Norman MacCaigNorman MacCaig

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

UnderstandingUnderstanding

After reading through the poem, After reading through the poem, write down what you think is write down what you think is happening in the poem.happening in the poem.

Themes Themes

Do you notice any themes at this Do you notice any themes at this stage?stage?

Stanza 1Stanza 1

How does the poet help us be there How does the poet help us be there with him, in our minds?with him, in our minds?

What do the lines “The hospital What do the lines “The hospital smell…bobbing along.” tell us about smell…bobbing along.” tell us about the effect of the hospital smell on the the effect of the hospital smell on the poet?poet?

What are the connotations of the What are the connotations of the colours green and yellow in this colours green and yellow in this context?context?

Stanza 1Stanza 1 The poet is making his way along the hospital The poet is making his way along the hospital

corridor to ward 7 where his seriously ill relative corridor to ward 7 where his seriously ill relative lies.lies.

In stanza 1, the scene is set by reference to the In stanza 1, the scene is set by reference to the poet’s senses.poet’s senses.

The ‘hospital smell’ is typical of most peoples The ‘hospital smell’ is typical of most peoples experience of hospitals.experience of hospitals.

The poet creates mood through his word choice – The poet creates mood through his word choice – “combs my nostrils.”“combs my nostrils.”

Suggests the smell is so pungent and unpleasant Suggests the smell is so pungent and unpleasant to him that it reaches right up into his nose hairs.to him that it reaches right up into his nose hairs.

““green…yellow” suggests colours of vomit, pus – green…yellow” suggests colours of vomit, pus – again emphasises his discomfort and again emphasises his discomfort and unpleasantness of visit.unpleasantness of visit.

Stanza 1Stanza 1

SYNECDOCHESYNECDOCHE Lines 2/3 “nostrils…bobbing along”Lines 2/3 “nostrils…bobbing along” Of course his whole body is moving along Of course his whole body is moving along

the corridor – not just his nostrils.the corridor – not just his nostrils. The synecdoche focuses attention on the The synecdoche focuses attention on the

nostrils in order to strengthen the idea of nostrils in order to strengthen the idea of the hospital smell being so overpowering, the hospital smell being so overpowering, all other senses are blocked out.all other senses are blocked out.

Stanza 2Stanza 2

““What seems a What seems a corpsecorpse

is is trundledtrundled into a lift and into a lift and vanishesvanishes

heavenwardheavenward.”.”

What do the words in bold tell you What do the words in bold tell you about the poet’s mood at this point?about the poet’s mood at this point?

What is the effect of enjambment?What is the effect of enjambment?

Stanza 2Stanza 2 We know what is on his mind as when he sees the We know what is on his mind as when he sees the

trolley, he immediately assumes it is a dead body.trolley, he immediately assumes it is a dead body. ““vanishes heavenward” – in fact goes up in a lift, vanishes heavenward” – in fact goes up in a lift,

but as far as poet is concerned, its on its last but as far as poet is concerned, its on its last journey.journey.

He is clearly worried about his sick relative – has He is clearly worried about his sick relative – has he come too late?he come too late?

Enjambment – the effect is to emphasise the last Enjambment – the effect is to emphasise the last word of the line (his thoughts of death and finality)word of the line (his thoughts of death and finality)

““Trundled” suggests the lack of care taken by the Trundled” suggests the lack of care taken by the porter – as if the poet thinks there is no point porter – as if the poet thinks there is no point taking care as the person is dead. Supports his taking care as the person is dead. Supports his feeling of hopelessnessfeeling of hopelessness..

Stanza 3Stanza 3

The poet repeats the words “I will not The poet repeats the words “I will not feel.” To whom do you think he may feel.” To whom do you think he may be saying these words and why?be saying these words and why?

How does the repetition and rhythm How does the repetition and rhythm add to the overall effect of the verse?add to the overall effect of the verse?

Explain the last line of this stanza.Explain the last line of this stanza.

Stanza 3Stanza 3 The poet appears to be talking to himself.The poet appears to be talking to himself. The repetition intensifies the control he is The repetition intensifies the control he is

trying to impose on himself, denying his trying to impose on himself, denying his feelings as they are too painful.feelings as they are too painful.

Together with the staccato rhythm of this Together with the staccato rhythm of this short verse with its monosyllabic words, short verse with its monosyllabic words, the repetition heightens the atmosphere of the repetition heightens the atmosphere of tension.tension.

The last line shows the poet making a The last line shows the poet making a conscious effort to be detached – he conscious effort to be detached – he knows he will have to face up to the knows he will have to face up to the situation eventually, but not yet.situation eventually, but not yet.

Stanza 4Stanza 4

Comment on the syntax (word order) Comment on the syntax (word order) of the line “here and up and down and of the line “here and up and down and there.” What effect does it achieve?there.” What effect does it achieve?

