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5
0
J
janae kimmet
13/10/2025
English
ASSISI
65
•
13 Oct 2025
•
Juxtaposition of Beauty and Ugliness in Poetry for Kids - Fun KS2 & KS3 Examples
J
janae kimmet
@janaekimmet_kbpn
Analysis of Norman MacCaig's "Assisi"
Norman MacCaig's poem "Assisi" offers a scathing critique of religious hypocrisy and social inequality through its vivid portrayal of a disabled beggar juxtaposed against the backdrop of a wealthy church and indifferent tourists. The poem's structure and imagery work together to highlight the stark contrasts between appearances and reality.
Structure and Themes
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each focusing on a different group of people:
- The Beggar
- The Priests
- The Tourists
This structure creates a circular narrative that emphasizes the isolation and neglect of the beggar.
Highlight: The circular structure of the poem reinforces the theme that "beauty is but skin deep" and exposes the hypocrisy of the church.
Imagery and Language
MacCaig employs brutal and vivid language to describe the beggar, using dehumanizing imagery:
Quote: "Like a half-filled sack"
This imagery contrasts sharply with the description of the church and its representatives:
Example: The priests are described as "smug and hypocritical," while the tourists are compared to chickens "clucking contentedly."
Stanza Analysis
Stanza 1: The Beggar
The first stanza uses long, complex sentences and lists to provide a harsh but vivid description of the beggar. The poet employs surprising gender changes and demoralizing, non-medical terms like "dwarf" to emphasize the beggar's marginalization.
Vocabulary: Juxtaposition - The placement of contrasting elements side by side for emphasis.
Stanza 2: The Priests
This stanza consists of two sentences that highlight the smugness and hypocrisy of the church representatives. The poet uses sarcasm to criticize their behavior.
Stanza 3: The Tourists
The final stanza also contains two sentences, beginning with a description of the tourists and then contrasting back to the beggar. This reinforces the circular structure of the poem.
Themes and Imagery
The poem explores several key themes:
- The hypocrisy of the church in Assisi
- The plight of the disabled
- The superficiality of religious tourism
Definition: Hypocrisy - The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform.
MacCaig uses powerful imagery to convey these themes, such as comparing the tourists to chickens with "tiny twisted legs" and "hands on backwards," emphasizing their obliviousness to the beggar's suffering.
The poem ultimately presents a stark contrast between appearances and reality:
- The beggar: "Ugly" on the outside, "Beautiful" on the inside
- The church: "Beautiful" on the outside, "Ugly" on the inside
This juxtaposition serves to highlight the poem's central message about the superficiality of religious institutions and the neglect of those in need.
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Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Juxtaposition of Beauty and Ugliness in Poetry for Kids - Fun KS2 & KS3 Examples
J
janae kimmet
@janaekimmet_kbpn
The poem "Assisi" explores themes of hypocrisy, beauty, and ugliness through vivid imagery and structural techniques. It contrasts the superficial beauty of a church with the harsh reality of a disabled beggar, highlighting societal inequalities and religious hypocrisy.
Analysis of Norman MacCaig's "Assisi"
Norman MacCaig's poem "Assisi" offers a scathing critique of religious hypocrisy and social inequality through its vivid portrayal of a disabled beggar juxtaposed against the backdrop of a wealthy church and indifferent tourists. The poem's structure and imagery work together to highlight the stark contrasts between appearances and reality.
Structure and Themes
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each focusing on a different group of people:
- The Beggar
- The Priests
- The Tourists
This structure creates a circular narrative that emphasizes the isolation and neglect of the beggar.
Highlight: The circular structure of the poem reinforces the theme that "beauty is but skin deep" and exposes the hypocrisy of the church.
Imagery and Language
MacCaig employs brutal and vivid language to describe the beggar, using dehumanizing imagery:
Quote: "Like a half-filled sack"
This imagery contrasts sharply with the description of the church and its representatives:
Example: The priests are described as "smug and hypocritical," while the tourists are compared to chickens "clucking contentedly."
Stanza Analysis
Stanza 1: The Beggar
The first stanza uses long, complex sentences and lists to provide a harsh but vivid description of the beggar. The poet employs surprising gender changes and demoralizing, non-medical terms like "dwarf" to emphasize the beggar's marginalization.
Vocabulary: Juxtaposition - The placement of contrasting elements side by side for emphasis.
Stanza 2: The Priests
This stanza consists of two sentences that highlight the smugness and hypocrisy of the church representatives. The poet uses sarcasm to criticize their behavior.
Stanza 3: The Tourists
The final stanza also contains two sentences, beginning with a description of the tourists and then contrasting back to the beggar. This reinforces the circular structure of the poem.
Themes and Imagery
The poem explores several key themes:
- The hypocrisy of the church in Assisi
- The plight of the disabled
- The superficiality of religious tourism
Definition: Hypocrisy - The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform.
MacCaig uses powerful imagery to convey these themes, such as comparing the tourists to chickens with "tiny twisted legs" and "hands on backwards," emphasizing their obliviousness to the beggar's suffering.
The poem ultimately presents a stark contrast between appearances and reality:
- The beggar: "Ugly" on the outside, "Beautiful" on the inside
- The church: "Beautiful" on the outside, "Ugly" on the inside
This juxtaposition serves to highlight the poem's central message about the superficiality of religious institutions and the neglect of those in need.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user