The title introduces the extended metaphor of the
theatre, which is present throughout the poem. This
could demonstrate how the speaker is downplaying the
illness to others and themselves, believing that their
‘A minor role’ role is insignificant when everything is considered –
despite their presence and support being one of the
Overview most important aspects for the ill person.
The poem focuses on the effects of illness on a loved one. There is the sense that the speaker must
find disconnection from their own feelings in order to stay strong, and a metaphor of the theatre is
used to highlight how the speaker must play this role. Fanthorpe challenges the reader to reflect on
their own life, on the role they play, and how they present themselves to society.
Key themes:
Illness and death
Artifice
Social behaviours
Identity:
o There are a range of hints and allusions to the loss of identity within ‘A Minor Role’,
in particular the idea of saying thank you for “anything” and the way in which the
medical semantic field consumes the poem. There is also the way in which the
narrator sees themselves, and the contrast between an on stage and off stage
identity, which much of the poem also rests upon.
Key elements of form and structure:
Written in free verse- highlighting dealing with illness is a destabilising experience.
Isolated final line- definitive final message- the speaker realizes their role.
Irregular line length and stanza structure- irregularity of life. Rhythm only emphasises this.
Caesura used, especially in stanza 2- reflects the interruptions of life.
It seems as if Fanthorpe is freely speaking the poem, with the strange and unmelodic poem a
reflection of her thought process.
The strange form could be a reflection of the erratic mindset Fanthorpe feels after not
ending in the role she would have liked.
Key methods used by the writer to convey their ideas:
Extended metaphor of a stage is used to depict the speaker as someone who feels like they are
playing an act or a role- perhaps this is a form of escapism from reality, or a way of them staying
strong in times of hardship…
‘I’m best observed on stage’
Indicates pretence and artifice as the speaker continues to hide their true feelings
throughout- idea of performing a ‘part’ in society, as it seems that holding a façade can be
better than facing reality.
The ‘stage’ is used as a metaphor to demonstrate the ‘minor role’ that the speaker plays in
their own life – they’re constantly listen to others and pleasing others, when really they are
illustrated as being on the verge of breaking.
Poem begins with the first personal pronoun, focusing the attention directly on the speaker
and their desire for the ‘star part’ which they are detached from.
theatre, which is present throughout the poem. This
could demonstrate how the speaker is downplaying the
illness to others and themselves, believing that their
‘A minor role’ role is insignificant when everything is considered –
despite their presence and support being one of the
Overview most important aspects for the ill person.
The poem focuses on the effects of illness on a loved one. There is the sense that the speaker must
find disconnection from their own feelings in order to stay strong, and a metaphor of the theatre is
used to highlight how the speaker must play this role. Fanthorpe challenges the reader to reflect on
their own life, on the role they play, and how they present themselves to society.
Key themes:
Illness and death
Artifice
Social behaviours
Identity:
o There are a range of hints and allusions to the loss of identity within ‘A Minor Role’,
in particular the idea of saying thank you for “anything” and the way in which the
medical semantic field consumes the poem. There is also the way in which the
narrator sees themselves, and the contrast between an on stage and off stage
identity, which much of the poem also rests upon.
Key elements of form and structure:
Written in free verse- highlighting dealing with illness is a destabilising experience.
Isolated final line- definitive final message- the speaker realizes their role.
Irregular line length and stanza structure- irregularity of life. Rhythm only emphasises this.
Caesura used, especially in stanza 2- reflects the interruptions of life.
It seems as if Fanthorpe is freely speaking the poem, with the strange and unmelodic poem a
reflection of her thought process.
The strange form could be a reflection of the erratic mindset Fanthorpe feels after not
ending in the role she would have liked.
Key methods used by the writer to convey their ideas:
Extended metaphor of a stage is used to depict the speaker as someone who feels like they are
playing an act or a role- perhaps this is a form of escapism from reality, or a way of them staying
strong in times of hardship…
‘I’m best observed on stage’
Indicates pretence and artifice as the speaker continues to hide their true feelings
throughout- idea of performing a ‘part’ in society, as it seems that holding a façade can be
better than facing reality.
The ‘stage’ is used as a metaphor to demonstrate the ‘minor role’ that the speaker plays in
their own life – they’re constantly listen to others and pleasing others, when really they are
illustrated as being on the verge of breaking.
Poem begins with the first personal pronoun, focusing the attention directly on the speaker
and their desire for the ‘star part’ which they are detached from.
