Page 2: Love and Uncertainty in the City

The second page of "The Bargain" by Liz Lochhead delves deeper into the complex emotions of the couple as they navigate their relationship against the backdrop of Glasgow's urban landscape. The speaker's voice becomes more prominent, expressing both love for the city and uncertainty about the future of their relationship.

The line "Yes today we're in love aren't we?" sets a tone of temporary certainty, immediately followed by doubt with "But not tomorrow?" This juxtaposition highlights the fragility of their connection and the speaker's need for reassurance. Lochhead uses vivid imagery to describe Glasgow, personifying the city with a "brazen black Victorian heart," which mirrors the raw, exposed nature of the speaker's emotions.

Quote: "All I want is my glad eye to catch a glint in your flinty Northern face again"

This line reveals the speaker's yearning for emotional connection and response from their partner, using the contrast between "glad" and "flinty" to emphasize the emotional distance they feel.

The poem continues to use sensory details to create a strong sense of place, describing Paddy's Market with its "wetdog reek" and "piles of old damp clothes." These unpleasant smells and sights serve as a metaphor for the less glamorous aspects of their relationship, which they must navigate together.

Vocabulary: "Steamboats" - Glasgow slang for extremely drunk

The use of local slang and colloquialisms adds authenticity to the setting and characterization, grounding the poem in its specific cultural context.

Page 3: Bargains and Relationships

On this page of Liz Lochhead's "The Bargain," the focus shifts to the market itself and the act of bargain-hunting, which serves as a metaphor for the give-and-take in relationships. The poem describes the various items for sale, from "three bent forks" to "real antique dirt cheap," highlighting the mix of worthless junk and hidden treasures that can be found.

The line "No connoisseur can afford to be too scrupulous about keeping his hands clean" suggests that to find value, one must be willing to get involved and make compromises. This can be read as a commentary on relationships, implying that perfection is unrealistic and that true connection requires effort and acceptance of flaws.

Highlight: The phrase "everything has its price" can be interpreted both literally in terms of the market and metaphorically in terms of the emotional costs in a relationship.

Lochhead uses short, blunt sentences to create a sense of harsh reality: "We don't deserve a bargain then!" This style reflects the speaker's self-critical attitude and the challenges faced in the relationship.

The poem touches on themes of nostalgia and changing values, noting that "Suddenly the fifties are fashionable" and "anything within a decade of art deco" is considered rare. This could be seen as a reflection on how perceptions and worth in relationships can shift over time.

Example: The description of items like "bugle-beaded" and "real antique" amidst "rags and drunks" illustrates the contrast between valuable finds and everyday struggles, mirroring the highs and lows of a long-term relationship.

Page 4: Reflections on Relationships and Society

The final page of Liz Lochhead's "The Bargain" broadens its scope to comment on relationships and society at large. The poem continues to use the market setting as a backdrop for these reflections, with vivid descriptions of the vendors and their wares.

The line "The man with the patter and all these curtain lengths in fibreglass is flabbergasted at the bargain" introduces a sense of irony, as the speaker observes the superficiality of some transactions. This could be read as a critique of relationships based on shallow values or false pretenses.

Lochhead then shifts focus to the broader community, observing "struggling families" and noting that "All the couples we know fall apart or have kids." This stark observation highlights the challenges faced by couples and the limited options they seem to have.

Quote: "Oh we've never shouldered much."

This line suggests a sense of guilt or inadequacy in comparison to others who are dealing with more significant responsibilities. It also implies a certain lightness or freedom in the speaker's relationship, which may be both a blessing and a source of uncertainty.

The poem ends with a focus on portability, suggesting that the couple values flexibility and the ability to move on. This could be interpreted as both a strength and a potential weakness in their relationship.

Highlight: The contrast between the "Fire Surround Boutique" and the image of a father "carrying hearth home" emphasizes the difference between superficial appearances and the real struggles of family life.

Throughout this final section, Lochhead uses harsh alliteration and a conversational tone to maintain the gritty, realistic atmosphere of the poem. The lack of punctuation in some lines creates a sense of continuous flow, mirroring the ongoing nature of relationship struggles and societal pressures.

Page 4: Social Commentary

The poem expands to observe other couples and families, drawing parallels between their struggles and the speaker's relationship.

Quote: "All the couples we know fall apart or have kids" reveals the speaker's cynical view of relationships.

Highlight: The list of portable items suggests a reluctance to commit to anything permanent.

Page 5: Lost and Found

The theme of losing and finding each other physically in the market becomes a metaphor for their emotional connection.

Example: The speaker losing and finding their partner among the stalls reflects their emotional distance and proximity.

Quote: "losing you and finding you - two stalls away" demonstrates both physical and emotional separation.

Page 6: Deterioration

The relationship's decline parallels the dropping temperature and growing silence between the couple.

Quote: "The raw cold gets colder" emphasizes the relationship's deterioration.

Highlight: The broken items they consider buying symbolize their damaged relationship.

Page 1: Setting the Scene

The opening stanza of "The Bargain" by Liz Lochhead immediately immerses the reader in the bustling atmosphere of Glasgow. The poem begins with a vivid description of the city in January, with the river "fast and high," setting a tone of urgency and potential danger. The couple is heading to the Barrows, a local market, amidst a crowd of football fans creating an atmosphere of tension and anticipation.

Lochhead employs several poetic devices to enhance the rhythm and mood of the poem. Alliteration is used effectively in phrases like "fast and high" and "rubbing the wrong way," creating a rhythmic quality that mirrors the beat of the city. The enjambment in the lines describing the football fans adds to the sense of continuous movement and unease.

The poem's setting is crucial in reflecting the state of the couple's relationship. The mention of "looking back, looking forward" suggests a time of reflection and uncertainty about their future together. This is further emphasized by the image of the two rivers meeting, symbolizing the convergence of past and present, as well as the potential for change or conflict.

Highlight: The line "January, and we're looking back, looking forward" encapsulates the theme of reflection and uncertainty that permeates the poem.

Example: The description of "Gathering police-horses twitch and fret" creates a sense of underlying tension and potential for conflict, mirroring the unease in the couple's relationship.

The stanza ends with a contrasting image of "three beautiful Bakelite radios," introducing a note of nostalgia and the possibility of harmony amidst the chaotic urban landscape.