Analysis of "Hotel Room, 12th Floor" by MacCaig
Hotel Room, 12
th
Floor
National 5 PPT
Context
•
Is an autobiographical poem, written in 1966.
•
It documents a personal experience of MacCaig’s like ‘Aunt Julia’ and ‘Basking Shark’. Like
both of these poems, it’s concerns are not limited to MacCaig – he uses the poem, and his
own experiences described, to pose broader questions about humanity.
•
Looks at the balance between light and dark, good and evil and humanity’s role in a
developing today’s society.
•
MacCaig makes reference to the technological advances and achievements of modern-day
America, such as the Empire State Building and the PanAm skyscraper.
•
However, he also considers the violent past of America (the Wild West), and compares this
past aggression to the aggression felt in the country at present.
•
By tracing the thread of violence throughout American history to the present MacCaig
suggests that technological progress has not resulted in good society.
•
In this sense, this is a bleak + negative poem that predicts that evil will always exist.
Mood/Atmosphere
•
The poem begins with light-hearted imagery,
with the Empire State Building compared to a
‘jumbo size dentist’s drill’.
•
The mood gradually becomes more serious
(sombre) and reflective, with the ominous
conclusion that ‘no stockades can keep the
midnight out’ as humans seek shelter from
the ‘uncivilised darkness’ that night brings.
Form/Structure
•
‘Hotel Room, 12
th
Floor’ is written in free-verse (poetry that
doesn’t have a regular rhyme/rhythm)
•
Free-verse often enabled MacCaig to explore themes
without a restrictive, defined structure – ‘Hotel Room 12
th
Floor’ is a good example of this, as is ‘Visiting Hour’.
•
3 stanzas – no rhyming scheme.
•
It takes the reader through chronological parts of the day,
starting in the morning, moving to evening at the close of
stanza one before exploring night-time in stanza two.
Title:
Hotel Room,
12
th
Floor
•
“Hotel Room” = He is only staying for a short
time, passing through. Not permanent.
•
“12
th
Floor” = he is in an elevated position –
high above the city. This allows him a
different perspective on the city.
Stanza One
This morning I watched from here
a helicopter skirting like a damaged insect
the Empire State Building, that
jumbo size dentist’s drill, and landing
on the roof of the PanAm skyscraper.
But now midnight has come in
from foreign places. Its uncivilised darkness
is shot at by a million lit windows, all
ups and acrosses
This morning I watched from here
a helicopter skirting like a damaged insect
the
Empire State Building
, that
•
Sense of time passing.
•
“I watched” shows he is passive – not involved.
•
“This morning” + “from here” – specific time +
location
makes feel more realistic
.
•
Simile
•
Helicopter = symbol of technological
advancement
•
Compared to “damaged insect” –
connotations of something insignificant,
unsteadiness, annoying and broken
•
Word choice “skirting” – is going around
in circles like an insect with a broken wing
would. It is aimless and broken just like
society is.
•
Historical context!
•
The Empire State
Building, was the world’s
tallest building when
poem written.
•
It therefore represents
America’s power and
progress.
jumbo size dentist’s drill
, and
landing
on the roof of the PanAm skyscraper.
But now midnight has come in
•
MacCaig compares iconic landmark – tourist attraction + symbol of America’s
power and dominance – to a machine that connotes fear and pain.
•
Symbolises the suffering of people left behind by progress.
•
Suggests that a building of this size is pointless. He seems to criticise an
(American) view that ‘bigger is better’.
•
MacCaig also showing his dislike of the appearance of the building.
•
PanAm – Pan American Airlines, a
major airline that connected
America to the rest or the world.
•
Symbolic and iconic
America’s
power and progress.
•
The skyscraper – [imagery/word
choice] was their Headquarters in
New York
connotes freedom and
escape.
•
“But” – turning point. No longer
morning + TP in atmosphere
will become more sinister.
•
“come in” suggests midnight is
not invited, has turned up.
•
“Midnight” = connotations of
darkness, fear, the unknown
from foreign places. Its uncivilised
darkness
is shot at by a million lit windows, all
ups and acrosses
•
“foreign” – unfamiliar, unknown, strange, not understood
•
Something that is not understood is seen as being strange and
frightening.
