The idea of finality is continued in the second stanza with the phrase “This is the last performance”. This is emphasised by Fanthorpe’s use of half-rhyme” doubtfully” / “fall” which enacts the disharmony of the destruction of The Regal cinema by hinting at a rhyme which the reader does not get.
The tone changes in stanza three to one of nostalgia when Fanthorpe evokes the memories that the crowd has of going to the cinema in the past. She uses onomatopoeic words “whistling” and “yodelling” to recreate the excitement of the audience waiting fro the film to begin.
The nostalgic tone continues in the fourth stanza as she reminds the reader of the range of cinematic experiences. She uses alliteration, “men in macs at matinees” to create sordid implications which are emphasised by the regularity. The use of the tactile onomatopoeic word “oozing” helps create the environment in the cinema when watching a touching film and also establishes the dismal atmosphere of watching the cinema being torn down in the poem.
The poem returns to the present in stanza 6 and begins with a question, “Where now the oilfields of ketchup, the acres of hair?” indicating that something is not right. Fanthorpe questions where the cinema-goers are now going to go all dresses up and with their chips.
The final stanza has a haunting tone with use of “shades”. This is reinforced by the list of famous dead actors “Garbo, Garland, Groucho, Welles, Goofy, Wayne” which create the image of ghosts. It also possibly suggests that the cinema is now also one of the dead; as once it is torn down, it will no longer exist.
The overall intention of the poem “Last House”, by Fanthorpe is to tell her readers about her feelings as well as describing what she and fellow bystanders saw and the way in which she responds to the scene. I find it interesting how Fanthorpe uses the most appropriate language to achieve the poignant atmosphere of the poem.
