Analysis: The Cockroach by Kevin Halligan

STRUCTURE:

• There is question whether the Cockroach is a sonnet: it has the correct number of lines. The poem’s structure could indicate a following of a 4,4,3,3 structure (number of lines per stanza). The poem is indeed not clearly separated into stanzas, however, the changing points in the poem would indicate this structure.
• 10 syllables per line
• A quite regular structure with few enjambements. The author does not find total clarity and this is reflected by the ‘hidden’ sonnet.
• Rime scheme ABAB, end change in rime scheme ABCABC => The author has ceased to just observe he is identifying himself.

FIRST 4 VERSES/ CHILDHOOD:

• “I watched a giant cockroach”. The word “giant” makes it a specific cockroach, it has its own personal distinction, it is made more noticeable. Furthermore, its great size makes it take up a large part of the vision of the author and is therefore worth attention.  The word “watched” indicates a willful look, the author’s attention is caught, genuine interest.
• “start to pace”. The fact it is just then “start(ing)” to advance makes it seem as though it is coming to life.
• “Skirting a ball of dust that rode the floor”. The cockroach seems to be acting randomly, “skirting a ball of dust”, it does not have a purpose. However, the word “rode” suggests confidence, that of youth, not caring what it is doing, just living not thinking of consequences. It seems to own “the floor”, like a man owns a horse and rides on it. The cockroach is given a human characteristic at it has the capacity to ride.
• “At first he seemed quite satisfied to trace/ A path between the wainscot and the door”. The words “At first” suggest an imminent change, the cockroach will get bored with this ‘routine’. The animal is “quite satisfied”, this positive word creates a relatively relaxed atmosphere but the word “quite” makes the reader feel some kind of uneasiness is on the way. This feeling concurs with the words “at first”.
• In these first four verses the cockroach moves slowly, or at least without a particular hastiness, its actions aren’t thought through. It acts in a confident, relaxed and carefree manner.

LINES 5-8/ GROWING

• “But soon he turned to jog in crooked rings”. The word “but” indicates a change in mood, the one that was forewarned by the words “at first”. The path of the cockroach that was at first clear with a precise objective “between the wainscot and the door” has gone “crooked” and the cockroach seems to have lost direction. Indeed it is now moving in “rings” which indicates a pointlessness, circling. The verb “jog” marks an increase in speed, the cockroach seems to be growing impatient, this leads to a multiplication of actions.
• “Circling the rusty table leg and back” The idea of pointlessness in actions is reinforced by the verb “circling” which once again shows the loss of a goal in life. The cockroach, does not know what to do, questions are starting to be asked, some it can not answer and this causes a frustration reflected by the action of “circling”. The word “rusty” suggests decay and age as time passes. The actions make no more sense, you can not circle “and back”, the point of making a circle is that you are constantly advancing yet always passing by the same points, therefore their is a sensation of being lost created as the cockroach looses its marks.
• There was a multiplication in actions “jog”, “circling”, “flipping”. There is no transition between the actions, they seem to succeed each other without link, (for example it is not mentioned the cockroach has stopped moving in “crooked rings” it simply finds itself “circling” the “table leg”). This creates confusion, the animal is just moving without purpose.
• “And flipping right over to scratch its wings-/ As if the victim of a mild attack”. The word “flipping” suggests an intentional action but the cockroach is considered not just a “victim”, but “the victim” of an “attack”. It is clear that the “flipping” was purposely performed as the animal was intending to “scratch” itself. The fact that it is then portrayed as a “victim” is contradictory and causes confusion, the reader is no longer sure of the course of events, he is made to doubt of what was previously certain, did this happen on purpose? The oxymoron “mild attack” creates and increase in intensity and danger, the cockroach has enemies.

LINES 9-11/ ADULTHOOD

• “Of restlessness that worsened over time” The  “restlessness” seems to be caused by an annoyance at being unable to answer simple questions about life, at not understanding. The multiplication of actions is justified by this cause, the cockroach seems to be in a constant, febrile search for answers. The words “over time” suggest the passing of time the cockroach is now a mature adult, but is still incapable of understanding. The verb “worsened” indicates a real pain that seems to be getting worse every day as the weight of life gets heavier.
• “After a while, he climbed upon a shelf”. Once again the passing of time is represented by the words “After a while”. This action seems to have been pondered for a “while”, the cockroach is no longer young and does not do rash actions, it decides carefully before to act.
• “And stopped. He looked uncertain where to go. ” This unusual placement of punctuation creates a brutal stop in the poem. There is a finality in the words “and stopped” that ends the confusion, this is a clear cut action. The cockroach is however still lost it is “uncertain where to go”.

LAST THREE LINES/ IDENTIFICATION OF THE AUTHOR

• “Was this due payment of some vicious crime”. Karma?
• “A former life had led to?” Idea of reincarnation.
• “I don’t know”. Once again confrontation with the fact that the author does not have answers.
• “Except I thought I recognised myself”. Repetition of the pronoun “I”, identity. Sadness, regret, resignation in the realisation that he is not better than a cockroach.
• “He” humanity given to cockroach.
• “He” to “I” cockroach/ poet.