•
Links to the extended metaphor of the “Wild West” –Native Americans
seen as savages (“uncivilised”) because were not like the settlers.
•
“darkness” - what cannot be seen is to be feared. Links to a central
theme of the constant battle between light and darkness.
•
1
st
sign of violence – links to extended metaphor of Wild West.
•
Assonance (internal rhyme) of ‘million lit windows’ adds impact and scale –
suggests strength in numbers against the dark.
•
Darkness in battle with artificial light, alongside its connotations of life,
knowledge and progress.
•
Raises questions about humanity’s ability to use its own inventions (electric light
in man-made buildings) to combat the inevitable return of night and darkness.
•
Suggests a crossword puzzle –
visual image of a grid of
contrasting squares
•
Suggests that the city is a puzzle
with no clues.
•
Connotes
business/unpredictability within
the structure.
Stanza Two
But midnight is not
so easily defeated. I lie in bed, between
a radio and a television set, and hear
the wildest of warwhoops continually ululating
through
the glittering canyons and gulches—
police cars and ambulances racing
to the broken bones, the harsh screaming
from coldwater flats, the blood
glazed on sidewalks.
But midnight is not
so easily defeated. I lie in bed,
between
a radio and a television set,
and hear
•
Enjambment
•
“not” suggests negativity =
pessimistic tone.
•
The use of ’But’ at the start of the sentence links back to “but” used
as TP in Stanza 1.
•
Continues the image of battle between good and evil.
•
Extended metaphor portrays the violence of the city as a fight in the
Wild West.
•
Struggle against the darkness is
futile.
•
“I lie in bed” = he is still
passive, though now no longer
seeing the city outside
•
He is “in” bed, suggesting he is
trying to sleep
trying to
block out violence?
•
Suggesting we are surrounded
by technology.
•
Or could suggest MacCaig trying
to use technology to drown out
the sounds of violence from the
city outside.
the wildest of warwhoops continually
ululating
through
the glittering canyons and gulches—
police cars and ambulances racing
•
The war cries of the Native American warriors charging
into battle now suggest a battle of a different kind.
•
“wildest”
connotations of uncivilised, brutal culture
•
Sound techniques – alliteration and assonance = flow
and rhythm to the line.
•
Suggestion
may be hearing “warwhoops” from a
Western film on the T.V.
•
The desert landscape of the Old
West has now become the 1960’s
New York skyline.
•
Links to the extended metaphor of
the ‘Wild West’.
•
“glittering” – refers to lights
still
fighting against the darkness
The war cries of old are now alarming
cries of a modern age – sirens “racing”
suggests urgency.
•
Means
howl/wail
•
Onomatopoeia
repeated
stereotypical sound that
Native Americans would be
shown making in a Western
film or TV show.
•
It compares these repeated
noises with the constant
howl of sirens in the city
streets.
Timed Papers
•
Timed Scottish Texts paper
Wednesday 12
th
December
.
•
You will get 10 minutes to study at beginning of lesson, and 1
hour to complete (will be 45 minutes in exam).
•
You will be allowed to use your annotated poems in the paper
– that is all.
•
You will do a
second
timed paper on the final Wednesday of
this term –
19
th
December
.
No notes
allowed during this one.
•
For this, you will get 50 minutes.
to the broken bones, the harsh screaming
from coldwater flats, the blood
glazed
on sidewalks.
•
Synecdoche (when one part substituted for whole) – here broken
bones = dead bodies/society
•
“broken bones” emphasises serious level of violence.
•
“harsh screaming” = fear, grief or panic
•
People reduced to damaged body parts, noises, spilled fluids.
•
Suggests the place of humans in this society has been lost.
•
Refers to the less luxurious, basic flats
•
MacCaig makes point
t
echnological advances
not benefitting all
•
Certain elements of society have been left
behind in the pursuit of materialism.
•
This impoverished way of living for some then
translates to the streets in form of violence.
•
The skyscrapers may be glazed with windows but
the sidewalk is glazed with blood.
