11:00 Baldovan: Stanzas 9-15
“11:00 Baldovan: Stanzas 9-15” - Overview and Themes
- The second part of the poem introduces the character of Nelson, effectively personifying the asylum system.
- The harsh conditions and power dynamics continue to be underscored, and we gain further insight into the desensitised treatment of children.
Language Analysis
- Patterson wields metaphorical language skillfully, as seen in “a mask of skin stretching”. This conceives a visual of Nelson as fake or shielded, suggesting he is devoid of genuine empathy or warmth.
- Referring to Nelson with “tyrant’s eyes” provides an effective simile that conveys his cruel, authoritarian stance towards the children.
Tone and Mood
- The tone maintains its grimness, but a subtler layer of resistance and rebellion emerges as the children begin to understand their circumstances better.
- The mood is distinctly oppressed, with the children being portrayed as victims of a brutal system personified in the character of Nelson.
Imagery
- Imagery continues to be a strong technique, particularly with phrases like “nipple-raw days”. This allows the reader to envision the stark, cold surroundings that continue to inflict discomfort upon the children.
- References to birds reappear, as in “his beak of a hand” which reinforces the bird-cage analogy for the children trapped in the asylum.
The analysis of ‘11:00 Baldovan: Stanzas 9-15’ must indeed focus on Patterson’s usage of language, tone, mood and imagery to strengthen the portrayal of the asylum and its inhabitants. Understanding the potent metaphors and similes, plus the emerging tones of resilience, is integral to appreciating Patterson’s insightful humanisation of a depressing historical reality.