Chainsaw Versus The Pampas Grass by Simon Armitage
Key themes within the poem
violence
modernism nature vs mechanical
defeat
power
maculinity
Key Quotes
‘it seemed an unlikely match. all winter unplugged, grinding its teeth in a plastic sleeve’
is it romantic? the battle between man vs nature.
‘then dropped the safety catch and gunned the trigger.’
the sudden use of ‘dropped’ highlights the ominous tone approaching. the chainsaw is compared to a gun - death machine. the line has no hesitation and is extremely masculine.
‘like cutting at water or air with a knife’
the simile seems pointless like there is no need. there is nothing there to gain. starts to link to Marxism.
‘corn in Egypt. I looked on from the upstairs window like the midday moon’
The use of the Religious allusion/allegory of resurrection - it is a miracle that nature survives at the hand of mankind. The midday moon is overlooked and no - one really cares. is it jealous of the pampas grass’ attention.
what to include in an essay
the speaker channels their emotions through the chainsaw
there is envy towards grass as it is feared by people
the Pampas grass is an extended metaphor for a depiction of man’s violence and battle with nature
Armitage uses violence as a blanket and creates a persona that the chainsaw is a depiction of the speaker.
use of personification encourages the reader to feel guilt and pain upon viewing how bad the battle between man and nature has become.
overall highlights how violence is futile