WC - “glazed” suggests a lot
of blood – again draws
attention to harsh, painful
reality of the modern city
after dark
Stanza Three
The frontier is never
somewhere else. And no stockades
can keep the midnight out.
The frontier
is
never
somewhere else
. And no
stockades
can keep the midnight out.
•
Another reference to the extended ‘Wild
West’ metaphor.
•
The Frontier battles between the Native
Americans and the settlers were brutal and
bloody.
Word choice / enjambment – “never”
again stresses the negative
•
A frontier = often an artificial construct.
•
In the Wild West, a frontier was often used
to describe a border between civilised and
uncivilised societies.
•
By saying that the frontier is never
somewhere else, MacCaig suggests that
what we see as uncivilised is always with
us, always a part of us.
•
The suggestion is that the conflict between
light and dark, both literal and
metaphorical, cannot be avoided.
** Stanza made up of two negative sentences, creating a pessimistic tone.
Word choice of
“stockades” continues the
extended metaphor,
allowing MacCaig to sum
up the central concerns of
his poem in the closing
lines.
Whatever we do, however
many barriers we put up to
keep out the darkness, any
resistance is futile.
WC “midnight” = pessimistic,
negative, frightening.
Enjambment
•
Used throughout the poem.
•
When a sentence runs onto next line with no
punctuation at the end of the line.
•
Used to demonstrate the destructive impact
of technology
as has destroyed structure of
the poem.
Context
•
Is an autobiographical poem, written in 1966.
•
It documents a personal experience . He uses the poem, and his own
experiences described, to pose broader questions about humanity.
•
Looks at the balance between light and dark, good and evil and humanity’s role
in a developing today’s society.
•
MacCaig makes reference to the technological advances and achievements of
modern-day America (the Empire State Building and the PanAm skyscraper).
•
Considers the violent past of America (the Wild West), and compares this past
aggression to the aggression felt in the country at present.
•
This is a bleak + negative poem that predicts that evil will always exist.
Form/Structure
•
‘Hotel Room, 12
th
Floor’ is written in free-verse (poetry
that doesn’t have a regular rhyme/rhythm).
•
Free-verse allows MacCaig to explore themes without a
restrictive, defined structure (similar to Visiting Hour).
•
Takes the reader through chronological parts of the day
– starting in the morning, moving to evening at the
close of stanza one, before exploring night-time in
stanza two.
Themes
•
Fear
•
Good vs Evil
•
Technology (= destructive)
•
Light vs Dark
•
Place/people
•
Humanity
•
Violence
•
Suffering
Mood/Atmosphere
•
The poem begins with light-hearted imagery.
•
The mood gradually becomes more serious
(sombre) and reflective, with the ominous
conclusion that there is nothing we can do to
keep the darkness out.
Quick Quiz
Complete in jotter + get homework
out.
•
Write down a
brief summary
of
Hotel Room, 12
th
Floor.
•
There is an
extended metaphor
used throughout
the poem. What is it? Why is it used/what does it
show?
•
“I watched from here/ a helicopter skirting like a
damaged insect”.
How does this quotation demonstrate the theme
of technology? What is it trying to tell us?
Comparing with other poems
Key Message
•
By tracing the thread of violence throughout
American history to the present, MacCaig
suggests that technological progress has not
resulted in world which is civil.
•
The fact that he sees the violence everywhere in
NYC, suggests that violence is a part of society
cannot be taken out/destroyed/kept at bay.
•
In this sense, this is a bleak poem that predicts
that evil will always exist as a part of human life.
Timed Paper
•
5 minutes to revise – begin
11:30
.
•
Only
annotated poems allowed.
•
1 hour to complete – ends
12:30
.
•
Some students get extra time so will be
working until 12:45.
•
For those in class finished, you will be expected
to complete a question paper projected onto
the board
in silence
until the end of the period,
whilst they complete their paper.
Textual Analysis
1.
Look at Stanza 1.
Through reference to at least 2 examples of
language, explain how MacCaig develops a
criticism of technology. (4 marks)
2.
Look at Stanza 2.
Refer to at least 2 poetic techniques, and
discuss how MacCaig introduces a
sinister
tone.
