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Sparrow

Sparrow. ‘Sparrow’. Norman MacCaig. He’s no artist. His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy. And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak, would call it a slum.

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Sparrow

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  1. Sparrow

  2. ‘Sparrow’ Norman MacCaig

  3. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  4. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  5. Negative comment. First thing we learn about the sparrow is something he is not. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  6. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem…

  7. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. ‘artist’ has connotations of colour, creativity, dexterity, finesse, flamboyance, etc…

  8. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Right from the opening line, the sparrow’s ‘skills’ are deemed unworthy.

  9. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  10. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  11. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Another negative comment. Now his appearance is being criticised…

  12. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. His ‘clothes’ are his feathers.

  13. They are referred to as ‘more dowdy than gaudy’. Dowdy: not stylish; drab; old-fashioned; unfashionably dressed. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  14. They are referred to as ‘more dowdy than gaudy’. Gaudy: extravagantly bright or showy; ostentatiously dressed. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  15. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. He is ‘dressed’ in dull colours of brown and grey.

  16. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. He is hardly the most fashionable of creatures.

  17. more dowdy…

  18. …than gaudy

  19. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Keep in mind the negative connotations of the word ‘gaudy’ for later in the poem…

  20. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  21. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  22. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Now the sparrow’s home is criticised too…

  23. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Now the sparrow’s home is criticised too…

  24. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. The bird’s home, according to the blackbird at least, is referred to as “a slum”.

  25. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Slum: a squalid section of a city, characterised by inferior living conditions.

  26. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. The image of the sparrow’s home is therefore one of poverty, squalor and decrepitude.

  27. Only the poorest, most common bird would live there. A blackbird wouldn’t want to be associated with such a habitat. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  28. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Remember, the nest is the handiwork of the sparrow himself. Therefore, his ability to build a home is being derided too.

  29. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  30. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Of course, this isn’t the only way in which the sparrow and blackbird differ…

  31. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. The male blackbird is, unsurprisingly, fully ‘clothed’ in black. Its beak is a bright orange-yellow colour.

  32. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. This, according to the RSPB, “make adult male blackbirds one of the most striking garden birds.”

  33. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. As a result, the metaphor of the blackbird’s beak being the gold nib of a pen is understandable.

  34. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. A nib is the end of a fountain pen.

  35. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

  36. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. The movement of the bird, as it flies through the air, is comparable to a pen writing decoratively in the air.

  37. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. The image tells us a lot about the blackbird itself…

  38. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. The comparison to a fountain pen, for example, which is seen more as a luxury item and used by many as a status symbol.

  39. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. A biro, for example, is much cheaper and efficient but doesn’t project a superior image.

  40. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. It’s a case of style over substance. The value is judged on appearance and status, not ability or capability…

  41. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. …which is key to the central concern of the entire poem.

  42. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. The fact that the nib is gold accentuates the idea of affluence of the blackbird.

  43. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. A bird with gold certainly wouldn’t be seen dead in a slum…

  44. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Fountain pens are used for calligraphy (decorative handwriting).

  45. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. Calligraphy itself is considered an art. This is another direct contrast to the sparrow (“he’s no artist”).

  46. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum. The writing the blackbird produces is ornate and attractive.

  47. Calligraphy is used on wedding invitations, award, certificates, etc. because of its beauty, but also to emphasise the importance of the contents. He’s no artist.His taste in clothes is more dowdy than gaudy.And his nest – that blackbird, writing pretty scrolls on the air with the gold nib of his beak,would call it a slum.

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