Shadwell Stair The poem Scarborough Wilfred Owen wrote

Shadwell Stair

The poem Scarborough Wilfred Owen wrote this poem in February 1918 while on Home Duties in Scarborough, when WW 1 was still ongoing. Back in 1918, many people avoided this place; it wasn’t a very pleasant area.

Title, structure and form -Sibilance creates hissing noises that adds a sinister touch to the already eerie poem. -Fixed rhyme scheme suggest that he is trapped in his past experiences of war. -The indent on the middle two lines of the stanza gives the impression of floating, feeling lost or like a “ghost” or “shadow”: Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Stanza 1 The speaker establishes himself as the ‘ghost of Shadwell Stair’: -There is juxtaposition in the lines ‘Along the wharves by the water-house’ and ‘And through the dropping slaughter-house’ by bringing together what is life giving and what is life ending. -‘slaughter-house’ introduces an element of danger. -Refers to himself as the ‘shadow’; almost haunting, which relates to the next stanza.

Stanza 2 The speaker describes himself as having ‘flesh both firm and cool’: -This suggests that he, and the other ‘ghosts’ might not actually be ghosts and shadows but social outcasts who have come here to be themselves. -Despite the bleak surroundings, Owen describes it beautifully when he writes ‘eyes tumultuous as the gems’ and ‘Of moons and lamps in the lapping Thames’ -“Moons and lamps” create an almost romantic atmosphere. -The reference to moons, lamps and dusk illustrate the dark surroundings and suggests this is the only time when these social outcasts can come out and be themselves.

Stanza 3 The romantic imagery continues in this stanza with ‘purple street-arc’ though the image of the speaker being a haunting ‘ghost’ is referenced through ‘Where I watch always’. The phrase could also be interpreted as escapism on the speaker’s part. -The speaker sounds, for the most part, lonely throughout the poem. -To contrast with the romantic imagery, Owen writes ‘Dolorously the shipping clanks’ The use of onomatopoeia coupled with reference to great sorrow reminds readers that during the day, the Thames is a hub of trade and energy.

Stanza 4 Owen continues to describe the beauty of the place, but is brought back to reality when dawn breaks. -The word ‘syren’ is spelled differently and has two meanings. (1. a long and prolonged sound used as a signal or warning, 2. a Greek mythological character who lured men to their deaths. ) -Personifies dawn: Owen conveys the message that Shadwell Stair is only this mysterious place at night and that when London wakes, it is no longer a place of privacy. -Final line: ‘I with another ghost am lain. ’ could be referring to his own anxiety, and not an actual figure.

Summary -It may not be about war -Suggests that beauty can be found even in the ugliest of places and reality. -The ‘ghost’ can be a metaphor for Owens anxiety.