1. Hitcher
Simon Armitage

2. What sort of person is a Hitcher?

3. Read the poem aloud What is the poem about?
It is first person dramatic monologue – what does this mean?
What tone of voice should be used when reading the poem?

4. Stanza 1
Whose voice is on the ansaphone? What impression to we gain about the speaker based on this message?
What else do we learn about the narrator is the opening stanza? What sort of job do you think he does?

5. Stanza 2 The hitcher is a free-spirit. Find evidence to support this.
The song Blowin’ in the Wind’ was written and sung by Bob Dylan in 1960s and was about the freedom from material possessions.

6. Stanza 3 The first line stands out. Why is this?
The word ‘krooklok’ is a tool for locking wheel-nuts. How does this word sound violent?
What does the line ‘didn’t even swerve’ suggest about the narrator?

7. Stanza 4
What does the word ‘bouncing’ suggest about the speaker’s attitude?
What does the fourth line suggest about the two men?

8. Stanza 5
The weather is mentioned in Stanza 1 and again on line 3 in Stanza 5. How does this apply to how the speaker feels?
Look at the imperative verb on line 4. Why do you think the speaker is angry with the hitcher?

9. Was it a spontaneous crime OR Was it planned
Was it a spontaneous crime OR Was it planned? Give evidence to support your view.

10. What are the similarities and differences between the two men?
The Speaker
The Hitcher

11. Structure
The poem is arranged in five stanzas with fives lines each. There is evidence of rhymes and half-rhymes: ‘fired’ and ‘hired’. But, with the use of enjambment, when read aloud, there is the impression of natural speech.