What is the effect of the linking word What is the effect of the linking word ‘and’?‘and’?

What do these details tell us about the What do these details tell us about the poet’s attitude to the nurses?poet’s attitude to the nurses?

What does he reveal about himself in What does he reveal about himself in his observations of the nurses?his observations of the nurses?

Stanza 4Stanza 4 This verse gives the sense of bustle in a busy This verse gives the sense of bustle in a busy

hospital through the description of the nurses.hospital through the description of the nurses. Unusual syntax in line 12 highlights the Unusual syntax in line 12 highlights the

ubiquitous (appear to be everywhere) nature of ubiquitous (appear to be everywhere) nature of the nurses, as if they are everywhere at once.the nurses, as if they are everywhere at once.

The repetition of “and” emphasises the distance The repetition of “and” emphasises the distance the nurses cover and gives an impression of the the nurses cover and gives an impression of the speed they move at.speed they move at.

There is a contrast in how the nurses and the There is a contrast in how the nurses and the poet cope with death. “Burden” conveys the poet cope with death. “Burden” conveys the extent of his anguish, yet the nurses are able to extent of his anguish, yet the nurses are able to deal with many deaths “their eyes clear”.deal with many deaths “their eyes clear”.

Stanza 5Stanza 5

Comment on the effect of the full stop in Comment on the effect of the full stop in “Ward 7.” Also, what is the effect of the “Ward 7.” Also, what is the effect of the use of the numeral 7?use of the numeral 7?

Find 3 examples of metaphor in this verse Find 3 examples of metaphor in this verse and explain the comparison being made, and explain the comparison being made,

how appropriate the image/metaphor is, how appropriate the image/metaphor is, what is the effect it has/connotations?what is the effect it has/connotations?

Comment on the use of enjambment in Comment on the use of enjambment in lines 29-30.lines 29-30.

Stanza 5Stanza 5 ““She lies/in a cave of white forgetfulness.”She lies/in a cave of white forgetfulness.” The bed is screened off by a white curtain like a The bed is screened off by a white curtain like a

cave. “Forgetfulness” because she is barely cave. “Forgetfulness” because she is barely conscious.conscious.

It is appropriate because she is cut off from the It is appropriate because she is cut off from the rest of the ward as effectively as if she were in a rest of the ward as effectively as if she were in a cave on the side of a cliff. Due to the coma, she cave on the side of a cliff. Due to the coma, she cannot communicate with the poet, nor he with cannot communicate with the poet, nor he with her.her.

The poet is immediately aware that she is not The poet is immediately aware that she is not accessible to him, or him to her. “White” adds to accessible to him, or him to her. “White” adds to the feeling of inaccessibility, as if he is seeing her the feeling of inaccessibility, as if he is seeing her through a white haze or white noise – which through a white haze or white noise – which impedes communication.impedes communication.

Stanza 5Stanza 5 ““A withered hand/trembles on its stalk,”A withered hand/trembles on its stalk,” ““Withered” is appropriate as she is dying and Withered” is appropriate as she is dying and

“stalk” suggests the weakness and thinness of “stalk” suggests the weakness and thinness of her armher arm

The trembling hand and eyes moving behind The trembling hand and eyes moving behind eyelids are her fluttering uncontrolled attempts to eyelids are her fluttering uncontrolled attempts to reach him, so he too, is alone with his pain.reach him, so he too, is alone with his pain.

The enjambment emphasises the heaviness of The enjambment emphasises the heaviness of the patient’s eyelids and the effort she is making the patient’s eyelids and the effort she is making to open them, to communicate with him.to open them, to communicate with him.

The flower image gives a sense of fragility and The flower image gives a sense of fragility and her beauty in the eyes of the poet who looks at her beauty in the eyes of the poet who looks at her with love.her with love.

Stanza 5Stanza 5 ““Into an arm wasted/of colour a glass fang Into an arm wasted/of colour a glass fang

is fixed/not guzzling but giving.”is fixed/not guzzling but giving.” Vampire image intensified by alliteration conveys Vampire image intensified by alliteration conveys

his abhorrence at the sight of the drip feeding his abhorrence at the sight of the drip feeding blood into her arm.blood into her arm.

He sees the needle as a fang biting into her arm, He sees the needle as a fang biting into her arm, like a vampire drinking her blood.like a vampire drinking her blood.

““wasted of colour” adds to impression that blood wasted of colour” adds to impression that blood is being taken rather than given.is being taken rather than given.

Effectively conveys his pity for the suffering of the Effectively conveys his pity for the suffering of the patient, his distress and the feeling that the patient, his distress and the feeling that the whole process is pointless and intrusive.whole process is pointless and intrusive.

