Corner by Ralf Pomeroy
Uploaded by Brenton on May 20, 2008
Corner is a poem about power, control and youth alienation. These are three of the main issues or themes addressed in this poem. The poem starts with a youth being accused through body language by a policeman, of loitering. It immediately addresses the theme of power vs. powerlessness using a battle, not physical but a mental battle or battle of ˜wills™. The poem uses similes, metaphors and emotive language to help encourage a sense of struggle. Throughout the poem the youth power grows, even though at first he wants to run. He stands his ground and eventually the cop leaves, ˜still smug in his power™ however the youth still manages to hold his power, œI am becoming sunlight.
My hair is on fire. My boots run like tar. I am hung-up by the bright air. But he says œI cannot back down. I am there.
The poem uses emotive language, metaphors and similes not only to develop the theme but also to create tension, œit is like a bullring¦ before the fighting. This quote is an excellent example of tension building as it helps the reader see that there is a conflict arising. Sarcasm is also used to create tension between the characters, œPrince of coolness, King of fear. This quote is used to empower the youth and also is the point where the youth seems to ˜find his feet™ and really push out that last stance of courage, and strength which ultimately ends in the officer leaving. The simile of the ˜leather stork™ creates an image of a policeman relaxed and protected by leather adding to the image of him being comfortable in his power. His œfingers are armoured by his gloves gives the reader a sense that the policeman does have a higher authority, as armoured is a military term.
These techniques are also used to establish the setting very effectively throughout the poem, it is a street corner but the youth is also cornered, in this way the setting becomes a larger metaphor for the ˜showdown™. It is a hot day; his jeans bake and his T shirt sweats, his hair is on fire and his boots run like tar.
Ralph Pomeroy has used first person point of view to position the reader so that you see the event or situation from the youth perspective. You also get a view of the policeman from the point of view of the youth,...