Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than...

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Transcript of Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than...

Page 1: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.
Page 2: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

Sparrow

Page 3: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

‘Sparrow’Norman MacCaig

Page 4: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 5: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 6: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Negative comment.

First thing we learn about

the sparrow is something he

is not.

Page 7: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

This sets the tone for the rest of the

poem…

Page 8: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

‘artist’ has connotations of

colour, creativity, dexterity, finesse,

flamboyance, etc…

Page 9: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Right from the opening line, the sparrow’s ‘skills’

are deemed unworthy.

Page 10: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 11: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 12: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Another negative comment. Now

his appearance is being criticised…

Page 13: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

His ‘clothes’ are his feathers.

Page 14: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

They are referred to as ‘more dowdy

than gaudy’.

Dowdy: not stylish; drab; old-fashioned;

unfashionably dressed.

Page 15: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

They are referred to as ‘more dowdy

than gaudy’.

Gaudy: extravagantly

bright or showy; ostentatiously

dressed.

Page 16: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

He is ‘dressed’ in dull colours of

brown and grey.

Page 17: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

He is hardly the most fashionable of

creatures.

Page 18: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.
Page 19: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

more dowdy…

Page 20: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.
Page 21: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

…than gaudy

Page 22: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Keep in mind the negative

connotations of the word ‘gaudy’ for

later in the poem…

Page 23: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 24: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 25: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Now the sparrow’s home is criticised

too…

Page 26: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Now the sparrow’s home is criticised

too…

Page 27: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The bird’s home, according to the

blackbird at least, is referred to as “a

slum”.

Page 28: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Slum: a squalid section of a city, characterised by

inferior living conditions.

Page 29: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The image of the sparrow’s home is therefore one of poverty, squalor and decrepitude.

Page 30: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Only the poorest, most common bird would live there.

A blackbird wouldn’t want to

be associated with such a habitat.

Page 31: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Remember, the nest is the

handiwork of the sparrow himself.

Therefore, his ability to build a home is being derided too.

Page 32: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 33: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Of course, this isn’t the only way in

which the sparrow and blackbird

differ…

Page 34: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The male blackbird is, unsurprisingly, fully ‘clothed’ in

black. Its beak is a bright orange-yellow

colour.

Page 35: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

This, according to the RSPB, “make

adult male blackbirds one of the most striking

garden birds.”

Page 36: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

As a result, the metaphor of the blackbird’s beak

being the gold nib of a pen is

understandable.

Page 37: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

A nib is the end of a fountain pen.

Page 38: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 39: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The movement of the bird, as it flies through the air, is

comparable to a pen writing decoratively

in the air.

Page 40: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The image tells us a lot about the

blackbird itself…

Page 41: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The comparison to a fountain pen, for

example, which is seen more as a luxury item and

used by many as a status symbol.

Page 42: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

A biro, for example, is much cheaper and efficient but doesn’t project a superior

image.

Page 43: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

It’s a case of style over substance. The

value is judged on appearance and

status, not ability or capability…

Page 44: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

…which is key to the central concern of the entire poem.

Page 45: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The fact that the nib is gold accentuates the idea of affluence

of the blackbird.

Page 46: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

A bird with gold certainly wouldn’t be seen dead in a

slum…

Page 47: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Fountain pens are used for calligraphy

(decorative handwriting).

Page 48: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Calligraphy itself is considered an art.

This is another direct contrast to

the sparrow (“he’s no artist”).

Page 49: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The writing the blackbird produces

is ornate and attractive.

Page 50: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Calligraphy is used on wedding

invitations, award, certificates, etc. because of its

beauty, but also to emphasise the

importance of the contents.

Page 51: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

“Pretty scrolls” continues the idea of

ornate, decorative writing.

Page 52: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Scrolls are not written on for

everyday purposes.

Again, form over function.

Page 53: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Also, the first thing I think of when I see the word “scroll” is the certificate you

are awarded at your graduation ceremony.

Page 54: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 55: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Awards and qualifications for

academic success are something that

we will return to later in the poem…

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 56: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 57: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

This stanza begins by making the sparrow seem insignificant.

