Funmi Falegan 12J

English Essay
Compare the poem Chainsaw versus the Pampas grass to one other poem
Both Simon Armitage and Andrew Motion explore similar themes in their poems:
Chainsaw versus the Pampas Grass and Journal of a disappointed man. One of
the major themes found in this poem is the subject of masculinity and its
important role in society. In Armitages poem, masculinity is presented through
the role of the chainsaw and Motions poem focuses on the builders in a way to
portray masculinity. Additionally, another important theme found in these two
poems is the theme of futility the poets are able to present this by showing a
project or task fail or not end the way you want it to be. These consist of ordinary
tasks such as gardening and building. The poets are able to express both themes
by their language and poetry devices but we as reader find that they do this in
contrasting ways. Alternatively, each poem may also focus on other themes but
still link to the two major themes.
Armitages Chainsaw versus the Pampas Grass focuses on the usual task of
gardening. While gardening may be viewed as a fairly feminine activity, Armitage
presents it in a violent way which could suggest that the gardening that the
speaker is undergoing is masculine. This is due to the poet discussing the difficult
task of cutting down a pampas grass which is a job typically left for a man to do.
Throughout the poem Armitage uses imagery in order to present the manliness
of the chainsaw as well as its anger and bashfulness. For example, Armitage uses
personification to describe the chainsaw which is successful in allowing us. In
stanza one, the chainsaw is described to be grinding its teeth. The use of
personification through the verb grinding suggests that chainsaw is vigorous
and has a lot of anger building up inside of it and is almost ready to attack
someone as readers to in vision the chainsaw to be an angry and frustrated
human and cause lots of harm. Alternatively, the use of the noun teeth aids
the reader into visualising the chainsaw as a human or to at least express human
like features. It can be suggested that the chainsaw may be a reflection of the
speaker, or masculinity in general. Additionally, the chainsaw is described to be
in an instant rage, this quote is effective in highlighting the chainsaws
uncontrollable anger. The use of the adjective instant infers that the chainsaw
automatically enters this fit of fury suggesting that the chainsaw is
uncontrollable and dangerous.
On the other hand, Andrew motion explores the theme of masculinity in his poem
but he doesnt have to personify any objects in order to do it as the theme is
explored by the busy work builders. The speaker describes the workers as
powerful men. The use of the adjective infers that the worker men are very
strong and traditionally masculine men. Alternatively, this quote could also
suggest that the speaker has a grand admiration towards these men and wants
to be like them. Additionally, the speaker continues to describe the men but in a
fairly negative light. For example, the speaker dehumanizes the men by
describing them to be monsters. This noun is effective in presenting the
workers to be very large and frightening people; alternatively, this noun could
also suggest that the speaker does not have much respect for the men. Making
this poem similar to Simon Armitages because both express the theme of
disrespect through the speakers attitude towards the men and the chainsaws
disrespect to the pampas grass. We find more stereotypical language to describe
the workers. The speaker writes one fellow spits. Throughout the poem, Motion

Funmi Falegan 12J

English Essay
uses intellectual and articulated language however while describing the men he
uses the colloquial phrase fellow. This shift in language suggests that the
speaker doesnt see the workers to be very valuable, alternatively this could also
suggest that the speaker has witnessed the men for long enough that he feels as
if he has a bond with him.
It could be suggested that Simon Armitage explored the theme of failed
romance in his poem. The chainsaw is described to be a very traditional powerful
masculine whereas in contrast the pampas grass is described to be much more
feminine and elegant. For example, the pampas grass is described to have
ludicrous feathers This description could infer that the speaker and the
chainsaw viewed the feathers as being ridiculous. This could be because the
pampas grass represents a glamorous woman and the masculine chainsaw and
speaker do not understand it. Similarly, the poet also describes the pampas
grass to be stealing the show. The use of this common phrase highlights that
the grass is very dramatic and theatrical. It could be suggested that this would
present the pampas grass to be fairly feminine because traditionally it is a more
feminine role to be into theatrical arts. Additionally, the speaker describes that
he dabbed at a stalk that swooned. The use of the verb swooned highlights
that the pampas grass acts very ladylike. It is generally women who swoon,
when they see attractive men that they like. Since the chainsaw is shown to be
have strong rage against the pampas grass this could infer that perhaps the
speaker has had a bad experience with a woman romantically, explaining why he
is taking out all his anger on the feminine grass.
Furthermore, both poets explore the theme of futility. In Andrew Motions From
The Journal of a Disappointed Man We see that the builders were unable to
complete the pier. Earlier in the poem, the men are described to be ruminative.
This suggests that the builders have the ability to think skilfully and do have the
ability to complete the task but they are not working to the best of their ability.
This is concept is further highlighted when the speaker says that Speech was
not something to interest them By using the word interest this suggests that
the men do not care about articulating their ideas to each other but rather just
working. Even though the men are described to be ruminative, they are also
described to communicate with monosyllables. This word highlights that the
workers are not well articulated and cannot speak well expressing a great
contrast to their ruminative thoughts. Alternatively, this could be further
evidence that the speaker has little respect for the builders and view their
language as simple in comparison to his well-spoken English. Additionally the
speaker describes the foreman to be the most original thinker. The use of the
superlative indicates that the speaker believes that most of the workers do not
have deep thoughts. As he finds it acceptable to judge the content of their brain
based merely on their actions. Later in the stanza, this same foreman is
described to turned on his heel and walked away. This quote highlights that
even the smartest of the men failed at their job and left it. The incident is later
described to have suddenly closed. The use of the adverb suddenly infers
that even the speaker is shocked with the builders failures. This poem is able to
express the theme of futility as it shows us that the men were not able to
achieve their goals due to their bad communication with each other. The workers
did not tact into their potential which led to lack of order while trying to build the
pier.

Funmi Falegan 12J

English Essay