Visiting Hour TQ version

Question 1

“smell”

Answer 1

Positioning of “smell” at the end of short line focuses on the overwhelming effect of the odour.

Question 2

By referring closely to lines 8-10, analyse how MacCaig uses structure
and what this tells us about the persona.

Answer 2

• Free verse is used throughout, which reflects the poet’s confusion and suits the narrative style of the text
• Repetition “ I will not feel, I will not feel, is used to suggest the poet is chanting under his breath in order to avoid his emotions

Question 3

By referring closely to lines 11-18, analyse three observations made
about the nurses and what you think the observations tell us about the
narrator.

Answer 3

• Word choice /adverb of “lightly,” suggests that the nurses are going about their work without emotional weight
• Word choice of adverb “ swiftly,” suggests they are working quickly and are efficient
• Inversion of the natural syntax “here and up and down and there” suggests that the nurses are not following a methodical order but are so busy they are all over the place.
• Word choice of “slender (waists)” suggests a vulnerability and that they are physically incapable of carrying a “burden” emotion
  miraculously
  burden
  eyes still clear

Question 4

commonality

Answer 4

Commonality:
• MacCaig often explores difficult moments in life as a theme. ‘Visiting Hour’ and other poems by MacCaig explores death as a theme and the suffering it causes. This is explored through the persona of a visitor, the patient at the end of life in the hospital and a detailed description of the setting of the hospital itself and the ward in which the patient lies. ‘Sounds of the Day’ examines another significant moment in life, the end of a relationship. He again uses setting to show the impact this has on a person.
• Uses structure of a poem and of a sentence to reveal the theme- conveys the significance on the person of the life changing moment
• Uses contrast in his poetry to show the dramatic effect of life ending/ relationship ending
• Senses are used to create a strong representation of a place in order to deliver an important message about the end of a relationship/ the end of a life. This is true of both ‘Visiting Hour’ reveals the strong sense of smell and sight as the visitor walks into the hospital, revealing his worry and concern before the visit, and ‘Sounds of the Day’ when every day sounds and sights are represented to convey normality before the end of the relationship.
• First person narrator is used by MacCaig to reveal the impact of end of life/ relationship upon a person- observations, thoughts and feelings suggest the dramatic effect of such a moment upon a person

Question 5

“combs my nostrils”

Answer 5

Metaphor in “combs my nostrils” suggests that the effect of the smell is almost painful

Question 6

“bobbing along”

Answer 6

Synecdoche is used “bobbing along” emphasises the overpowering “smell” - it has blocked out his other senses.

Question 7

“green and yellow”

Answer 7

Symbolism represented by the colours “green and yellow” especially when put together has been linked to sickness and decay

Question 8

“seems a corpse”

Answer 8

Word choice “seems a corpse” shows that the narrator is reminded of death

Question 9

“trundled”

Answer 9

Word choice of “trundled” suggests that the writer feels that there is a lack of sympathy for the patients

Question 10

“vanishes”

Answer 10

Word choice of “vanishes” suggests that the writer thinks of the patient no longer existing

Question 11

“heavenward”

Answer 11

Word choice in “heavenward” suggests that the writer is focused on death as he walks through the hospital