Page 58: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

He isn’t deft or elegant in his movements.

Page 59: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

His feathers are from bright or decorative.

Page 60: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

His nesting habits are decidedly basic.

Page 61: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The message given is that there is

nothing noteworthy or glamorous about the sparrow at all.

Page 62: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The colloquial, informal “he’s no

artist” introduction seems appropriate

for the sparrow.

Page 63: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

The sparrow is common.

Page 64: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

He certainly doesn’t command, or

perhaps demand, attention like the blackbird does.

Page 65: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He’s no artist.

His taste in clothes is more

dowdy than gaudy.

And his nest – that blackbird, writing

pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,

would call it a slum.

Page 66: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 67: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.A large number of techniques are

used throughout this second stanza…

Page 68: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 69: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 70: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Unlike the opening to the first

stanza, when we were introduced to the sparrow, there is a formality

to the language used here.

Page 71: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Repetition is prevalent through these three lines…

Page 72: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Each line begins in the same way…

Page 73: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Each line begins in the same way…

Page 74: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Each line begins in the same way…

Page 75: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Each line begins in the same way…

Page 76: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Each line begins with infinitives (basic form of a verb – to run, to

fly, etc).

Page 77: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

The verbs used are grand and graceful.

Page 78: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.“To stalk” is to walk in a stiff,

arrogant way. Therefore, there are connotations of superiority and

grandeur.

Page 79: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

“To sing” is obviously a graceful, artistic activity.

Page 80: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.“To glide” is to move in a smooth,

effortless way. Again, a very graceful, artistic movement.

There’s no frantic flapping of wings from these birds.

Page 81: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The repetition of these infinitives serve as a contrast to the sparrow

being “no artist”.

Page 82: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Continuing the parallel structure of

these three lines, the word “solitary” follows each of the

infinitives.

Page 83: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Continuing the parallel structure of

these three lines, the word “solitary” follows each of the

infinitives.

Page 84: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Continuing the parallel structure of

these three lines, the word “solitary” follows each of the

infinitives.

Page 85: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Continuing the parallel structure of

these three lines, the word “solitary” follows each of the

infinitives.

Page 86: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Solitary: alone; without companions.

Page 87: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The repetition of the word

“solitary” emphasises the isolation and aloofness of certain birds.

Page 88: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.They do not wish to be seen with

other birds. They want to command attention in their own

right.

Page 89: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.They may be graceful and elegant, but these birds are left isolated as

a result of their attitude.

Page 90: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.They may be graceful and elegant, but these birds are left isolated as

a result of their attitude.

Page 91: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 92: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The parallel structure continues

with the repetition of prepositional phrases…

Page 93: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The parallel structure continues

with the repetition of prepositional phrases…

Page 94: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The parallel structure continues

with the repetition of prepositional phrases…

Page 95: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The parallel structure continues

with the repetition of prepositional phrases…

Page 96: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Obviously, these are three of the

locations where the ‘stalking’, ‘singing’, ‘gliding’ birds can be

found.

Page 97: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

However, it is notable that these areas grow in size…

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 98: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The ever-increasing areas

emphasise the isolation of these birds…

Page 99: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Being in solitude on a lawn is one

thing, being in solitude while gliding over something as vast as

the Atlantic is quite another.

Page 100: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

The greater the area, the greater the isolation is…

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 101: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 102: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 103: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.As mentioned earlier, the language used to refer to these other birds is

very formal.

Page 104: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.These lines appear to be building

to a climax. Each line increases in length and the descriptions build

from stalking over a lawn to gliding over the Atlantic ocean.

Page 105: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

At this point, a dash is used…

Page 106: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

At this point, a dash is used…

Page 107: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The dash introduces a dramatic pause, as though the finale is

going to be even grander than the bird that glides over the Atlantic…

Page 108: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Instead, what follows the dramatic pause is a huge anti-climax, as the

focus returns to the humble sparrow…

Page 109: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Instead, what follows the dramatic pause is a huge anti-climax, as the

focus returns to the humble sparrow…

Page 110: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.After the grand descriptions of

actions of other birds, what follows is a blunt, simple statement of

“not for him”.

