This is a 3 page document that provides a thorough essay plan and revision resource. A clear overview of the poem is written, as well as an identification of key themes and analysis of form, structure, language and ideas. Multiple interpretations are also considered by an A* A level English literat...
‘From the journal of a disappointed man’
This poem considers the role of men within society, and interactions between men based on
their different livelihoods and perspectives. The speaker is observing construction workers
and he highlights their physical and perhaps intellectual differences through his somewhat
critical judgements. The poem ends with little progress made for either parties- linking to
the title of the poem.
The key elements of form and structure are:
Very regular structure- four-line stanzas along with even line lengths. This gives the
visual impression of solid blocks and chunks of text. Some readers may see this as a
link to the traditional association between masculinity and strength, with this layout
demonstrating this quality through its consistency and regular shape.
The regularity of the structure highlights the repetitive nature of these construction
workers lives.
The simple structure also suggests that masculinity is flawed through a lack of
development or variety. Also mirroring the simplicity of the workers, the rigid
structure of the poem enforces the idea they act in an almost robotic movement.
There are moments of enjambment in the poem, especially in the first few stanzas -
allowing ideas and imagery to flow. This makes the imagery more effective due to it
being uninterrupted for longer and could be seen as developing a ‘story-like’ setting
of the scene.
Key methods used by the writer to convey their ideas:
Contrast of language in the poem to separate the educated, articulate speaker from the
almost primitive and simplistic workers:
In stanza two, the workers only use monosyllabic words such as “let go” and ‘hold
on’. The speaker continues with ‘nevertheless’- a polysyllabic word, along with other
moments of complex vocabulary. This gives the poem a mocking tone, and its clear
the speaker believes himself to be superior.
It’s clear that not all men, and therefore masculinity, is the same.
Voyeurism of the speaker and his separation form these men:
The poem begins with ‘I discovered these men driving a new pile into the pier’,
o Impression that the speaker is carrying out some sort of scientific discovery,
perhaps showing another form of contrast through science and education
versus manual labour.
o Speaker does not feel part of the other group of men, forming an ‘us versus
them’ perspective, which could be understood as referencing the societal
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