Hotel Room, 12th Floor - Mrs Sutherland's English Classroom



Hotel Room, 12th Floor

Answer in as much detail as possible, quoting where appropriate:

1. “This morning I watched from here”

a) What time of day is mentioned?

b) What tense does the writer use?  

2. “skirting, like a damaged insect”

Explain how the simile above helps you to picture:

a) The way the helicopter moves

b) The sound the helicopter would make

 

3. Quote another image which the poet uses in lines 1 – 5 and explain how this helps to create a negative, uneasy tone to the poem

 

4. Re-read lines 5-9: the image is of darkness being held at bay by light.

 a) Quote a phrase that shows this.

b) Explain in your own words what you think the poet means by the phrase “uncivilised darkness”

5. Look at lines 10 – 15.

a) Quote two examples of things the poet can hear and explain what is making those sounds

b)  “Chose one of the two words or phrases you quoted for answer 4a and explain how it helps you to imagine what is going on outside on the streets

6. “the glittering canyons and gulches” (line 14) 

a) Identify two contrasting words or images in the line above

b) Explain why you think the poet chose to include this contrast and how effectively you think he uses it

 

7. “The frontier is never

somewhere else. And no stockades

can keep the midnight out”

Explain, in your own words, what you think the writer means by this

 

8. Think about the poem as a whole. How effectively do you think the poet uses contrasting images to suggest to the reader that no matter how technologically advanced we may become, we are still at heart savages? Include evidence from the poem in your answer.

Task 2 – Make notes to answer the following questions

1. How does MacCaig create a sense of menace in the opening stanza? Quote and comment on at least three examples of word choice and imagery in your answer.

2. Look again at the two references to “midnight” in the poem. What do you think this is supposed to represent? Explain how you arrived at your answer.

3. How does the poet create an atmosphere of violence in stanza two? Refer to at least 3 examples in your analysis.

4. The poet uses an extended metaphor to describe New York in this poem. What does he compare New York to? Quote examples that create this extended metaphor and explain why this comparison is effective.

5. What do you think the poet’s final message is in the closing three lines?

6.

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