Page 111: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.This is extremely effective, as it reflects the simple nature of the sparrow itself. There is nothing

formal or grand about the sparrow, so why should the language be

any different?

Page 112: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 113: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 114: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.To further emphasise the contrast between the grander birds and the

sparrow, MacCaig offers a description of what the sparrow

can be found doing…

Page 115: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.We are told that the sparrow would “rather” be involved in a punch-up

in the gutter.

Page 116: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The sparrow would happily be

involved in a fight. It isn’t something he would flee from in fear. He would happily scrap for what he believes is necessary.

Page 117: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

There could not be a greater contrast used here.

Page 118: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The other birds’ actions (stalking

singing and gliding) are grand and graceful…

Page 119: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

…while the sparrow’s actions are violent and coarse.

Page 120: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

The other birds’ actions are described using formal language…

Page 121: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.…while the sparrow’s actions are described using a colloquial term:

“punch-up”.

Page 122: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 123: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Even the location is in sharp contrast to the earlier references…

Page 124: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Even the location is in sharp contrast to the earlier references…

Page 125: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.While a gutter is simply a channel at the edge of a street or road, or a trough under a roof for draining rainwater

(places where it would be quite conceivable to find a sparrow fighting

other birds for scraps of food)…

Page 126: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.…it also has very negative connotations

of a dirty, degrading place where the lowest classes of humanity end up.

Page 127: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

It’s also a very informal, colloquial term.

Page 128: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 129: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 130: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.Indeed, the whole sentence is structured

to directly contrast with what came before.

Page 131: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.As well as the blunt “not for him” and

the colloquial “punch-up” and “gutter”, there is the shortened, conversational

“he’d”.

Page 132: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.As well as the blunt “not for him” and

the colloquial “punch-up” and “gutter”, there is the shortened, conversational

“he’d”.

Page 133: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.The informal word choice and sentence structure reflect the ordinary nature of

the sparrow.

Page 134: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

To stalk solitary on lawns,

to sing solitary in midnight trees,

to glide solitary over grey Atlantics –

not for him: he’d rather

a punch-up in the gutter.

Page 135: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Page 136: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

The third stanza focuses on the sparrow’s apparent lack of education…

Page 137: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Page 138: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

MacCaig suggests that the sparrow economises in what he knows. In terms

of learning, it has retained very little.

Page 139: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Again, MacCaig effectively uses poetic techniques to emphasise the point being

made…

Page 140: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Again, MacCaig effectively uses poetic techniques to emphasise the point being

made…

Page 141: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

The word “lightly” stands out for a number of reasons…

Page 142: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Firstly, placing the adverb “lightly” at the end of the clause makes it more

notable.

(compare: ‘he carefully opened the box’ / ‘he opened the box carefully’)

Page 143: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

MacCaig effectively uses enjambment to further emphasise his point…

Page 144: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Enjambment: the running over of a sentence from one line of verse into the

next.

Page 145: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

As a result, the word “lightly” now appears at the start of the next line.

Followed by a dash, the word stands out for all to see.

Page 146: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

MacCaig is emphasising that the sparrow is not weighed down with

learning. It retains very little of what it has been educated in.

Page 147: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Page 148: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Page 149: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

After stating that the sparrow economises in what he knows, MacCaig identifies the learning that the sparrow

retains.

Page 150: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

The sparrow retains only what is useful for day-to-day survival.

Page 151: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

The sparrow does not have the academic ability of the other birds.

Therefore, he has to be selective with the information that he retains.

Page 152: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

He judges the worth of what he learns by how useful it is.

Page 153: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

He judges the worth of what he learns by how useful it is.

Page 154: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Skills such as the ability to glide, to sing, to write pretty scrolls in the air may be impressive, but they are not practical skills that are necessary for survival.

Page 155: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

In other words, they are not useful.

Page 156: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

“result”, found at the end of the line, is very notable…

Page 157: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

“result” continues the idea of academic performance: results from the

examinations we sit when being assessed on our academic ability.

