After Lazerdrome, McDonalds, Peckham Rye: Structure & Language Techniques

After Lazerdrome, McDonalds, Peckham Rye: Structure & Language Techniques

“After Lazerdrome, McDonalds, Peckham Rye” Context

  • Jacob Sam-La Rose’s poem takes the reader through a night out in London- from the popular nightclub Lazerdrome, to the fast-food outlet McDonald’s, and finally to the open space of Peckham Rye.
  • The poem paints a vivid picture of London’s nightlife, exploring themes of youth culture, place, and urban life.

Exploration of Themes through Structure

  • The title of the poem itself is structured as a journey, setting the stage for an exploration of different cityscapes.
  • The poem is written in free verse which allows for greater flexibility - mirroring the boundary-pushing nature of youth and nightlife.
  • The enjambment carries the reader forward, echoing the forward movement of a night out.

Language and Techniques

  • Much like in “Talk This Way”, this poem showcases Sam-La Rose’s flair for capturing colloquial speech and London vernacular which brings authenticity to his depiction of London’s youth culture.
  • Sam-La Rose employs imagery skilfully - from sensory details about the taste of a burger to the visuals of the club and the park. This serves to immerse readers in the sights, sounds, and tastes of a night out in London.
  • The use of metaphor and simile, for example, equating the taste of a burger to a kiss, helps to highlight the narrator’s personal experiences and feelings.
  • The poem is filled with soft and hard consonant sounds mimicking the cacophonous sounds of a bustling city at night.

Revision Technique: Analysis Approach

  • Reflect on the importance of place in Sam-La Rose’s poetry. Consider the distinct atmospheres and nuances of each location mentioned in the poem and how they contribute to the overall narrative.
  • Examine how the structure of the poem, its use of free verse, and enjambment reinforce the themes of the poem.
  • Analyse the use of language, particularly the colloquial and vernacular elements, and how they depict a realistic and resonant image of London’s youth culture.
  • Consider the sound and musicality of the poem. Look at the use of soft and hard consonant sounds, and think about how they reflect the sounds of the city.
  • Explore how Sam-La Rose uses imagery and metaphor to engage the senses and to convey deeper emotions and experiences of the narrator.