numbered between one and four. This splits up the poem into
four distinct sections with the aim of showing the transition in place and time at
different stages in the narrator’s life, from childhood through to adulthood
the individual stanzas are quite short at only three lines long, and this structure is
consistent throughout the poem with the exception of a one line stanza at the end of
the first section
However, the poem is less consistent when it comes to the number of stanzas within
each section, with the first being much longer than the remaining three
the free verse structure which places further emphasis on the free-flowing nature of
the memories and thoughts being shared as the lack of notable rhyme scheme can
be seen as letting the imagery and ideas ‘speak for themselves’
This structure is made more notable through the use of enjambment which occurs
between a range of stanzas, as well as few end-stopped lines, which together would
make the structure quite notable but also confusing for a reader.
Not bound by line length, suggesting the persona will not be bound by people telling
him he cannot be a great doctor, despite his lack of medical skills. Evokes sympathy
for the persona in his attempt.
, Caesuras in ‘nosy, rosy, big, soft hands’. List to describe the doctor builds up a
depiction of a reassuring and protecting figure. Yet, the use of caesuras and simple
adjectives expresses an idea of the babbling nature of a child.
’That was next’. The use of a dash forces the reader to pause to consider what the
next steps are. Expresses the idealised view of the persona's younger self in their
awe and wonder towards the doctor.
‘Beyond-the-north-wind blue’. Build-up of descriptions through uses of dashes
expresses the fantasy like nature of the doctor.
Syndetic list of ‘chill of tiles, steel hocks, chrome surgery tools’ expresses the
complex tools which the persona is uncertain of their purpose
‘a bit like a rosebud in his buttonhole’. Sentence stands out in the poem as the only
singled line. Highlighting the end to his child.
‘Midday, mid-may, pre-tourist' caesuras separating the different periods of time
perhaps represents the change of perspective of the persona that has occurred over
time
Cyclical structure in the baby by the end of the poem relating back to the birth at the
beginning. Highlights the continued process of life and death, with the four sections
of the poem potentially acting as the four stages of life and development which the
persona has experienced
Language Techniques / Devices:
The range of complex vocabulary and ideas within ‘Out of the Bag’ makes it more
likely that a reader will feel a child-like sense of being overwhelmed in their lack of
knowledge and appreciation of events
In addition to the general complex vocabulary there are also specific references to
Ancient Greece and an associated semantic field, including the use of Latin.
This emphasises the idea of birth is ancient, even to the extent of being an ‘ancient
ritual’. It could be seen again as an additional technique used to make a reader feel
confused for their potential lack of knowledge.
The assonance between ‘nosy, rosy’ coupled with the adjective ‘big, soft’ amplifies
the familiarity and gentle natured doctor, with his friendliness ultimately impacting the
young personas naivety and influence his entire life.
