A Consumers Report (Peter Porter) Quotes
"I have used much more than I though (i suppose I have about half left but it's difficult to tell)" [2]
"used much more' symbolises the idea that time passes by a lot quicker than he thought, and 'I thought' is past tense which shows he regrets the time he has lost. 'Its difficult to tell'- implies the idea that life is unpredictable and the after thought links to the idea of confidentiality
"Product I tested is Life," [1]
Materialistic idea of life as if we choose to have it. The idea that it is only temporary makes it transient (passes by. The idea that he has tested it makes it seem as if he is a greater being- which could link to the life he lived
Context [4]
Peter Porter is known for mocking/witty poems attended Grammar school in Australia which he hated "was like a prison camp" Moved to London 1951 and went through multiple jobs until moving back to Australia after 10 months multiple suicide attempts
"the price is much too high. things are piling up so fast," [4]
'Also' creates a conversational tone (colloquial) Much too high refers to the cost of living (pain we have to endure and the fundamental difficulty to deal with sadness and pain) 'the price'- is dying 'Too high' we live in a consumerist society where we feel the need to place a value on life- showing we don't value it for what it is
"maker in a job" [1]
'maker' conveys there is a greater being at hand -- idea that God only exists to provide humans with a sense of purpose
Form and structure [3]
- Freeverse poem (51 lines) - Conversational tone which makes it a dramatic monologue (talking to himself) - written in first person Both anapestic (unstressed, unstressed, stressed) metre and iambic between a retailer and consumer (lryic)
"Form you sent me and understand that my answers are condiential" [2]
-juxtaposition between the restricted 'form' to be filled in and the form the poem is in. -'Confidential'- irony as it creates an intimate tone of disclosure but he's showing it to us
"i'd buy it" [1]
A sense of bathos -- a failed attempt to present artistic greatness offers the reader a positive inspiration moment despite his earlier critiques
Summary of Poem [3]
Consumer's Report' is a poem written by Peter Porter about the report of the product that he has been using called Life. Throughout the poem, he makes several references to the consumerism of society and common societal problems. Porter known for his witty and mocking poem, writes a report reflecting on the meaning of life as a result of his
"it's difficult to think of a purpose" [1]
Difficult to find the purpose in life
"competitive product you said you'd send" [1]
Euphemism for death 'you'd send' demonstrates the inevibility of death
"behave badly" [2]
Generally refers to children the 'b' plosive sounds create a forceful patronising tone which suggests that humans are ready to fight over nothing (aggression)
"i'm not sure such a thing should be put in the way of children" [1]
Implies that it is an obstruction for children and is too flawed- ironic tone as life starts with children
"Personally I think it's over done" [1]
Ironic and cynical tone -- believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity
Main ideas/theme [2]
Life --> Someone who is dissatisfied with it Death --> questioning the meaning or significance of life
"There seems to be a lot of different labels, sizes and colours should be uniform, the shape is awkward, it's waterproof" [5]
One sentence- frantic with asyndeton lack of conjuctions used in the sentence 'different labels' - he doesn't like the idea that we are categorised "Uniform'- his lack of appreciation for human diversity 'Shape'- refers to human form 'Waterproof'- paradox which is humour but is also picking out an a flaw
"yet it's very difficult to get rid of;" [3]
Paradox in the nature of life Semicolon- perhaps the speaker considered this Paradox- a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true
"(incidentally please ask your man to stop calling me 'the respondent'," [3]
Parentheses- the discussion is too casual of God (juxtaposition)' 'Ask your man' colloquialism representation of God 'the respondent'- his lack of identity which is ironic as he was literally questioning the purpose of humans, and he now wants to assert his individuality
"do we need it now?" [2]
Questions the purpose of life 'we" humorous nature of inclusive of rhetorical question (obviously humans need human life)
"I had it as a gift, I didn't feel much while using it," [1]
So it was given as a gift without choice. The idea that he doesn't feel much shows its not special to him (lack of emotional connection) its easily disposable
"fairly large they seem to contradict each other" [2]
The rules of life should be obvious and evident A lack of clarity in life (he finds it confusing like his numerous jobs he had in real life)
"Then it's delivered anyway. I'd agree it's a popular product," [2]
We have the lack of choice- we don't get to choose to be born 'popular product'- there are a lot of people (ironic)
"philosophers or market researchers or historians, we shouldn't care." [1]
We shouldn't care about the meaning behind life and it's purpose
"it's got into the language;" [1]
We wouldn't have language without life (ironic)
"I think we should take it for granted" [1]
be able to enjoy life without being overwhelmed by guilt
"whenever they make it cheaper they seem to put less in" [2]
critique of consumerist society- those who need to equate to financial value- suggestion of wealth vs poor- things don't really improve for the poor
"piling up so fast" [1]
links to overpopulation and greed
"it was not economical" [1]
the cost of life outweighs the benefits
"it seemed gentle on the hands but left an..." [1]
reality and hardships of life finally hit him (struggled, harder than he expected)
"think i'd have liked to be more excited" [1]
senses he has regrets and is confused
"embarrassing deposits" [1]
shows that he has regrets which he cannot easily get rid of