Kid Simon Armitage LO to annotate the poem

Kid Simon Armitage LO: to annotate the poem Kid for features of TSLAP.

T: S: L: A: P:

Kid Consider whether Robin has grown up or whether he is still a kid. (T) American sounding and derogatory, shows Robin’s anger (L) Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder Alliteration highlights Robin’s feeling of being abandoned. (L) Romantic imagery. Metaphor (L)

Verb implies abruptness of their parting. He feels bitter about their parting. (L) Entire poem written in rhyming couplets all ending with same phoneme. (S) as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter. . . well, I turned the corner. Compare the reality with Batman’s version – ‘wild blue yonder. ’ (T) Ellipsis implies passage of time as Robin has sorted his life out. (S)

Speech marks show direct speech. These were things Robin and other people used to say about their relationship. (S) Now I've scotched that 'he was like a father to me' rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that 'he was like an elder brother' story, Slang, sounds like something from a ‘Batman and Robin’ episode. (L)

Caper = to jump about playfully / an escapade. let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Doesn’t fit with Batman’s squeaky clean image. (A) Tax evasion. (A)

Excessive play on language of Robin’s from original 1960 s. (L) Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in the-clover, I'm not playing ball boy any longer Implications of tennis imagery - always running around after the star, never in the spotlight himself. Alliteration- a harsh sound, he feels spiteful about it. (L)

Doffed = Taken off. Connection with Robin Hood. Green and scarlet are colours of his old suit. (T/A) Batman, now I've doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I'm taller, harder, stronger, older. Older, sensible clothing. (A/T)

Taking pleasure in imagining his current suffering. Perhaps also play on words: Marvel comics. (L) Like ‘ball boy’, this shows he has felt undermined by Batman. (A/T) Stewing = to cook; to brood over something in anger. (L) Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, Imagery of poor or non-existent food. The adult cannot cope now the helper has left. (L)

Violence of verb and the alliteration of the plosive ‘p’ highlight the pleasure Robin takes in imagining his former friend’s current loneliness and frustration. (L) Is Robin still a boy? Has he grown up at all? Does his petty desire for revenge imply he is still immature? (A/T) punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I'm the real boy wonder.

Ambiguity of identity Alliteration, gives a punchy opening Leaving childhood behind Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder Bitter tone explained, feeling of abandonment; echo ageing as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Trying out a mixture of things, like growing up (“baby” line 24) Each line has 10 syllables (pentameter) Now I've scotched that 'he was like a father to me' rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that 'he was like an elder brother' story, let the cat out on that caper Adult world/taboos, a darker world with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Robin is trying to impress us with these powerful words/phrases The rhyme scheme echos the famous theme tune Uses comic book slang/language Batman loses his status as the poem goes on

Spoof of tabloid headlines; holy is a word Robin would have used Using a name shows power Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I'm not playing ball boy any longer Growing up – not playing someone elses game Batman, now I've doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; Hero worship can’t sustain you, you need to toughen up to grow up; assert your own identity now I'm taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: Forging own identity, applicable to many “kids” Robin now belittles Batman and shows he has broken free from his idol, taking the power you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker; Adult clothes, ditched the dressing up box Only ghosts have no shadows next to nothing in the walk-in larder, Things from the past punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I'm the real boy wonder. What is Batman without Robin? Symbol of old age, not moving on

Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder. Feminine rhyme – each line ends in an unstressed syllable, leading naturally to the last “the real boy wonder”. Half or full rhymes. Effect is that the reader/listener is left to wonder what is coming next and it increases the pace, adding to the humour of the poem.

Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder. The rhythm accentuates the final word and places a heavy stress on the last -but-one syllable.

Kid Superiority, arrogance Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, Could this be symbolic of leaving home? Revealing Batman’s secrets. Ambiguity: -shadow of his former self, suggesting that he cannot cope on his own -Robin used to be his shadow, mimicking everything Batman did (hero image) -Robin was unimportant

Kid Alliteration, sounds like he is spitting Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, it out

Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder. Sarcastic cliché, note the tone in which this might be said.

Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder. Punning: the capes they wore and the name Caped Crusader associated with Batman.

Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder. Scandal or bad taste, sexual innuendo and fiddling the books.

Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder. Word association, again very humorous

Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, Repetition, I’m not playing ball boy any longer emphasising his Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number strength, for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; dominance and now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: superiority you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.

Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: Is it all in Robin’s you without a shadow, stewing over imagination? chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, next to nothing in the walk-in larder, punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.

Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order Naval jargon to grow up, then let me loose to wander leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, Colloquial language in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover Enjambment on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ story, let the cat out on that caper British slang with the married woman, how you took her downtown on expenses in the motor. Batman’s favourite adjective (Parody) Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, I’m not playing ball boy any longer Self-ridicule, mocking Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder the superhero outfit Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: you without a shadow, stewing over chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, Bathos, showing how he used next to nothing in the walk-in larder, to rely on Robin to shop for food punching the palm of your hand all winter, you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.

Comparison with another poem • Kid can be compared with Education for Leisure because in this poem the persona also shows bitterness because people didn’t take any notice of him either. • Also you could compare the Laboratory with Kid because this also shows anger and bitterness to someone close to them.