We see some more differences in the behaviour of the murderers. In `H.I` the murderer begins with blunt, short sharp statements such as, “banged” , “I stabbed” , and “straight up”. These words imply no emotion or thought and it shows that the murder (to him) was a simple task. “Complete” this word indicates a clinical and unemotional side to the murderer. However at the end of the poem the murderer express` some regret of what he has done. “When I think of her now I near choke with grief”. This shows that he feels remorse for the girl and feels guilty about what he has done. This contrasts with the beginning of the poem, the murderer changes how he feels about the death. Alternately in `P.L` the murderer does not seem to change his mind or regret what he has done. He keeps the same motives through out the poem. “Give herself to me forever”. Here he wants power and control over Porphyria and to keep her safe from any other men. Then at the end, we see similar motives. “We sit together” here he shows that he has done what he has set out to do and he is now together with his love. This is what he intended at the beginning of the poem. Showing consistency through out the poem.
The victims in each murder have different grades of status. This is shown in `H.I` ,the murderer doesn’t seem to have any respect for the victim. “She lied”, showing that he thinks she is a liar and cannot be trusted. This is emphasised again. “She cried and denied it”. This shows that the victim cannot stand up for herself and just resorts to crying, showing signs of weakness and failure. Therefore she doesn’t have much respect or seem highly regarded as a person. On the other hand in `P.L` the woman has a much higher status. This is shown when the murderer says, “When glided in Porphyria”. The use of the word “glided” suggests angelical and royal characteristics of Porphyria. “Glided”, it is as if she glides though the house like an angel, elegantly and gracefully. This suggests high status because she seems to have confidence and femininity and the murderer sees her as a thing of beauty and highly respects her as a woman by using the word “glided” to describe her.
We then see some similarities in the poems. Both victims do not expect the murder and in both it seems to happen on impulse. We see this in `H.I` “she turned away”. This suggests that she needed to run away from the situation and she felt scared and threatened .The word “I stabbed” implies that the murder was a quick action and that the victim had no time to get away. Equally we see this in `P.L` as the murderer says right before killing her “perfectly pure and good”. These words would be words of happiness and contentment, and are strange words to be used before you kill someone .Therefore showing that the victim had no idea of the murder because the murderer seemed in a happy state of mind; she had no warning or indications about the murder.
Both poems use different writing techniques to enhance the poems meaning. They use emotive language to enhance the mood. We see this in `H.I` when the murderer says “used to meet some prick after work” ,”straight up”, “stank of deceit” .These words imply that the murderer is very powerful and threatening and that he says what he thinks out right. This creates an angry mood and reveals more about the murderer’s character. The language is very abrupt, sharp and strong, revealing a short temper and an angry personality. However in `P.L` we see emotive language being used in the poem, yet this it is used to show a different mood than in `H.I`. “Struggling passion free” .This emotive language creates a sophisticated, interesting mood and makes the reader think about what is going on in the murderers head. This emotive language hides his motives and makes it unclear what he is thinking. Which contrasts with `H.I` as he says what he feels very Cleary and forcefully.
The structure of the poem reveals a lot about the murderer’s character. In `H.I` the order of words is very jumbled and sporadic, usually poems go in chronological order. This poem is very mixed up. This symbolises the frame of mind the murderer is in. The murderer seems confused and messed up about the situation, hence the jumbled order of the poem. This is shown at the end of the poem when the murderer has to justify what he has done “I wouldn’t hurt a fly, no joke” and “when I think of her now I near choke with grief”.
Implying that after reflection of his actions he regrets what he had done and is ashamed of it. Contrastingly the order of `P.L` shows a different frame of mind. He seems to think that what he has done is the right thing to do. This is shown by the structure of the poem because he goes from setting the scene, to what happens and then finishes. Showing he thinks clearly and he is level headed. The structure reveals elements of his character, he has justified the murderer through out the poem and made it clear why he did it. “And God has not said a word”. Showing that he does not regret what he has done and thinks nobody else will disapprove.
Symbolism is used in both poems to show relationships, but the meanings of symbolism are different. In `H.I` symbolism is used to show the relationship between the victim and the man she is supposedly having an affair with. “Brought her a silver chain with a silver heart”. Today, gold is one of the most expensive metals to buy ,silver is far less expensive .This symbolises that perhaps the `other bloke` doesn’t care for her totally and maybe he sees her as second best .This may symbolise that he does not love her as much as the murderer loves her. Similarly in `P.L` symbolism is used to show the relationship in the poem. In the opening verse, “it tore the elm tops down for spite”. This reveals some interesting facts about the relationship between Porphyria and the murderer. This quote symbolises that the murderer is the wind “tearing off the elm tops” and that the victim is the “elm tops”. The use of this symbolism subtly hints at what is going may happen to Porphyria. Also the word “spite” indicates negativity and anger, resulting in an indication of what may happen in the later events.
Overall, I feel that these poems have both similarities and differences. Although the poems are written at different times and are of different length and structure. I feel that the meanings behind the murders are very similar and the two murderers are alike in character in hidden ways. Which lead me to believe that these poems are very similar.
