Critical Commentary on Engineers Corner by Wendy Cope
by
njerimuhia (student)
NJeri Muhia
Literature
Ms. Muthama
Critical Commentary on Engineer’s Corner by Wendy Cope
Artists are always acclaimed for the works that they produce; however, there are other professions, such as doctors, mechanics, engineers how contribute greatly to the world we live in. The Engineer’s corner is a satirical piece which emphasizes on how life as an artist is overrated, as well as recognizing the underestimation of other professions that lend more to society and its development, such as the Engineer. Cope effectively uses tools of irony, rhetoric, tone as well as rhyme to convey this message.
The use of irony and rhetoric in the poem really builds on the mockery that Cope uses to emphasis the great undermining of the Engineer- representation of other working class jobs in the poem. Cope constructs a parallel world where it is the engineer who is ‘sure to need another job’ and that they would have to ‘burn the midnight oil to earn a crust’, and that little boys would prefer poems to ‘the bike… and the train’. The reader recognizes that Cope has switched the lifestyles of these two professions, and through this effective use of irony, the reader is able to feel the sharp bite of Cope’s sarcasm. This is effective as it truly exemplifies the differences of the life of the poet against an established engineer, clearly identifying the Engineer, the representation of the working class, as successful in society. The true irony of the poem, however, is the fact that Cope herself is a poet, and therefore is almost criticizing her own work. This sarcasm is further emphasized through Cope’s use of rhetorical questions, such as ‘Who needs a bridge or dam?’. The answers to the questions that she asks are so glaringly obvious to the reader, which makes it clear that the role of an engineer is so important. Moreover, the obvious nature of the rhetorical questions furthers Cope’s sardonic tone, making clear to the reader on how she feels about the exaggeration of poets’ importance.