Page 158: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

However, the only “result” the sparrow is interested in is survival. He is not

concerned with his ‘results’ in singing or gliding…

Page 159: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

However, the only “result” the sparrow is interested in is survival. He is not

concerned with his ‘results’ in singing or gliding…

Page 160: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Page 161: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Page 162: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

The stanza concludes with a couple of short, negative sentences, reflecting the simple, ordinary nature of the sparrow…

Page 163: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Both sentences are minor sentences as they are lacking a verb or verb phrase (so technically not proper sentences). Therefore, they continue the informal language used when referring to the

sparrow.

Page 164: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

The sparrow is described as being a “proletarian” bird…

Page 165: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Proletarian: belonging to the lower or working class; the class of wage-earners

whose only possession of significant material is their labour.

Page 166: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Again, this is an effective description. The sparrow is common. If a human, he

most certainly would be considered working-class. He does not have the

education, skill or grace required to be part of the upper classes.

Page 167: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

The stanza ends as the poem began – a simple, negative statement of what the

sparrow is not.

Page 168: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Sandwiched between being identified as “no artist” and “No scholar”, the sparrow’s appearance, skills and

learning have all been looked down upon.

Page 169: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

At this point, the poem appears to have been rounded off quite nicely…

Page 170: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

He carries what learning he has

lightly – it is, in fact, based only

on the usefulness whose result

is survival. A proletarian bird.

No scholar.

Page 171: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Page 172: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Page 173: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

However, the opening word of the fourth

stanza introduces a

change in direction.

Page 174: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The first three stanzas may

not have compared the

sparrow favourably to

the other birds, but the

“But” suggests that this may be

about to change…

Page 175: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Page 176: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Page 177: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

MacCaig effectively

uses personification when referring to the arrival of winter…

Page 178: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

MacCaig describes

winter as soft-shoeing in.

This makes it sound

secretive, as though winter has crept up behind the

birds without them noticing.

Page 179: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The use of sibilance adds to the image

of winter softly creeping in…

Page 180: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The use of sibilance adds to the image

of winter softly creeping in…

Page 181: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Sibilance: repetition of the ‘s’ or ‘sh’

sound.

Page 182: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

This is quite an apt image, as winter quite often creeps

up on us without any warning…

Page 183: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

There is also irony in the

fact that soft-shoe is a type

of dance. Soft-shoe is a silent version

of tap-dancing. Soft

shoes are worn by highland dancers.

Page 184: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

There is also irony in the

fact that soft-shoe is a type

of dance. Soft-shoe is a silent version

of tap-dancing. Soft

shoes are worn by highland dancers.

Page 185: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Page 186: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Page 187: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Parenthesis is effectively utilised by MacCaig here…

Page 188: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The other birds are

identified as “ballet

dancers, musicians, architects”.

Page 189: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The “ballet dancers” are the graceful birds who

glide in flight. Both have great poise

and beauty in their

movements.

Page 190: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The “musicians” are the birds who make beautiful

‘music’ with their songs.

Page 191: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The “architects” are the birds

who build impressive

nests.

Page 192: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

These are very effective

images of the different birds.

Page 193: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

MacCaig expertly

guides the reader into seeing the comparison

between birds and mankind.

Page 194: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

“ballet dancers,

musicians, architects” are seen as high-fliers (sorry,

couldn’t resist!). They are certainly not jobs held

by the working-class.

Page 195: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The change in direction is revealed.

Page 196: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The other birds, despite all their grace and beauty, are the ones who fail to survive the

harsh conditions of

winter.

Page 197: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The image of birds dying in the snow and being frozen to braches is harsh is itself.

Page 198: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

These birds may have beautiful

songs and glide

majestically across the sky,

but they do not have the

practical skills necessary to

survive.

Page 199: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

This reflects society itself. Some people have beauty and graceful movements,

but they don’t have the

practical skills necessary to deal with the harsh realities

of life.

Page 200: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Page 201: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Page 202: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Once again, MacCaig

utilises the contrast

between the sparrow and

the other birds…

Page 203: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The sparrow, unlike the

other birds, manages to survive the

winter.

Page 204: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

He has the practical skills necessary to survive the

harsh conditions.

