Visiting Hour

“The hospital smell combs my nostrils”

Establishes setting- visiting someone ill in hospital. Universal smell everyone knows. Metaphor used to emphasise the strong smell and the personas discomfort. The smell is overpowering and blocks out all other senses.

“Bobbing along”

Creates a humorous picture, persona is trying to distract himself from the reality of the situation. Bobbing has connotations of lost / unsure and cast adrift.

“What seems a corpse”

Negative impression of the patient - sets the tone and hints towards the personas fear for his wife. He is unsure if what he is seeing suggesting he is in distress at the sight. Brutal description of patient - shows finality if death and its clear death is in his his thoughts.

“Vanishes heavenward”

Disappears and never comes back suggests persona is confused and symbolic of death. Heavenward symbolises the inevitability of death, we all must face it. Symbolises a souls journey to heaven.

“I will not feel, i will not feel , until i have to.”

Repetition -Persona chants this like a mantra, he’s determined to feel numb and not allow his feelings to take over him. He is determined not to feel. Enjabment highlights that he is aware that he will have to face death eventually and adress his feelings- he physically cant escape whats happening.

“Nurses walk lightly, swiftly”

Nurses walk around carefree and it seems they are unaffected by the pain and suffering around them. They walk elegantly with a purpose. This image contrasts with the dark lifeless body in previous stanza.

“carrying their burden if so much pain”

Poet is astonished the nurses with small frames can carry such large emotional baggage. He is in awe at their strength, reminds persona of angels. He is astonished at how much they cope with and he is unable to cope with one ill person. Envious he cant do the same.

“Eyes still clear”

Heroic- even after seeing so much pain and suffering they dont show any emotion. Persona in awe and envious he cant feel the same.

“So much pain, so many deaths, so many farewells”

List used to emphasise the extent if what the nurses see on a daily basis. Contrasts with how little McCaig can cope with. Still cant escape thoughts of death and dying.

“White cave if forgetfullness”

Metaphor- her illness has isolated her and made her forget. White symbolises fear , innocence and sterile. The white cave contrasts with the colourful hallways of the hospital, suggests she is in her own bubble. Could suggest the colours are used to disguise the reality if being ill. She is blocked out from the world.

“A withered hand trembles on its stalk”

Metaphor of flower, WC suggests weak , frail , lifeless ,decay. She is weak and shrivelled due ti her illness. “Its” suggests she is an empty shell of the person she used to be. She is loosing life and is extremely unwell.

“ A glass fang is fixed”

Metaphor- shocks readers with its brutality. Vampire has connotations of blood and pain. This hints at the personas distress at seeing his wife in this state.

“ Distance of pain that neither she nor i can cross”

Emphasises the theme of separation , poet feels helpless and unable to talk to his wife. Their emotional and physical pain is a barrier to them communicating.

“Black figuire in her white cave”

Cave imagery highlights her isolation. Contrast between white and black. Black has connotations if death hinting she might die. Could symbolise the grim reaper, she is ready and happy for a visit.

“Clumsily rises”

Mccaig is overcome by his emotions that he is unstable in his feet. He is scared for his wives life.

“Books that will not be read and fruitless fuits”

Oxymoron- persona feels helpless. Feels unable to help so brings useless gifts. He cant do anything to stop death as it’s inevitable.