‘GLASGOW 5 TH MARCH, 1971’ by Edwin Morgan

General Information before you can even think of going into the exam you must know this poem really well – not just roughly what it is about before you can even think of going into the exam you must know this poem really well – not just roughly what it is about commit to memory the ideas created commit to memory the ideas created know the language/vocabulary that highlight these ideas (inc. techniques) know the language/vocabulary that highlight these ideas (inc. techniques) be aware of social concerns about the events depicted in the poem (eg. themes) be aware of social concerns about the events depicted in the poem (eg. themes)

Form v Content One of the most startling things to remember about this poem is the way it is written. 7 sentences - statements of fact 7 sentences - statements of fact no rhyme no rhyme no rhythm no rhythm no stanzas no stanzas newspaper column layout newspaper column layout objective style objective style present tense throughout - sense of immediacy present tense throughout - sense of immediacy

Form v Content The form is in stark contrast to the horrifying content and this gives the poem its emotional impact. no obvious emotion is displayed no obvious emotion is displayed clinical, objective, matter-of-fact statements clinical, objective, matter-of-fact statements highlighting decline in moral standards, the disintegration of society highlighting decline in moral standards, the disintegration of society

Realism  Glasgow is a real place  Sauchiehall Street is a real location  The events depicted could have happened and are happening anywhere/everywhere

Instamatic captures a moment in time captures a moment in time photograph (title) photograph (title) focus (tight/concise) focus (tight/concise) powerful powerful immediate immediate

The Message written over 30yrs ago written over 30yrs ago is the situation in society even worse now? is the situation in society even worse now?

The message The form is important in highlighting the theme but techniques are used to emphasise the events: The form is important in highlighting the theme but techniques are used to emphasise the events: Imagery Imagerymetaphor “bristling with fragments of glass” (metaphorical beard of glass)– pain, tingling (onomatopoeia) “starfished” – illustration of young people, vulnerable, exposed, delicate

Word Choice Always remember that words themselves are never shocking/horrifying it is the more subtle connotation of the word that conjures up these images of pain, terror and danger. “caught” – not shocking - connotations “caught” – not shocking - connotations “arterial” – connotations of life blood “arterial” – connotations of life blood “beginning” – more to come “beginning” – more to come

Word Choice hospital reference/imagery Throughout the poem there are subtle hints of the pain the couple are suffering and the pain that is going to continue if they are to survive the attack. Throughout the poem there are subtle hints of the pain the couple are suffering and the pain that is going to continue if they are to survive the attack. “White coat” – doctors/surgeons “White coat” – doctors/surgeons “operation” – doctors/surgeons/operating theatre “operation” – doctors/surgeons/operating theatre “smartly” – clinical/detached like a surgeon “smartly” – clinical/detached like a surgeon

Remember Violent act Violent act Social apathy Social apathy Decline in morals Decline in morals Shattered dreams Shattered dreams Ruined lives Ruined lives Indifference Indifference Fear Fear Sympathy Sympathy