Out of the Blue
16
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
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Transcript of Out of the Blue
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem
‘Out of the Blue’
1. Where have you heard this saying before?
2. Has anything ever happened to you ‘out of the blue’?
3. Was it a positive or negative experience?
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
1. Read through the poem ‘Extract from Out of the Blue’ by Simon Armitage.
2. What do you think that this ‘extract’ is about?
3. Do you think that this poem is about a positive ‘out of the blue’ experience or a negative ‘out of the blue’ experience?
4. Why? Highlight any positive words/imagery in one colour and any negative words imagery in another colour.
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
Look what happened ‘Out of the Blue’ on the 11th September 2001…
1. The poem is spoken by a victim of the 9/11 terrorist attack in 2001
2. He describes being in one of the burning buildings. He is talking to someone watching this on TV.
3. He is pleading for help, but it’s useless. He is going to die.
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
You have picked me out.Through a distant shot of a building burningyou have noticed nowthat a white cotton shirt is twirling, turning.
The reader is watching the events on TV.
Alliteration- emphasises the distance from the people on the ground.
Gentle, calm movements-this is misleading.
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
In fact I am waving, waving.Small in the clouds, but waving, waving.Does anyone see a soul worth saving?
Repetition- emphasises the regular movement.
He thinks that people are able to help, but they won’t.
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
So when will you come?Do you think you are watching, watchinga man shaking crumbsor pegging out washing?
Ordinary action contrasts the serious
events.
He is expecting to be rescued. Repetition- But no
one is coming to save him
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
I am trying and trying.The heat behind me is bullying, driving,but the white of surrender is not yet flying.I am not at the point of launching, diving.
Energetic words to describe the flames
A reminder that he has been waving a white shirt. Has his
hope been surrendered?
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
A bird goes by.The depth is appalling. Appallingthat others like meshould be wind-milling, wheeling, spiralling, falling.
Out of control movement.
Usually a peaceful image, but it shows that he is high
up in the sky.
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
Are your eyes believing,believingthere in the gillsI am still breathing.
Suggest a fish gasping for air.
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
But tiring, tiring.Sirens below me are wailing, firing.My arm is numb and my nerves are sagging.Do you see me, my love. I am failing, flagging.
Onomatopoeia- the noise ofthe emergency vehicles. He is desperate.
His loved ones, are they watching on TV?
He was waving a flag for help, but now he has lost hope.
L.O To examine the form, structure and language in the poem ‘Out of the Blue’
• Form- its like a elegy, a sad poem about someone who has died. The poem is full of rhyming words. This helps to create the sadness
• Structure- in the final four stanzas the voice is more urgent as the danger gets closer and the hope is fading. He becomes more desperate.
• Language- ‘ing’ verbs (present continuous) gives the feeling that the tragedy is happening – like watching it on TV.
• The narrator is asking for help but cant understand why he isn't being rescued.
1. What is significant about the narrator waving a white shirt?
2. What does the narrator describe he can see and how does he react?
3. Why effect does the poet have addressing you as a reader directly?
4. The narrator feels insignificant. Why?
5. There are 2 meanings of 'flagging'.
Why does Simon Armitage use this as the last word of the poem?
