Chainsaw Versus the Pampas Grass by Simon Armitage

Chainsaw Versus the Pampas Grass by Simon Armitage

1. Considers both a “Chainsaw” and “Pampas Grass” and the contrasts between them

2. The relationship between man-made, physical objects, with nature and the natural world

3. Poem structure

   • Variation in the line length
     • The mix of line lengths could also be seen as representing the destructive nature of the chainsaw, and it’s reckless and unrestricted power in turn damaging and destroying the structure of the poem, making it look more uneven and fragmented.
   • No enjambment in stanzas with each one contained within its own section with end-stopped lines
     • In some ways this could be seen as the control of humanity over natural form and structure with unnatural barriers, with some readers perhaps considering the difference in the poem if there were free-flowing stanzas with less end-stopped lines; an arguably more ‘fluid’ and ‘natural’ structure.
   • Conversational structure
     • Range in punctuation all combining to create this effect
     • Mix of short and long sentences, a generally informal tone

4. Poetic techniques

   • Personification
     • “grinding its teeth” and “it knocked back”
     • These descriptions help to make the object seem more formidable through the combination of the existing qualities of a chainsaw with the added ability and power of humans.
       • Therefore, this could be interpreted as showing a representation of humans and their destruction of the environment.
   • Sibilance
     • Connotation of snakes and danger, makes a reader feel wary of the chainsaw and the potential for danger and destruction.
   • Repeated use of certain sounds
     • “felt” “flesh” and “flare”
     • Repeatedly towards the end of the third stanza, which can sound like the humming of an engine, further evoking ideas of power and human machinery.
   • Powerful and dominant language
     • Plosive sound on “dismissed” helping to reinforce this idea, and link to masculine strength. Surprisingly these descriptions are not constrained to just the chainsaw, but also the pampas grass with lines such as “its twelve-foot spears” indicating an overlooked ability of the grass, and by extension the natural world, to defend itself.

5. Themes

   • Conflict
     • This theme is shown through the battles and fights between the chainsaw and the pampas grass, acting as representation of the battle between humanity and man made materials with the natural world and nature.
   • Masculinity
     • The masculine power is highlighted through phallic imagery in the poem. Even with males being stereotypically seen as the physically stronger sex, the lack of femininity could highlight the flaw in this masculine situation and inability for the chainsaw to succeed, making ‘Chainsaw Versus the Pampas Grass’ a fairer fight than it may have seemed initially.
   • Power
     • There is extreme power exhibited by the chainsaw throughout the poem, with the potential of harm adding to the sense of power and brutality. However, the grass also shows power albeit more subtly in that it is able to survive. This battle and contrast between to types of power is a key consideration throughout the poem, and important for influencing the response of a reader.