The poem "Brooklyn Cop" by Norman MacCaig explores the life... Show more
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17
0
L
Lauren Webb
11/08/2025
English
Higher English - Norman McCaig - Brooklyn Cop
385
•
11 Aug 2025
•
Brooklyn Cop Poem & Analysis - Norman MacCaig Revision for Higher English
L
Lauren Webb
@laurenwebb
Brooklyn Cop: A Poetic Analysis
Norman MacCaig's poem "Brooklyn Cop" offers a vivid portrayal of a police officer's life in the gritty streets of New York City. The poem masterfully contrasts the cop's dangerous work environment with his yearning for the safety and comfort of home.
The opening of the poem immediately establishes the setting and the central theme of contrast. The word "home" is juxtaposed against the "dangerous streets" where the cop works, highlighting the stark difference between these two worlds. This contrast is further emphasized through the use of specific place names like "Sidewalk," which adds authenticity to the urban setting.
Example: The mention of real places like "Phoebe's hamburger" and "Louie's Place" grounds the poem in a realistic New York City context, possibly referencing locations associated with organized crime.
The poem employs evocative language to describe the cop's physical appearance and emotional state. The phrase "Steak coloured" is used to describe the cop, carrying connotations of raw meat and suggesting an animalistic quality.
Vocabulary: "Connotations" refers to the ideas or feelings that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning.
This description also implies that the cop is red-faced with anger, hinting at the emotional toll of his job.
The cop's vulnerability is revealed through the repetition of the phrase "he hoped it, he truly hoped it." This repetition emphasizes the cop's worry and the uncertainty of his return home, evoking sympathy from the reader.
Highlight: The use of repetition in "he hoped it, he truly hoped it" underscores the cop's inner turmoil and the precarious nature of his profession.
The poem touches on themes of violence and crime through references to "clubbings" and "trouble." The use of enjambment with the word "trouble" forces the reader's attention onto the constant danger surrounding the cop.
Definition: Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause.
MacCaig employs a powerful metaphor to describe the thin line between civilization and savagery. The phrase "civilisation's / Thin Veneer" suggests that the boundary between order and chaos is easily crossed, especially in the context of urban policing.
Quote: "civilisation's / Thin Veneer" powerfully encapsulates the fragile nature of social order in the face of violence and crime.
In conclusion, "Brooklyn Cop" is a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in urban environments. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful contrasts, MacCaig paints a complex picture of a cop torn between the brutality of his work and his desire for peace and safety at home. This poem serves as an excellent subject for Norman MacCaig Revision and is often studied alongside other works like "Hotel Room, 12th Floor," "Visiting Hour," and "Aunt Julia" in Higher English courses.
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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
Brooklyn Cop Poem & Analysis - Norman MacCaig Revision for Higher English
L
Lauren Webb
@laurenwebb
The poem "Brooklyn Cop" by Norman MacCaig explores the life of a police officer in Brooklyn, New York, highlighting the contrast between his dangerous work environment and his desire for safety and love at home. The poem delves into themes... Show more
Brooklyn Cop: A Poetic Analysis
Norman MacCaig's poem "Brooklyn Cop" offers a vivid portrayal of a police officer's life in the gritty streets of New York City. The poem masterfully contrasts the cop's dangerous work environment with his yearning for the safety and comfort of home.
The opening of the poem immediately establishes the setting and the central theme of contrast. The word "home" is juxtaposed against the "dangerous streets" where the cop works, highlighting the stark difference between these two worlds. This contrast is further emphasized through the use of specific place names like "Sidewalk," which adds authenticity to the urban setting.
Example: The mention of real places like "Phoebe's hamburger" and "Louie's Place" grounds the poem in a realistic New York City context, possibly referencing locations associated with organized crime.
The poem employs evocative language to describe the cop's physical appearance and emotional state. The phrase "Steak coloured" is used to describe the cop, carrying connotations of raw meat and suggesting an animalistic quality.
Vocabulary: "Connotations" refers to the ideas or feelings that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning.
This description also implies that the cop is red-faced with anger, hinting at the emotional toll of his job.
The cop's vulnerability is revealed through the repetition of the phrase "he hoped it, he truly hoped it." This repetition emphasizes the cop's worry and the uncertainty of his return home, evoking sympathy from the reader.
Highlight: The use of repetition in "he hoped it, he truly hoped it" underscores the cop's inner turmoil and the precarious nature of his profession.
The poem touches on themes of violence and crime through references to "clubbings" and "trouble." The use of enjambment with the word "trouble" forces the reader's attention onto the constant danger surrounding the cop.
Definition: Enjambment is the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause.
MacCaig employs a powerful metaphor to describe the thin line between civilization and savagery. The phrase "civilisation's / Thin Veneer" suggests that the boundary between order and chaos is easily crossed, especially in the context of urban policing.
Quote: "civilisation's / Thin Veneer" powerfully encapsulates the fragile nature of social order in the face of violence and crime.
In conclusion, "Brooklyn Cop" is a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in urban environments. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful contrasts, MacCaig paints a complex picture of a cop torn between the brutality of his work and his desire for peace and safety at home. This poem serves as an excellent subject for Norman MacCaig Revision and is often studied alongside other works like "Hotel Room, 12th Floor," "Visiting Hour," and "Aunt Julia" in Higher English courses.
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?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
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