Harry Wood Analysis
‘Harry Wood’
Pun – explain both meanings 1) What evidence is there in the first stanza of Harry Wood’s struggle for survival?
Harry Wood’s struggle for survival is clearly revealed in the first stanza through the use of the pun “digging his way out of poverty” as he literally worked hard in the “mines” and metaphorically worked extremely hard to earn money to climb the social hierarchy from the bottom of social class “mines” to a reasonable position “foreman’s place”
2) What does the second stanza reveal about Harry Wood’s character?
The anecdote in stanza two reveals the extent of Harry Wood’s personality. The fact that he was fighting with the “union..for weeks” after he “fired a man for fooling with ropes” reveals that he is …show more content…
This further highlights his determined nature to climb the social hierarchy in order to gain a better life for his grandchildren.
Immediacy – has real relevance now 6) Why are the cattle seen as tubs of meat?
The “steer” are metaphorically seen as “tubs of meat” to highlight Harry Wood’s Machiavellian, and unfeeling nature, as he objectifies the cows into products “tubs” and therefore money. This is due to the fact that he is stubborn yet determined to climb the social hierarchy and does not care what he has to do to get there. This highlights his lack of spirit and his lack of warmth, making the responder feel uneasy.
7) What feelings does the poet’s description of Harry Wood’s house and yard cause you to have?
The poet’s description of Harry Wood’s house and yard “Kangaroo bones/ pocked with skin and maggot bubbles of flesh” shows the death and decay that surrounds his life in order to achieve his mission. This symbolises the ugly environment “bones..maggot” which is a metaphor for his emotional ugliness as he is dry and impassive, causing the responder to view Harry Wood as a spiritless, Machiavellian
Pun – explain both meanings 1) What evidence is there in the first stanza of Harry Wood’s struggle for survival?
Harry Wood’s struggle for survival is clearly revealed in the first stanza through the use of the pun “digging his way out of poverty” as he literally worked hard in the “mines” and metaphorically worked extremely hard to earn money to climb the social hierarchy from the bottom of social class “mines” to a reasonable position “foreman’s place”
2) What does the second stanza reveal about Harry Wood’s character?
The anecdote in stanza two reveals the extent of Harry Wood’s personality. The fact that he was fighting with the “union..for weeks” after he “fired a man for fooling with ropes” reveals that he is …show more content…
This further highlights his determined nature to climb the social hierarchy in order to gain a better life for his grandchildren.
Immediacy – has real relevance now 6) Why are the cattle seen as tubs of meat?
The “steer” are metaphorically seen as “tubs of meat” to highlight Harry Wood’s Machiavellian, and unfeeling nature, as he objectifies the cows into products “tubs” and therefore money. This is due to the fact that he is stubborn yet determined to climb the social hierarchy and does not care what he has to do to get there. This highlights his lack of spirit and his lack of warmth, making the responder feel uneasy.
7) What feelings does the poet’s description of Harry Wood’s house and yard cause you to have?
The poet’s description of Harry Wood’s house and yard “Kangaroo bones/ pocked with skin and maggot bubbles of flesh” shows the death and decay that surrounds his life in order to achieve his mission. This symbolises the ugly environment “bones..maggot” which is a metaphor for his emotional ugliness as he is dry and impassive, causing the responder to view Harry Wood as a spiritless, Machiavellian