Part of The Student Room Group

  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

A critical analysis of 'The Two of Us' by Simon Armitage.

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

A critical analysis of 'The Two of Us' by Simon Armitage The poem 'The Two of Us' is about two men who are very similar, except one has an extremely lavish lifestyle while the other is very poor. The poem is written from the point of view of the poor man about their relationship. The poem is made up of mostly eight line paragraphs except one nine line paragraph and one two line paragraph. The two line paragraph is used at the very end of the poem. The fact that it is separated from the rest of the text makes this final statement more poignant and stays in the readers head for longer. Mr Armitage uses a lot of non-standard English - 'sat sitting', 'I cant see it me'. This is used as a method of exaggerating the difference between them. Hearing a stereo-typical common accent to describe these predominantly upper class things makes them seem even more unattainable. ...read more.

Middle

It does not seem written but as though he is saying thing directly from his head. There is some use of comedy in the third paragraph in the form of a pun. "Me making light of making do with pet and flint for heat, a glow-worm for a reading lamp. No match". I think that this is to show him laughing at himself, his position and how unfair it is. The third paragraph begins with the word "and". As this is in lower case and at the beginning of the sentence it suggests that he is so angry/frustrated that he is not thinking about correct punctuation. This effect creates a very real sense of anger. Also this connecting word at the beginning of the sentence suggests that he is carrying on and on without stopping. In the fourth paragraph Mr Armitage uses listing to exaggerate everything he has "chopper, roller, horse-drawn carriage, micro-light, skidoo". The listing makes it seem as though the inventory of his belongings is never ending really exaggerates it. ...read more.

Conclusion

Sibilance is also used "some sameness in the skin" this exaggerates how similar they are. In the fifth paragraph there is an extended plan metaphor in which Armitage links the two men, "same shoot", "taken from the tree", "related to the root" this represents a family tree and how they are linked together. This image then extends throughout the whole poem "and have them planted in the coffin". I see this as like the roots of a tree, extending out. I really enjoyed analysing this poem, I think it has so many different metaphors, and hidden meanings that everyone can read something different from it. Also it is accessible for every one, educated, well read people can appreciate the imagery and other well crafted devices but uneducated people can also enjoy it. One image which I especially enjoyed was "or else they've tapped me on the back and you've turned round". The piece is very angry and that anger seems genuine. The fourth paragraph is so well crafted with so may techniques that there is a difference meaning every time I read it. ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our AS and A Level Simon Armitage section.

Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

or


Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related AS and A Level Simon Armitage essays

  1. Explore Armitage`s presentation of his relationship with his parents in the poems: "Mother, any ...

    In line six, there is alliteration with "nerve and numb", this is saying that the son took it bravely trying to show masculinity by not making it less painful. In the next line there is a lot of masculine words, "it took a jewellers guns" this is showing that the

  2. Simon Armitage - poetry

    I'm declaring the right not to answer that question, just to ask it." The form of the poem is an imperfect sonnet. It has fourteen lines, which are divided up into three quatrains (four line verses), followed by a couplet.

  1. Analysis of "You may turn over and begin" by Simon Armitage.

    The following couplets detail a comical situation which dispels some of the fa�ade the speaker has built up about teenage girls.

  2. How does the poetry by Simon Armitage make the ordinary seem extraordinary?

    It also gives the reader a sense of wonder and awe. The structure of the poem is very plain and simple, just like you would see on a normal poem you would read; it uses four quatrains.

  1. 'Before You Cut Loose' by Simon Armitage.

    Imagery is also used to image stranded dogs feeling lonely and miles away from home. The quote for this is, "Those dogs ditched on the North York Moors." This image is a cruel one and you can image a dog that is abandoned in the middle of nowhere to defend for themselves.

  2. Kid - The poem is a dramatic monologue by Robin the Boy Wonder, the ...

    the pendulum, the ticker ...(line 13) Armitage compares his heart to a pendulum, the most important component of a clock - and therefore the most important part of his body. He is not going to be separated from it. but not the heart ...(line 8)

  1. A Critical Appreciation of 'Cataract Operation', a Poem by Simon Armitage.

    Any card.' In reality the pigeon is simply turning around and spreading his tail feathers, but to the poet it appears as if the pigeon is holding a deck of cards in a fan and requesting him to pick one, in the manner of a magician who might say, "Pick a card.

  2. The purpose of my transformation was to turn the Simon Armitage poem 'Untitled' into ...

    'I never got to say sorry, but at thirteen, it was my way of asking you to marry me.' This is used to keep the diary on track with the main features and events. It also fits in with his more mature and modest thoughts when he is reminiscing back to his earlier days.

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work