(2 marks)
Mention tone + Quote + Explanation (how does it
show it)
+ Can you talk about word choice?
+
refer to question.
Textual Analysis
3. Through reference to at least two poetic
techniques, discuss how MacCaig demonstrates
the theme of violence. (4 marks)
4. How effective is the first stanza as an opening
to the poem? (2 marks)
Textual Analysis
Through reference to Hotel Room, 12
th
Floor,
and at least one other poem by MacCaig, show
how the poet uses the
observation of people
and/or place
to demonstrate the
key ideas
of
the text.
(8 marks)
Plan
•
Which poems?
•
What are their main ideas?
•
How do they use observation of people/place
to show them?
An in-depth analysis of the poem "Hotel Room, 12th Floor" by MacCaig, written in 1966. The poem delves into broader questions about humanity, contrasting technological progress with past and present aggression in American society. It explores the balance between light and dark, good and evil, and the theme that evil will always exist despite advances in society. The poem's mood shifts from light-hearted to somber, reflecting on humanity's quest for shelter from darkness. Structured as free-verse, the poem chronicles different parts of the day to offer varied perspectives. The title reflects the transient nature of the speaker's stay and his elevated viewpoint above the city.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Hotel Room, 12thFloor National 5 PPT
Context Is an autobiographical poem, written in 1966. It documents a personal experience of MacCaig s like Aunt Julia and Basking Shark . Like both of these poems, it s concerns are not limited to MacCaig he uses the poem, and his own experiences described, to pose broader questions about humanity. Looks at the balance between light and dark, good and evil and humanity s role in a developing today s society. MacCaig makes reference to the technological advances and achievements of modern-day America, such as the Empire State Building and the PanAm skyscraper. However, he also considers the violent past of America (the Wild West), and compares this past aggression to the aggression felt in the country at present. By tracing the thread of violence throughout American history to the present MacCaig suggests that technological progress has not resulted in good society. In this sense, this is a bleak + negative poem that predicts that evil will always exist.
Mood/Atmosphere The poem begins with light-hearted imagery, with the Empire State Building compared to a jumbo size dentist s drill . The mood gradually becomes more serious (sombre) and reflective, with the ominous conclusion that no stockades can keep the midnight out as humans seek shelter from the uncivilised darkness that night brings.
Form/Structure Hotel Room, 12thFloor is written in free-verse (poetry that doesn t have a regular rhyme/rhythm) Free-verse often enabled MacCaig to explore themes without a restrictive, defined structure Hotel Room 12th Floor is a good example of this, as is Visiting Hour . 3 stanzas no rhyming scheme. It takes the reader through chronological parts of the day, starting in the morning, moving to evening at the close of stanza one before exploring night-time in stanza two.
Title: Hotel Room, 12thFloor Hotel Room = He is only staying for a short time, passing through. Not permanent. 12thFloor = he is in an elevated position high above the city. This allows him a different perspective on the city.
Stanza One This morning I watched from here a helicopter skirting like a damaged insect the Empire State Building, that jumbo size dentist s drill, and landing on the roof of the PanAm skyscraper. But now midnight has come in from foreign places. Its uncivilised darkness is shot at by a million lit windows, all ups and acrosses
Sense of time passing. I watched shows he is passive not involved. This morning + from here specific time + location makes feel more realistic. This morning I watched from here a helicopter skirting like a damaged insect the Empire State Building, that Simile Helicopter = symbol of technological advancement Compared to damaged insect connotations of something insignificant, unsteadiness, annoying and broken Word choice skirting is going around in circles like an insect with a broken wing would. It is aimless and broken just like society is. Historical context! The Empire State Building, was the world s tallest building when poem written. It therefore represents America s power and progress.
