To bring the poem alive the poet uses images and techniques such as repetition, rhyme, structure, theme, simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia and alliteration. The poet uses these techniques to make the poem more interesting to make the reader more enthralled by the poem, making him/her want to read more and keep the attention span. In this poem the poet uses a lot of similes “quick as a sudden crack in glass”, this is an effective simile as the quote emphasises the cat being really fast, almost as fast as glass smashing and glass smashes faster than you can see. Another example of a simile is “Plump as a cushion with tucked in paws”. This line tells us that the cat is fat and is often spoiled. It also tells us the tucked in paws that it is happy and cannot be bothered to show any affection to the boy this is effective because it shows us that the cat doesn’t do anything and annoys the boy by sitting about. A last example of a simile is “round eyes as mad as gold” this simile is effective because its used to show that the cat is giving the boy a cold angry stare this is showing that the cat also hates the boy with a passion.
Another technique that Vernon Scannel uses in the poem is metaphors “A buzzing machine of soft black stuff” this metaphor is comparing the cat to a constant buzzing machine and he is saying that the cat makes a loud and annoying noise which also annoys the boy. Another example of a metaphor is “Eyes squeezed beads of salty prayer”. This is comparing tears to beads hard to get out as though he doesn’t want to cry but he feels it is right to cry, not only just because he thinks it is right. He also thinks that he is going to get into trouble his conscience is bothering him and guilt. Lastly the third metaphor, “Hot blood in a muff” this shows the hatred is mutual. He is saying the quote in a nasty tone. This stands out because it compares the cat to a living hand warmer. A hand warmer has no purpose it just gets in the way it also shows the boy has no respect for the cat.
The third technique is Alliteration some examples are “Spade & shovel”. This imitates the boy hiding the evidence this is a good piece of alliteration as it shows the speed that the boy is having to go at to hide the dead cat. Next piece of alliteration is “Dry delight” this imitates the shiver down his spine of the consequences of what he has done. Lastly “Swells and all sides split”. This imitates the guilt growing up inside of him , it is getting to much, the pressure of keeping it in he will tell someone eventually.
The last technique is onomatopoeia “Buzzing” this shows us the noise that is created by the cat, a long constant noise. Next is “Crack” the force put behind the stick forceful and deadly. Lastly “Hissed” the loud noise when the cat is hurting, the noise to let someone know the cat is in pain.
Poetic techniques are a big part in the poem. In this poem repetition plays a big part of it “Alone that is except for the cat” is a good one as the poet is trying to get the point over that the boy should not be left with the cat in a flat. Also “He hated” this is because there is a lot of hatred between the two people involved the cat and the boy.
In this poem there is very little rhyme because the poem is serious and he wants people to remember it for the story not the rhyme in most cases that is how some poets are so famous for the rhyme.
Structure isn’t something the poet wants to commit to in this poem. It doesn’t have an order of regular size in each stanza a variety of length of lines. Unclear pattern allows us to see the change in the boy’s emotions.
The theme of this poem is all to do with guilt, which has been mentioned in the essay. Hate is the main emotion between boy and cat, conscience a thing, which the boy does have, power that has been swapped from cat to boy and anger which has built up in the boy.
In conclusion to this critical response to literature I have 1covered the techniques in the poem, the emotions, the situation between the boy and the cat and the very unusual topic. It has been described how the poet brings the unusual poem alive for us. We have discussed the character and how he changed during the main incident and in depth about the emotion and feeling of the boy.