Page 205: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

The learning he carries lightly has

proved to be more

important than skills that the

other birds enjoy showing

off.

Page 206: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

MacCaig once again makes reference to

education and academic

performance.

Page 207: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

MacCaig once again makes reference to

education and academic

performance.

Page 208: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

O-levels and A-levels are

qualifications earned by pupils at

school. Our current

equivalent would be Standard

Grades and Highers.

Page 209: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

There is a humorous irony used here. The

sparrow is far from the

brightest bird in terms of the

‘academic’ skills that it

has.

Page 210: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

It wouldn’t achieve A-

level music or A-level writing, that’s for sure.

Page 211: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

However, if practical skills

were assessed, the sparrow would

pass quite comfortably.

Page 212: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Indeed, he would pass with ‘flying’

colours! (sorry…)

Page 213: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

But when winter soft-shoes in

and these other birds –

ballet dancers, musicians, architects –

die in the snow

and freeze to branches,

watch him happily flying

on the O-levels and A-levels

of the air.

Page 214: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.
Page 215: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

Commentary…

Page 216: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

Sparrow begins by making the bird seem insignificant. Words like “dowdy” and “slum” suggest that there is nothing noteworthy or creative about the sparrow’s plumage or nesting habits. The poet continues to emphasise the ordinary nature of the sparrow in the colloquial language that one of this type might use: “a punch-up in the gutter”. By contrast, the blackbird demands attention in his writing in the air; the words “pretty scrolls” and the image of the “gold nib” of a pen (beak) suggest ornate writing which is attractive.

Page 217: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

This slang contrasts to the formality of the first three lines of stanza two in the repeated structure of “to stalk”, “to sing” and “to glide”. Each of these infinitives emphasises the isolation of grander birds who cover spaces which grow increasingly larger – from lawns to trees to “grey Atlantics”. The poet suggests that the sparrow economises in what he knows – keeping with him only what is useful for day-to-day survival. The position of the word “lightly” at the beginning of line thirteen emphasises this quality and “proletarian” reinforces the idea that the sparrow is common, one of the masses. Finally, the short negative phrase “No scholar” at the end of stanza three leaves the reader in no doubt about the absence of academic achievement in the bird. The brevity of this phrase and its position at this point in the poem summarises what has been expressed in the first three stanzas and harkens back to the first line: the sparrow is “no artist” but it is ordinary in its appearance, its way of life and its accomplishments.

Page 218: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

However, the word “but” signals a change in the direction and ideas of the poem. Once again, the poet invites us to compare the sparrow to other more accomplished birds – artists of air and space, “ballet dancers, musicians, architects”. These birds can charm by their flight, by their songs and even by the way they construct their nests. The personification of winter as a secret enemy, emphasised in the sibilant sounds of words “soft-shoes”, introduces the element of danger. The sinister and sudden appearance of winter is followed by words with bleak connotations. The pictures of birds dying in the snow or, even more dramatically, freezing to death on branches reminds us that the practical skills of survival have their own value.

Page 219: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

The poet ends on a lighter note with the sparrow, again in contrast to other birds, surviving happily in the testing times of winter. The “O-levels and A-levels of the air”, as well as other expressions like “punch-up in the gutter” and “proletarian bird”, and even some of the exaggerated contrasts, remind us that the tone here is a bit tongue-in-cheek. The poet is not offering us a serious lesson to take to heart; just a suggestion that maybe some practical skills are as important at the end of the day as aesthetic, creative, scholastic accomplishments. After all, daily survival is the essential ingredient for life before we begin decorating our existence with scrolls and songs.

Page 220: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

MacCaig effectively uses word choice, images and structure to establish a contrast between the sparrow and other birds. The sparrow, lacking in grace or beauty, has the practical skills to survive when conditions become tough. He is happy to scrap for food, even if that means “a punch-up in the gutter”, in order to survive the winter.

Page 221: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.

The comparison between birds and mankind is clear in this poem. Many people are blessed with beauty, aesthetic skills and academic ability. They are decorated with awards as a result. Some may become arrogant and aloof as a result. However, the awards are meaningless if they do not have the practical skills to survive life.

Page 222: Sparrow ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls.