By Simon Armitage.
Themes In Armitage's Poems ...
The Poem.
Kid
- Batman, big shot, when you gave the orderto grow up, then let me loose to wanderleeward, freely through the wild blue yonderas you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,in the gutter ... well, I turned the corner.Now I've scotched that 'he was like a fatherto me' rumour, sacked it, blown the coveron that 'he was like an elder brother'story, let the cat out on that caperwith the married woman, how you took herdowntown on expenses in the motor.Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker!Holy roll-me-over-in the-clover,I'm not playing ball boy any longerBatman, now I've doffed that off-the-shoulderSherwood-Forest-green and scarlet numberfor a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;now I'm taller, harder, stronger, older.Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:you without a shadow, stewing overchicken giblets in the pressure cooker,next to nothing in the walk-in larder,punching the palm of your hand all winter,you baby, now I'm the real boy wonder.
http://prezi.com/rbyejaull2js/kid/
From the first word of the poem we know that there is a connection here with Batman, and reading on we discover that the narrator here is his sidekick, Robin, now grown up and overflowing with confidence.
Robin talks about how he has separated from Batman and is learning to lead his own, self-determining life. In the procedure he publicises some of Batman's secrets. This shows us the 'superhero' in a new light. Robin ends up stronger and more established. The poem is often humorous but has a vital message too.
This is a terrifically fast-paced poem, conveying a sense of the energy and exuberance of youth. The repetition of words ending in -er at the end of each of the twenty-four lines adds to the feeling of speed, with one line rushing into the next.
The poem is packed with witty, self-assured language, plays on words that leave us in no doubt that Robin is taking over the major role from Batman. Abandoned by the 'father figure' that he no longer needs,
Attitude, Tone & Ideas...
Much of the meaning of a poem is conveyed by the attitude it expresses toward its subject matter. 'Attitude' can be thought of as a combination of the poet's tone of voice, and the ideas he or she is trying to get across to the reader.
To decide on the tone, you need to think about the ideas and attitudes in the poem, and then decide how you would read it aloud.
The poem could be read:
* in a bitter way, suggesting Robin is angry that Batman prevented him from growing up for so long
* in a thoughtful way, suggesting that Robin is reflecting on his experiences with Batman
* triumphantly, showing Robin's delight that he is free of Batman at last.
Most readers will probably feel that the tone should be mainly triumphantly, showing Robin's delight that he is free of Batman at last, yet it could be read thoughtfully.
Ideas:
The poem consists of a single stanza of 24 lines. The lines are pentameters (they have 10 syllables each).
- Scandal or bad taste - the report of Batman's adventure with a married woman
• Punning - for example “caper” (which suggests Batman's and Robin's capes, and Batman's nickname of the Caped Crusader) or the word association of “robin-redbreast-nest-egg”
• Parody - using Batman's favourite adjective “holy” in extravagant noun phrases
• Incongruity - Robin's using British slang (“motor” for the Batmobile), naval jargon (“wander leeward”) and referring to “jeans” and a “crew-neck jumper”
• Self-ridicule - mocking the superhero outfit, the “off-the-shoulder/Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number”
• Bathos - Batman's near-empty larder - showing how he used to rely on Robin to shop for food (not something mentioned in the original stories)
- Aliteration - The repeating of initial sounds.
- Assonance - Is the term used for the repetition of vowel sounds within consecutive words as in, 'rags of green weed hung down...' .
- Metaphor - Comparing two things by saying one is the other.
- Simile - Comparing two things saying one is like or as the other.
- Personification - Giving something non-human, human qualities.
- Onomatopoeia - Words that sound like the thing they describe.
- Repetition - Does the poet repeat words or phrases?
The imagery in the opening lines shows the contrast between the way Batman saw his separation with Robin, when he 'generously' let him free to explore the wild blue yonder (line 3), to Robin's more down to earth view of events - ditched me... in the gutter (line 5). We wonder what really happened between them...
Robin uses various cliched phrases as he tells us that he has scotched that... rumour, sacked it, blown the cover... let the cat out (lines 6-9), perhaps because he is boasting of the power that releasing these secrets has given him over Batman. The casual language makes it sound as if he is showing off to his mates. The casual use of motor for the Batmobile also suggests he is trying to impress us.
Thank You For Watching ...
By Imran Arshad.
' Kid '
- Psychological Exploration ...
- Trust / Lack Of Trust ...
- Memories Of Childhood ...