1. Edwin Morgan - Final Question
Study card at quizlet.com – search for wlmcarter

2. Symbolism Trio In the Snack Bar
Three young people (young man and two girls) symbolise protection from bad luck
‘cloud of happiness’
‘monsters of the year… can’t bear this march of three’
In the Snack Bar
The old man’s ascent of the stairs symbolises the human ability to overcome great difficulties
“he climbs… he climbs, we climb’
“The persisting patience of the undefeated which is the nature of man”

3. Realistic Characters
Morgan’s poems are full of realistic characters. Explain how the characters in in ‘Good Friday’ and at least one other poem are made realistic.

4. Realistic Characters
‘His stick, once painted white, but scuffed and muddy’
(Snack) realistic detail about the blind man’s stick – indicates that he is poor and neglected
‘The trickle of his water is thin and slow’
(Snack) Description of the old man’s urination is a level of realism most poets would not attempt
‘I’m no saying it’s right, ye understand – ye understand’
(Friday) realistic speech with repetition suggests the drunk man’s struggle to make himself understood / say exactly what he wants to
‘the working man has nae education… he’s jist bliddy ignorant’
(Friday) use of dialect words – uncommon in literature – Morgan wants to present life as it is and people as they really are

5. Imagery
Morgan’s poems are full of memorable imagery. Explain how the imagery in ‘In the Snack Bar’ and at least one other poem is made memorable.

6. Imagery 'like a monstrous animal caught in a tent in some story‘
(Snack) Simile: compares old man's flapping raincoat to tent - suggests he is freakish / inhuman / terrifying
'his mountainous coat, his hands like wet leaves'
(Snack) metaphor + simile - suggests his enormous size, almost repulsive appearance and weakness
'Their breath rises in a cloud of happiness'
(Trio) Metaphor - suggests the intensity of their happiness, so powerful that it can be seen as a physical cloud
'Laughter ringing round them like a guard'
(Trio) Simile - the happy sound of the laughter is given a physical presence like soldiers guarding them and the narrator from harm