Summary
Summary English IEB Poetry: Touch
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In depth analysis of Touch by Hugh Lewis IEB 2024
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Touch - Hugh LewisWhen I get out
The speaker expresses a longing for gentle I'm going to ask someone The repetition of "for seven years"
and slow touch, suggesting a deep craving for emphasizes the prolonged duration of
sensory experience and emotional connection.
to touch me isolation from physical contact.
There's a clear desire to rediscover the very gently please "Untouched" and "out of touch" play on the
sensations of life that have been absent, and slowly, dual meanings of physical touch and
indicating a profound deprivation of human touch me emotional connection, highlighting a sense of
contact. I want isolation and loneliness.
The repetition of "touch me" emphasizes the to learn again The phrase "the meaning of untouchable"
intensity of the desire and underscores the suggests a deep understanding of feeling
emotional emptiness caused by the lack of
how life feels. beyond reach or inaccessible to others.
physical intimacy. The use of past tense "I've not been touched"
The use of "learn again how life feels" I've not been touched indicates a reflective tone, looking back on a
suggests that touch is perceived as a for seven years period of absence rather than the present
fundamental aspect of human existence, for seven years moment.
essential for emotional and psychological well- I've been untouched The progression from "not been touched" to
"untouchable" suggests a gradual realization
being. out of touch of the emotional and psychological impact of
Overall, this passage highlights the speaker's and I've learnt isolation from touch.
vulnerability and the healing potential of to know now Overall, this part of the poem conveys a
gentle touch in restoring a sense of aliveness complex mix of longing for touch,
and connection after a period of isolation and the meaning of untouchable.
introspection on its absence, and a deeper
trauma. understanding of its significance in human
Untouched-not quite connection.
I can count the things
The use of "fists" evokes a sense of violence that have touched me
and aggression, setting a stark contrast to the
gentleness sought later. One: fists
"Fierce mad fists" intensifies the brutality and At the beginning
lack of control in the initial physical fierce mad fists
interactions. beating beating
The repetition of "beating beating" emphasizes The poem describes a period marked by
the relentless and traumatic nature of the till I remember relentless, daily intrusion and invasion of
physical abuse. screaming personal space.
The plea "Don't touch me, please don't touch Don't touch me The use of "paws" metaphorically depicts
me" highlights the speaker's desperate attempt please don't touch me. the dehumanizing nature of the
to stop the violence and regain autonomy over interactions, possibly suggesting a lack of
their body. Two: paws empathy or regard for personal
The use of short, direct sentences increases the boundaries.
impact and emotional intensity of the speaker's The first four years of paws The repetition of actions like "patting"
trauma. every day and "prodding" emphasizes the systematic
Overall, this passage captures the fear, pain, patting paws, searching and indifferent nature of the touch.
and lasting psychological impact of physical - arms up, shoes off "Arms up, shoes off, legs apart" suggests
abuse, contrasting sharply with the longing for a routine that strips away autonomy and
healing touch expressed later in the poem. legs apart - privacy.
prodding paws, systematic The adjective "heavy" implies the weight
heavy, indifferent and impact of these interactions,
probing away potentially implying a sense of oppression
The speaker rejects past experiences of or burden.
aggressive touch, symbolized by "fists and all privacy. Overall, this stanza portrays a prolonged
paws." experience of unwanted physical contact
Expresses a desire to rediscover the desire for I don't want fists and paws that has deeply affected the speaker's
positive touch. I want sense of personal autonomy and comfort.
Highlights a longing to both receive and give
affectionate touch. to want to be touched
Emphasizes the connection between physical again
touch and feeling alive. and to touch,
Conveys a plea for human connection and I want to feel alive
intimacy after a period of isolation. again
Reflects a profound yearning for validation and want to say
emotional connection through touch.
when I get out
Here am
please touch me.
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