MacCaig compares iconic landmark tourist attraction + symbol of Americas power and dominance to a machine that connotes fear and pain. Symbolises the suffering of people left behind by progress. Suggests that a building of this size is pointless. He seems to criticise an (American) view that bigger is better . MacCaig also showing his dislike of the appearance of the building. jumbo size dentist s drill, and landing on the roof of the PanAm skyscraper. But now midnight has come in PanAm Pan American Airlines, a major airline that connected America to the rest or the world. Symbolic and iconic power and progress. The skyscraper [imagery/word choice] was their Headquarters in New York connotes freedom and escape. But turning point. No longer morning + TP in atmosphere will become more sinister. come in suggests midnight is not invited, has turned up. Midnight = connotations of darkness, fear, the unknown America s
foreign unfamiliar, unknown, strange, not understood Something that is not understood is seen as being strange and frightening. Links to the extended metaphor of the Wild West Native Americans seen as savages ( uncivilised ) because were not like the settlers. darkness - what cannot be seen is to be feared. Links to a central theme of the constant battle between light and darkness. Suggests a crossword puzzle visual image of a grid of contrasting squares Suggests that the city is a puzzle with no clues. Connotes business/unpredictability within the structure. from foreign places. Its uncivilised darkness is shot at by a million lit windows, all ups and acrosses 1st sign of violence links to extended metaphor of Wild West. Assonance (internal rhyme) of million lit windows adds impact and scale suggests strength in numbers against the dark. Darkness in battle with artificial light, alongside its connotations of life, knowledge and progress. Raises questions about humanity s ability to use its own inventions (electric light in man-made buildings) to combat the inevitable return of night and darkness.
Stanza Two But midnight is not so easily defeated. I lie in bed, between a radio and a television set, and hear the wildest of warwhoops continually ululating through the glittering canyons and gulches police cars and ambulances racing to the broken bones, the harsh screaming from coldwater flats, the blood glazed on sidewalks.
Enjambment not suggests negativity = pessimistic tone. The use of But at the start of the sentence links back to but used as TP in Stanza 1. Continues the image of battle between good and evil. Extended metaphor portrays the violence of the city as a fight in the Wild West. But midnight is not so easily defeated. I lie in bed, between a radio and a television set, and hear Struggle against the darkness is futile. I lie in bed = he is still passive, though now no longer seeing the city outside He is in bed, suggesting he is trying to sleep block out violence? Suggesting we are surrounded by technology. Or could suggest MacCaig trying to use technology to drown out the sounds of violence from the city outside. trying to
The war cries of the Native American warriors charging into battle now suggest a battle of a different kind. wildest connotations of uncivilised, brutal culture Sound techniques alliteration and assonance = flow and rhythm to the line. Suggestion may be hearing warwhoops from a Western film on the T.V. Means Onomatopoeia stereotypical sound that Native Americans would be shown making in a Western film or TV show. It compares these repeated noises with the constant howl of sirens in the city streets. howl/wail repeated the wildest of warwhoops continually ululating through the glittering canyons and gulches police cars and ambulances racing The desert landscape of the Old West has now become the 1960 s New York skyline. Links to the extended metaphor of the Wild West . glittering refers to lights fighting against the darkness The war cries of old are now alarming cries of a modern age sirens racing suggests urgency. still
Timed Papers Timed Scottish Texts paper Wednesday 12th December. You will get 10 minutes to study at beginning of lesson, and 1 hour to complete (will be 45 minutes in exam). You will be allowed to use your annotated poems in the paper that is all. You will do a second timed paper on the final Wednesday of this term 19th December. No notes allowed during this one. For this, you will get 50 minutes.
Synecdoche (when one part substituted for whole) here broken bones = dead bodies/society broken bones emphasises serious level of violence. harsh screaming = fear, grief or panic People reduced to damaged body parts, noises, spilled fluids. Suggests the place of humans in this society has been lost. to the broken bones, the harsh screaming from coldwater flats, the blood glazed on sidewalks. Refers to the less luxurious, basic flats MacCaig makes point not benefitting all Certain elements of society have been left behind in the pursuit of materialism. This impoverished way of living for some then translates to the streets in form of violence. The skyscrapers may be glazed with windows but the sidewalk is glazed with blood. technological advances WC - glazed suggests a lot of blood again draws attention to harsh, painful reality of the modern city after dark
Stanza Three The frontier is never somewhere else. And no stockades can keep the midnight out.
