The contrast between past and present tells us that old age is treated as a negative part of life. The poem has an irregular line length and enjambment reflects the shambles and disorder of the old mans mind.
The poem uses colloquial language and does not have imagery, just a series of memories. The italics are the father speaking, it shows how the father is ageing as he now finds things hard to do “I’ve lost the hammer”. Fanthorpes message is that old age is a negative part of, as the poem is very pessimistic. The daughter is sad about what old age has done to her father, she wants him back as a lively and independent man. She is angry at ageing process not her father, she is blaming the ageing process for her fathers downfall and treats it as a very negative part of life as she feels it can change a person a great deal, compared to ‘warning’ where the poet feels that old age is a positive time in life to enjoy yourself and become free.
In ‘Warning’ old age is presented as a time of having fun and doing all the things she missed when she was younger, “spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves”. In ‘warning’ old age is treated as a positive time I life in comparison to ‘old man, old man’ where it is treated negatively.
The beginning lines start with ‘and’, this adds to the pace and excitement of the poem, it also has different lengths of sentences and the language reflects the use of non-standard English “learn to spit”. The childish language reflects the fact that the poet sees old age as a chance to be a child again, irresponsible and free.
There are four stanzas and each deal with a new topic whereas ‘Old man, old man’ carries on the same topic in some stanzas “missing crusted steaks…of food on plates”. The verbs “shall” and “can wear” show the future and what the speaker wishes to do in old age. The third stanza relates to the woman’s adulthood, now she must conform and behave in a responsible manner. This frustrates her and makes her want to be free.
In ‘warning’ old age is treated as a time to break free and defy society’s stereotype of old people settling down into quiet old age. She sees old age as a time to be free from responsibility, she can do as she pleases and blame it on old age, this contrasts with being young, as if you do something wrong as a child you are easily forgiven whereas in old age you are expected to know the difference from Wright and wrong, as the title suggests it is a warning from the poet of what you should expect from her in old age.
The tone in ‘Old man, Old man’ tells us the regret because the relationship between father and daughter never really worked “let me find your hammer” and now that the man is old it may be too late.
The tone in ‘Warning’ is a rebellious assertion of the speaker’s rights and desires. The speaker is excited at the prospect of the future and experiencing old age, “you can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat”. In the third stanza she shows her frustration of why she must behave now “not swear in the street”.
However in ‘old man, old man’ the poet is exploring the stereotypical view of old age, that it is a time of settling down and when a person is forgetful “I’ve lost the hammer” and deteriorates slowly.
Whereas in ‘Warning’ the speaker is challenging society’s view of old age and is rebelling against society’s expectations. She voices her inner feelings and argues that society’s expectations have stripped her of her individuality and opportunity to express herself and she sees old age as the chance to do so.
I enjoyed reading ‘warning’ the most as it was an different view of age and the speaker makes it sound as if old age is a time of happiness as well, it made me think more deeply about older age and it didn’t make it seem so boring as I had previously thought.
Both poems give me different views of old age. ‘Old man, old man’ gives me a view of a time of slowing down and being distanced from the things you used to do and warning gives me the impression that old age does not have to be boring and that you are as young as you feel.
Kamlesh Vadukul
11 set 3 English