Background Information:
1980s, cuts in budget for education system in UK
Duffy takes an active role in education
Criticism on the budget cut and education system
Thesis:
Duffy delves in the mind of a young sociopath, implies lack of education as the root or at least an important factor.
-warns society about danger that occurs with no education and criticize the lack of opportunity
“Education for Leisure” (1985)
Today I am going to kill something. Anything. Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: Strong and straightforward introduction, implying simple-mindedness.Gives strong context to the person: desperate, destructive Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: Reinforce his desperateness, perhaps seeking for attention
I have had enough of being ignored and today Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: Shows Immaturity. Also gives background to the character, a school child who is not recognized. Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: Tone: hues of a wounded child
I am going to play God. It is an ordinary day, Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: Growing sense of the speaker: a young man discontented, isolated and neglected, delusion in the society Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: Ironic--- connecting to Duffy’s idea
a sort of grey with boredom stirring in the streets. Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: Simple words--- education system failed him
I squash a fly against the window with my thumb. Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: The idea of playing God may link with the next stanza, where there is a reference to the Shakespeare play ‘King Lear’. The character, Edgar, speaks about ‘wanton boys’ who thoughtlessly kill flies. The children have total power over the insects, just as the speaker believes he has power and can ‘play God.’
We did that at school. Shakespeare. It was in Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT] [2]: Jump to Shakespeare example: lack of flow--- Imply this kid that his thinking doesn’t flow together, his thinking doesn’t work together--- Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: Bitter tone: feel likes a victim with no control over his future Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: Shows he doesn’t understand what is being taught as school, points to poor education.
another language and now the fly is in another language. Comment by Annie Sun [STUDENT]: The announcement of the death of...