** Stanza made up of two negative sentences, creating a pessimistic tone. Another reference to the extended Wild West metaphor. The Frontier battles between the Native Americans and the settlers were brutal and bloody. Word choice / enjambment never again stresses the negative Word choice of stockades continues the extended metaphor, allowing MacCaig to sum up the central concerns of his poem in the closing lines. The frontier is never somewhere else. And no stockades can keep the midnight out. A frontier = often an artificial construct. In the Wild West, a frontier was often used to describe a border between civilised and uncivilised societies. By saying that the frontier is never somewhere else, MacCaig suggests that what we see as uncivilised is always with us, always a part of us. The suggestion is that the conflict between light and dark, both literal and metaphorical, cannot be avoided. Whatever we do, however many barriers we put up to keep out the darkness, any resistance is futile. WC midnight = pessimistic, negative, frightening.
Enjambment Used throughout the poem. When a sentence runs onto next line with no punctuation at the end of the line. Used to demonstrate the destructive impact of technology as has destroyed structure of the poem.
Context Is an autobiographical poem, written in 1966. It documents a personal experience . He uses the poem, and his own experiences described, to pose broader questions about humanity. Looks at the balance between light and dark, good and evil and humanity s role in a developing today s society. MacCaig makes reference to the technological advances and achievements of modern-day America (the Empire State Building and the PanAm skyscraper). Considers the violent past of America (the Wild West), and compares this past aggression to the aggression felt in the country at present. This is a bleak + negative poem that predicts that evil will always exist.
Form/Structure Hotel Room, 12thFloor is written in free-verse (poetry that doesn t have a regular rhyme/rhythm). Free-verse allows MacCaig to explore themes without a restrictive, defined structure (similar to Visiting Hour). Takes the reader through chronological parts of the day starting in the morning, moving to evening at the close of stanza one, before exploring night-time in stanza two.
Themes Fear Good vs Evil Technology (= destructive) Light vs Dark Place/people Humanity Violence Suffering
Mood/Atmosphere The poem begins with light-hearted imagery. The mood gradually becomes more serious (sombre) and reflective, with the ominous conclusion that there is nothing we can do to keep the darkness out.
Quick Quiz Complete in jotter + get homework out. Write down a brief summary of Hotel Room, 12th Floor. There is an extended metaphor used throughout the poem. What is it? Why is it used/what does it show? I watched from here/ a helicopter skirting like a damaged insect . How does this quotation demonstrate the theme of technology? What is it trying to tell us?
Comparing with other poems Hotel Room, 12th Floor Idea Visiting Hour Aunt Julia Technology is a destructive force. Violence is present everywhere. Observation of People/Place Suffering (of humanity) Fear Tone of despair/pessimism Personal Experience
Key Message By tracing the thread of violence throughout American history to the present, MacCaig suggests that technological progress has not resulted in world which is civil. The fact that he sees the violence everywhere in NYC, suggests that violence is a part of society cannot be taken out/destroyed/kept at bay. In this sense, this is a bleak poem that predicts that evil will always exist as a part of human life.
Timed Paper 5 minutes to revise begin 11:30. Only annotated poems allowed. 1 hour to complete ends 12:30. Some students get extra time so will be working until 12:45. For those in class finished, you will be expected to complete a question paper projected onto the board in silence until the end of the period, whilst they complete their paper.
Textual Analysis 1. Look at Stanza 1. Through reference to at least 2 examples of language, explain how MacCaig develops a criticism of technology. (4 marks) 2. Look at Stanza 2. Refer to at least 2 poetic techniques, and discuss how MacCaig introduces a sinister tone. (2 marks) Mention tone + Quote + Explanation (how does it show it) + Can you talk about word choice? + refer to question.
Textual Analysis 3. Through reference to at least two poetic techniques, discuss how MacCaig demonstrates the theme of violence. (4 marks) 4. How effective is the first stanza as an opening to the poem? (2 marks)
Textual Analysis Through reference to Hotel Room, 12th Floor, and at least one other poem by MacCaig, show how the poet uses the observation of people and/or place to demonstrate the key ideas of the text. (8 marks)
Plan Which poems? What are their main ideas? How do they use observation of people/place to show them?
