“In the Snack Bar”
Essay Plan
Paragraph 1: Introduction - Begin:
A poem I appreciated was “In the Snack Bar” by Edwin Morgan. I enjoyed this poem because of the poet’s striking use of language and vivid description. It also made me think more deeply about disability and ….
Paragraph 2: Briefly summarise what the poem is about (don’t spend too long on this) - Begin:
The poem tells the story of a disabled man in a Glasgow snackbar ….
Remember to include his disabilities, why he must ask for help, who helps him and where he goes.
Paragraph 3: Talk about the SETTING of the poem. Begin:
The Snackbar itself plays an important role in the poem. It presents many difficulties for the disabled man.
1. Say where the toilets are and why they are so difficult to get to.
2. Mention how the snackbar is not designed for anyone with a disability.
3. Say how the journey is so difficult for the man but would be easy for us.
4. Quote examples of REPETITION and how they help emphasise how long and hard the journey is.
Paragraph 4: Describe how and why Morgan portrays the man as frightening and helpless. Begin:
Morgan describes the man as both frightening and helpless in order to create a complex and ambiguous character.
1. Compare and contrast the ways in which Morgan describes the way the man is presented.
We are meant to feel afraid when he describes the man
We would want to try and avoid him and not help him when he needs it.
We are also meant to feel sorry for him and relieved that we are not like him
Paragraph 5: Discuss the use of SIMILE in the poem. Begin:
Edwin Morgan uses similes in the poem to create images in our mind and make the poem come alive. One example is ….
A further use of simile is ….
Another effective use of simile is on line ….
REMEMBER to use speech marks, give the line of the poem and say whey it is a good use of imagery or comparison.
Paragraph 6: Discuss the use of ONOMATOPOEIA in the poem. Begin:
Morgan uses onomatopoeia to appeal to all our senses apart from sight. He does this to create sound pictures in our minds and help us imagine what it must be like for the blind man. Effective use of words which imitate sounds include ….
Give explanations for your choices and say why you think they are effective/good. (Remember speech marks and line numbers)
Paragraph 7: Talk about the THEME of the poem. Begin:
In the last section of the poem Morgan contemplates what life must be like for the disabled
QUOTE the line “his life depends on others who would evade him”. Talk about how the man must rely on strangers to live his life and how difficult that must be. Mention how you would react if you came across him.
Paragraph 8: Continue with the THEME. Begin:
The poem raises questions about the quality of life and whether such a life is worth living.
Mention that the man in the poem is said to have “the persisting patience of the undefeated” which shows he has a strong will. Talk about your own views on euthanasia (mercy killing) and abortion and whether you ever think they are right.
Paragraph 9: CONCLUSION. Begin:
I enjoyed this poem because of the poet’s use of language. I especially thought his use of ______was particularly effective because ______
The poem also made me think more deeply about disability and ______
CEL “In the Snackbar” by Edwin Morgan
Examine how one poem influenced your emotions.
Introduction
‘In the Snackbar’ by Edwin Morgan is a poem which influenced my emotions …
Emotions - Disgust ® Sympathy ® Admiration
(Give a brief description and mention the theme of the poem)
Part 1 The poet observes the disabled man.Comment on the structure of the poem (3 parts)
What happens at the very beginning?
How does Morgan capture our attention in the first 2 lines?
(Onomatopoeia and alliteration)
Write about Morgan’s description of the disabled man. What techniques create feelings of disgust for the way he looks etc. (word-choice, especially adjectives, simile, line-length and dialogue)
“I notice now his stick” Does the fact that the poet is relating his personal experience make the poem more effective?
Explain clearly what you feel at this point.
Part 2 The poet accompanies the man to the toilet.What does the poet discover about disability? How is this reflected in the length of the second stanza? What feelings does the poet have for the man now?
Explain clearly what you feel as you consider his difficulties/journey.
Going downstairs “landscape to be negotiated” (explain)
“I concentrate my life to his” (explain)
NB senses do not include sight - why?
Onomatopoeia List (explain)
“And slowly we go down” repetition (explain)
The Toilet comment on the description of the man as he enters the toilet.
How does the metaphor here provide a contrast with this image?
ALSO explain “apology for living” in relation to the theme. (See last line)
Washing his hands Comment on the poet’s word choice. What do certain words reveal about the poet’s attitude at this point?
Morgan’s attitude towards the disabled man begins to change as they go back upstairs. What is he feeling about his and his life?
Going upstairs The poet’s attitude develops further on the journey upstairs. Explain how alliteration and the use of negatives ‘unfaltering’ ‘not endless’ help your understanding.
How do you feel towards the man?
Part 3 The poet reflects on the incident.He sums up the man’s life. Explain in your own words what his life consists of.
Why does no one see his face?
His tone is one of pity and anger at how bad his life is and how others treat him.
How does his word choice convey his anger? “evade”
Comment on the significance of the last line and how it relates to the poem’s theme.
Conclusion
Poems are written to make you think, make you see things differently or affect you emotionally.
How has this poem affected you?
V In the Snack Bar
Task “In the snack bar” is one of Edwin Morgan’s best-known poems. After a brief account, go on to discuss the qualities which may account for its popularity.
1. Brief account of the poem eg “This poem is set in a snack bar and tells of an incident when a severely disabled man asks for help to go to the toilet. The poet …
2. Link to question - one of the features of the poem which may account for its popularity is Morgan’s excellent use of language to create pictures in our mind:
a. description of disabled man:
frightening and sinister - quote examples explaining the effect of particular words
weak and feeble - quote examples again explaining effect of particular words
b. description of snack bar:
brings snack bar alive through effective use of language eg opening lines journey through snack bar to toilet you must mention and explain alliteration and onomatopoeia
3. Link to question - another reason for its popularity may be the important issues or themes raised by the poet.
a. Social responsibility - to what extent are we responsible for other people in society? “his life depends on many who would evade him” explain why this might be and what we should do in this situation.
b. Quality of life - is the man’s life worth living? “Dear Chris to be born for this!” would he be better dead? abortion, euthanasia
explain the man has not given up - positive note “He climbs with many pauses …. nature of man”