Analysis Of November By Simon Armitage

The poem ‘November’ by Simon Armitage takes the concept of ageing and twists it into something more sinister. By creating this new perspective on the inevitability of everyone’s demise, the overall mood of the poem is morose. Even the name of the poem, November, suggests an end. Simon Armitage builds ‘November’ with a variety of techniques.

The overall theme of the poem is that ageing, and eventually death, are almost like a demon waiting for us. Therefore, the poem seems as though it is trying to warn us of what is to come in later life. This is shown in the line, “we are almost these monsters”. Referring to the act of going into a care-home as “monsters” portrays the process towards death as something to be feared. This fear is often already inside of us so …show more content…
In the case of ‘November’, the coping mechanism is to deal with the stress of sending someone into a care home. The reader can see this in the poem with, “to numb ourselves with alcohol”. Throughout the whole poem, there is evidence of fright and hurting so having some way of managing is a necessity. This is also shown in the quote, “One thing we have to get, John, out of this life”. ‘November’ highlights the importance of having a way to keep on going without destroying yourself and others around …show more content…
This subject was brought up in the metaphor, “I drive through the twilight zone”. From this the reader can assume that the narrator is contemplating what will happen when they become the same age as the woman that they have just taken to the care-home. The verb “drive” suggests that the characters are trying to pass by the idea without giving it any deep thought. Although, this line could be referring to an end, whether that be the end of life or the end of looking after the old woman. This comes from “twilight” which insinuates the culmination of an