Brooklyn Cop
Brooklyn Cop
The poem Brooklyn Cop was written by Norman MacCaig. This poem stereotypically represents all Brooklyn Cops and convey what they go through on a typical shift. MacCaig uses realistic characterisation, imagery and attack on the senses. violent setting to enguage with the reader and evoke a sense of sympathy
MacCaig uses a shocking description to introduce the cop, through a simile. The relevance of “ built like a gorilla” is that he is conveying to the reader how large a physique he has , conveying a sense of being very strong and powerful. The complexion of the Brooklyn cop concerns the reader as the cop clearly has a very unhealthy skin tone. Evidence of this is word choice of : “steak coloured “ , which conveys negative connotations of bloody and grey. The imagery of “hieroglyphs” is affective because it is hinting at a previous violent history referring to scars he has. Scars deeply cut into his skin and resembling ancient symbols telling a story would be quite an intimidating sight. The poet has affectively conveyed an image of a brutal setting from connotations of danger, crime and violence. MacCaig affectively uses a cliché in the first verse “see you, babe”. To convey an alternative side to the cop. Outwardly , he may seem a scary face, but inwardly he has feelings. This softer side makes him seem a far nicer person.
Repetition in verse two, for example appears through the word choice and reinforces the cops apprehension that he is sure that violence will break out , sooner rather than later .We see this through the imagery of “should the tissue tear” . MacCcaig continues with the words “plunge” and "clubbings" , are affective because “plunge” has connotations of heaviness and vastely . lack of power while “clubbings” has connotations of being struck with a weapon. The poet engages the reader through the sense of sight and sound . We can almost hear the thud of the footsteps and feel the vibrations as we watch
The poem Brooklyn Cop was written by Norman MacCaig. This poem stereotypically represents all Brooklyn Cops and convey what they go through on a typical shift. MacCaig uses realistic characterisation, imagery and attack on the senses. violent setting to enguage with the reader and evoke a sense of sympathy
MacCaig uses a shocking description to introduce the cop, through a simile. The relevance of “ built like a gorilla” is that he is conveying to the reader how large a physique he has , conveying a sense of being very strong and powerful. The complexion of the Brooklyn cop concerns the reader as the cop clearly has a very unhealthy skin tone. Evidence of this is word choice of : “steak coloured “ , which conveys negative connotations of bloody and grey. The imagery of “hieroglyphs” is affective because it is hinting at a previous violent history referring to scars he has. Scars deeply cut into his skin and resembling ancient symbols telling a story would be quite an intimidating sight. The poet has affectively conveyed an image of a brutal setting from connotations of danger, crime and violence. MacCaig affectively uses a cliché in the first verse “see you, babe”. To convey an alternative side to the cop. Outwardly , he may seem a scary face, but inwardly he has feelings. This softer side makes him seem a far nicer person.
Repetition in verse two, for example appears through the word choice and reinforces the cops apprehension that he is sure that violence will break out , sooner rather than later .We see this through the imagery of “should the tissue tear” . MacCcaig continues with the words “plunge” and "clubbings" , are affective because “plunge” has connotations of heaviness and vastely . lack of power while “clubbings” has connotations of being struck with a weapon. The poet engages the reader through the sense of sight and sound . We can almost hear the thud of the footsteps and feel the vibrations as we watch