Main Themes:
One of the predominant themes in this poem is the idea of masculinity
versus femininity. The main way in which Armitage presents this theme
is through the use of personification. The chainsaw is personified
throughout the poem in order to portray several stereotypical aspects of
masculinity, for example:
Inability to refuse a challenge – e.g. “When offered the can / it knocked
back a quarter-pint of engine oil” (stanza 1), with the phrase “knocked
back” implying a grudging desire to complete the task it has been set.
Violent temper – e.g. “No gearing up or getting to speed, just an instant
rage” (stanza 3), which highlights how the chainsaw (and, by extension,
stereotypical men) will very quickly unleash pent up anger (which is not
often expressed until it reaches extremes – another typically masculine
feature).
Overreaction – e.g. “This was the sledgehammer taken to crack the nut
… Overkill” (stanza 5), which suggests that men are prone to reacting in
an extreme manner to things which make them angry, even though this
is not necessary, and may not even be effective (which is seen in this
poem, when the pampas grass grows back).
Sulking – e.g. “Back below stairs on its hook, the chainsaw seethed.”
(stanza 8), which implies that the chainsaw (and, similarly, men), will
remain angry for a long time after the loss of a battle, without moving
on or admitting defeat.
Meanwhile, the pampas grass represents many stereotypical aspects of
femininity, for example (all in stanza 4):
Narcissism – e.g. “The pampas grass with its ludicrous feathers and
plumes”, in which the word “ludicrous” implies that such accessories are
unnecessary and self-centred, suggesting that the pampas grass (and,
by extension, women) has a high opinion of itself.
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, often imposing itself on
others in order to direct their attention towards it.
Preoccupation with physical appearance – e.g. “sunning itself”, which
suggests that women will spend large amounts of time trying to make
themselves look attractive.
In this conflict, it is implied that femininity is victorious against
masculinity, as, in spite of the speaker’s violent attempt to destroy the
pampas grass, it quickly grows back, with the poet stating that “by June it
was … wearing a new crown”, which suggests both that it has defeated
the ‘masculine’ chainsaw (as a “crown”, whether literal or metaphorical,
would clearly mark something out as a ruler or victor) and that such
defeats occur regularly (as the adjective “new” implies that this ‘crown’ is
one of many).
One of the predominant themes in this poem is the idea of masculinity
versus femininity. The main way in which Armitage presents this theme
is through the use of personification. The chainsaw is personified
throughout the poem in order to portray several stereotypical aspects of
masculinity, for example:
Inability to refuse a challenge – e.g. “When offered the can / it knocked
back a quarter-pint of engine oil” (stanza 1), with the phrase “knocked
back” implying a grudging desire to complete the task it has been set.
Violent temper – e.g. “No gearing up or getting to speed, just an instant
rage” (stanza 3), which highlights how the chainsaw (and, by extension,
stereotypical men) will very quickly unleash pent up anger (which is not
often expressed until it reaches extremes – another typically masculine
feature).
Overreaction – e.g. “This was the sledgehammer taken to crack the nut
… Overkill” (stanza 5), which suggests that men are prone to reacting in
an extreme manner to things which make them angry, even though this
is not necessary, and may not even be effective (which is seen in this
poem, when the pampas grass grows back).
Sulking – e.g. “Back below stairs on its hook, the chainsaw seethed.”
(stanza 8), which implies that the chainsaw (and, similarly, men), will
remain angry for a long time after the loss of a battle, without moving
on or admitting defeat.
Meanwhile, the pampas grass represents many stereotypical aspects of
femininity, for example (all in stanza 4):
Narcissism – e.g. “The pampas grass with its ludicrous feathers and
plumes”, in which the word “ludicrous” implies that such accessories are
unnecessary and self-centred, suggesting that the pampas grass (and,
by extension, women) has a high opinion of itself.
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, often imposing itself on
others in order to direct their attention towards it.
Preoccupation with physical appearance – e.g. “sunning itself”, which
suggests that women will spend large amounts of time trying to make
themselves look attractive.
In this conflict, it is implied that femininity is victorious against
masculinity, as, in spite of the speaker’s violent attempt to destroy the
pampas grass, it quickly grows back, with the poet stating that “by June it
was … wearing a new crown”, which suggests both that it has defeated
the ‘masculine’ chainsaw (as a “crown”, whether literal or metaphorical,
would clearly mark something out as a ruler or victor) and that such
defeats occur regularly (as the adjective “new” implies that this ‘crown’ is
one of many).