Stanza 5Stanza 5 ““And between her and me/distance/that And between her and me/distance/that

neither she nor I/can cross.”neither she nor I/can cross.” He bends to kiss her but she doesn’t respond.He bends to kiss her but she doesn’t respond. She is alone with her pain which has formed an She is alone with her pain which has formed an

invisible barrier between them.invisible barrier between them. The image conveys his feeling of desolation The image conveys his feeling of desolation

and hopelessness at the inability to reach her.and hopelessness at the inability to reach her. His isolation is emphasised by the enjambment His isolation is emphasised by the enjambment

– “I” poised at the end of the line.– “I” poised at the end of the line.

Stanza 6Stanza 6

How has the poet changed from the way How has the poet changed from the way he was at the beginning of the poem?he was at the beginning of the poem?

Comment on the effectiveness of:Comment on the effectiveness of:

The metaphor in line 34The metaphor in line 34

Pun (play on words) in line 35Pun (play on words) in line 35

Paradox ( two opposing ideas) in line 37Paradox ( two opposing ideas) in line 37

Oxymoron (contradiction) in line 38 andOxymoron (contradiction) in line 38 and

Alliteration in line 38.Alliteration in line 38.

Stanza 6Stanza 6 When the bell rings at the end of visiting When the bell rings at the end of visiting

hour, he leaves in a highly emotional state.hour, he leaves in a highly emotional state. MetaphorMetaphor – “ – “clumsily rises/in the roundclumsily rises/in the round

swimming waves of a bell.”swimming waves of a bell.” he escapes from he escapes from his distress like a drowning man to dry land. his distress like a drowning man to dry land.

His self control has collapsed as he now His self control has collapsed as he now stumbles “clumsily” from the ward.stumbles “clumsily” from the ward.

““swimming” could suggest his eyes filled swimming” could suggest his eyes filled with tears, as well as his head swimming with tears, as well as his head swimming with the emotion of the experience.with the emotion of the experience.

Stanza 6Stanza 6 PunPun “growing fainter”“growing fainter” – the poet would grow – the poet would grow

fainter with distance from the patient and he is so fainter with distance from the patient and he is so upset he feels faint.upset he feels faint.

ParadoxParadox “Books that will not be read” and “Books that will not be read” and OxymoronOxymoron “Fruitless fruits” intensify his distress “Fruitless fruits” intensify his distress

and confusion.and confusion. She is beyond his reach and he can do nothing for She is beyond his reach and he can do nothing for

her. She is past reading or eating. He has gone her. She is past reading or eating. He has gone through the motions of a visit but knows his through the motions of a visit but knows his presence has made no difference to the final presence has made no difference to the final outcome.outcome.

AlliterationAlliteration intensifies the futility of the intensifies the futility of the situation.situation.

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

The The themesthemes of this poem are facing death of this poem are facing death (both of the patient and the loss of a loved (both of the patient and the loss of a loved one), inevitability of death (it is impossible one), inevitability of death (it is impossible to stop) and problems of communication.to stop) and problems of communication.

It is written in It is written in FREE VERSEFREE VERSE (it has no (it has no pattern or rhyme)pattern or rhyme)

It is written in the It is written in the FIRST PERSONFIRST PERSON – poet – poet can express his feelings from the inside, can express his feelings from the inside, which an observer would be unable to which an observer would be unable to detect. We see his feelings as genuine.detect. We see his feelings as genuine.

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESSSTREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS (speaking (speaking to oneself, an interior monologue) style to oneself, an interior monologue) style makes us sympathise with the poet as we makes us sympathise with the poet as we can put ourselves in his position and can put ourselves in his position and identify with his feelings.identify with his feelings.

We arrive with him, walk through the We arrive with him, walk through the corridor with him and leave with him – this corridor with him and leave with him – this increases the emotional impact of poem.increases the emotional impact of poem.

We follow the build up and release of his We follow the build up and release of his feelings.feelings.

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

The overall structure contributes to the The overall structure contributes to the atmosphere and mood.atmosphere and mood.

Stanzas 1-3 are short, staccato and create Stanzas 1-3 are short, staccato and create a sense of place, atmosphere and the a sense of place, atmosphere and the poet’s feelingspoet’s feelings

Stanza 4 – sense of busy hospitalStanza 4 – sense of busy hospital Stanza 5 – main action, sense of hush in Stanza 5 – main action, sense of hush in

the presence of dying woman.the presence of dying woman. Stanza6 – opening of floodgates of poet’s Stanza6 – opening of floodgates of poet’s

emotions in face of his inevitable loss.emotions in face of his inevitable loss.

Visiting HourVisiting Hour

Think about…Think about… Is it less of an ordeal for the dying Is it less of an ordeal for the dying

person than the one left behind?person than the one left behind? Dying is something we have to do Dying is something we have to do

alone, despite being surrounded by alone, despite being surrounded by loved ones?loved ones?

How realistic do you find the poet’s How realistic do you find the poet’s feelings?feelings?