Glasgow 5th March 1971 Poem Analysis - Edwin Morgan Nat5

Page 2: The Young Victims

Morgan continues to build the scene, focusing on the young people who have been used as human battering rams in this violent robbery.

The repetition of "young" emphasizes the vulnerability and innocence of the victims, making the crime seem even more heinous. The present tense phrase "are falling" creates a sense of immediacy, as if the reader is witnessing the event in real-time.

Example: The phrase "are falling" puts the reader right in the moment, creating a cinematic quality to the poem's narrative.

The metaphor of "bristling" glass on the young man's face is particularly powerful. It not only describes the physical reality of glass shards but also suggests a transformation from youth to a more mature, hardened state.

Quote: "a ragged diamond / of shattered plate-glass / bristling with fragments / still hanging"

This vivid imagery helps the reader visualize the brutal aftermath of the crime and the physical toll on the victims.

Page 3: The Aftermath

The third page of the analysis delves deeper into the description of the young victims and their injuries.

The repetition of "young" continues to underscore the innocence of those caught in this violent act. Morgan's use of "fragments" to describe the victims emphasizes how they have been broken, both literally and figuratively, by this experience.

Vocabulary: Fragments - Small pieces or parts broken off or detached from something.

The word "caught" carries multiple connotations, suggesting that the victims are not only trapped in the physical sense but also caught in a broader cycle of urban violence and societal neglect.

Highlight: The repeated emphasis on youth and fragmentation creates a stark contrast between innocence and the harsh realities of urban crime.

Page 4: Graphic Depiction of Injuries

Morgan's poem takes a more graphic turn as it describes the injuries sustained by the female victim.

The use of onomatopoeia in "spurts" vividly conveys the sudden, forceful nature of the blood loss. This is reinforced by the phrase "arterial blood," which emphasizes the severity of the injury.

Definition: Arterial blood - Blood from an artery, typically bright red and under high pressure.

There's a touch of dark irony in the description of the "wet-look white coat," now actually wet with the victim's blood. This detail adds to the overall sense of horror and violation.

Quote: "spurts of arterial blood / have stained the wet-look white coat"

Page 5: Dehumanization and Shock

The analysis continues to explore Morgan's powerful imagery and use of literary devices to convey the horror of the scene.

The metaphor "starfished" to describe the victims' bodies is particularly striking. This animal comparison serves to dehumanize the victims, emphasizing their vulnerability and the shock of their situation.

Highlight: The "starfished" metaphor not only describes the physical position of the bodies but also suggests a sense of helplessness and exposure.

Morgan employs alliteration in "faces show surprise, shock," using sibilant sounds to slow down the reader and emphasize the victims' expressions. This technique adds to the overall sense of horror and disbelief.

Example: The alliteration in "faces show surprise, shock" mimics the stunned, slow-motion feeling often described in traumatic situations.

Page 6: The Calculated Nature of the Crime

This section of the analysis focuses on the premeditated nature of the attack and the callousness of the perpetrators.

The word "beginning" suggests that the physical and emotional pain of this event is far from over, hinting at long-lasting consequences for the victims.

Quote: "This is only the beginning."

The use of "pushed" emphasizes the forceful nature of the criminals' actions, treating their victims as mere objects. The word "operation" carries a dual meaning, referring both to the planned nature of the crime and the medical procedures the victims will likely need.

Vocabulary: Operation - In this context, it refers both to a planned action or activity and a medical procedure.

Page 7: The Criminals' Attitude

Morgan's choice of words in this section reveals the callous attitude of the thieves towards their crime and victims.

The use of "loot" to describe the stolen goods has a almost comical tone, suggesting that the criminals do not take their actions seriously. This word choice emphasizes their lack of empathy or concern for the harm they've caused.

Highlight: The word "loot" creates a jarring contrast between the severity of the crime and the thieves' casual attitude towards it.

"Smartly" is used to describe the thieves' actions, implying both cleverness and speed. This further underscores the calculated nature of the crime and the criminals' professionalism.

Page 8: Emotional Detachment

The analysis here focuses on the stark contrast between the victims' shock and the criminals' lack of emotion.

Morgan's use of the phrase "no expression" to describe the thieves is particularly chilling. This short, direct statement emphasizes their complete lack of conscience or emotional response to the violence they've inflicted.

Quote: "Two youths with no expression on their faces"

The word "sharp" is used to describe both the physical danger of the broken glass and the cold, unfeeling nature of society that allows such crimes to occur.

Definition: Sharp - In this context, it refers both to the physical quality of being able to cut and to a harsh or severe emotional state.

Page 9: Bystander Apathy

This section of the analysis explores the reaction (or lack thereof) from the surrounding community.

The word "clear" is used to emphasize that the visibility is good, meaning that drivers and passersby can see what's happening. This makes their choice to ignore the situation even more damning.

Highlight: The use of "clear" creates a stark contrast between the visibility of the crime and the willful blindness of the bystanders.

The specific mention of "Sauchiehall Street" grounds the poem in reality, reminding readers that this is not a fictional event but a commentary on real-world violence and apathy.

Page 10: Society's Indifference

The final page of analysis focuses on the poem's critique of societal indifference and the death of the Good Samaritan concept.

The phrase "keep their eyes on the road" is deeply ironic. While good drivers should indeed focus on the road, here it represents a deliberate choice to ignore the crime and its victims.

Quote: "Drivers keep their eyes on the road"

This final image sums up the poem's main theme: society's lack of compassion and the absence of people willing to help others in need. By choosing to do nothing, the passersby become almost complicit in the crime.

Highlight: The poem's conclusion leaves readers with a challenging question about their own role and responsibility in the face of societal violence and injustice.

Page 1: Setting the Scene

The opening of "Glasgow 5th March 1971" immediately plunges the reader into a scene of violence and destruction. Morgan's choice of words paints a vivid picture of the aftermath of a smash-and-grab robbery.

The poem begins with the image of a "ragged diamond" of glass, an oxymoron that captures the contradictory nature of the scene. This shattered glass represents both beauty and danger, setting the tone for the entire poem.

Vocabulary: Oxymoron - A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms.

Highlight: The word "diamond" carries dual significance, hinting at both the nature of the shattered glass and the possibility that this is a jewelry store being robbed.

The use of "shattered" further emphasizes the destruction, with its connotations of something broken and ruined. This word choice effectively sets the stage for the violent event that has just occurred.