By Norman McCaig

Questions 1.How do the opening lines act as an introduction to the poem?

The hospital smell combs my nostrils as they go bobbing along green and yellow corridors Metaphor – the smell is so overpowering that is becomes a comb, touching every strands of his senses. Highlights a smell familiar to us all. Can relate to smell which represents idiosyncratic (individual) atmosphere of a hospital. Synedoche – since not just his nostrils are moving along, as the image would suggest. This emphasises the overpowering nature of “the hospital smell”, since it has blocked out his other senses. Smell is overpowering and shows the vivid memory of the hospital. “ bobbing” shows speaker’s feelings of not being “there”. Creates impression of boats on waves and suggests feelings of helplessness; he is being carried along. Speaker perhaps unwilling to give into reality of situation. Use of colours which we associate with hospitals (+smell) reinforces reality of situation. The colour of pus/vomit stressing the unpleasantness of the situation.

Questions 1.How do the opening lines act as an introduction to the poem?

Stanza One To stub an oar on a rock where none should be, To have it rise with a slounge out of the sea Is a thing that happened once (too often) to me. Infinitive verbs Captures attention Metaphor comparing the shark to a rock – bulky/solid without feeling or intelligence Slounge – onomatopoeia – noise of waves, clumsy movement Shark is in charge Although the poet is frightened he tries to inject humour to make light of the situation Set at sea Unusual term to use for an oar, you stub your toe. This suggests tripping over something, which highlights a theme of the poem, the idea that this is the shark’s territory, not the human who belongs on land.

PoemVisiting HourBasking Shark Central Concern of the text Themes (1) Themes (2) Imagery (1) Imagery (2) Word Choice (1) Word Choice (2) Structure (1) Structure (2)

Comparing Questions 1.How does the poet feel? 2.What is the turning point of the poem? 3.How is the setting shown?

Visiting hourBasking Shark Central Concern of the textFacing up to mortalityWho is the monster? Themes (1)Anger – that he can do nothing in the face of death Nature - Rise with a slounge out of the sea. Existence Himself Themes (2) Facing Reality – Understanding the impact of death and loss and that we as a species are not immortal. Facing Reality – Understanding that we as a species are the ones who cause the most death and destruction. That we are not the masters of evolution. Imagery (1)Decay A withered hand trembles on its stalk Tone / Mood Reflection Reflection Serious with humour Word Choice (1)Striking words “Guzzling” shoggled Word Choice (2) Structure (1)Turning point - Ward 7Turning Point - Moves from observation to reflection