Wednesday, March 26, 2008



Killing The Pig

§ A concentrated and uncompromising description of the slaughter of a pig that is trimmed of any niceties – certainly not for the squeamish – strongly appeals to our sense of hearing
§ Dramatic opening – introduces and attracts our attention to the sound – description of pig being dragged – brutally real – cacophonous language
§ Sympathises with pig – describes their mental suffering and awareness of their fate – describes their determined resistance
§ Attempts to convey nature of noise – admits that each metaphor is alone insufficient but all four together capture the exertion, resistance, despair, etc… of the pig’s last sounds
§ Sudden halt in rhythm of poem – “thump” – sound effects – use of sibilance and onomatopoeia to convey unemotional efficiency of the slaughter and butcher
§ Image of child playing – representing innocence and unquestioning acceptance – also suggestion that violence leaves a lasting impression on place

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