tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239062544101975016.post6700364323205143879..comments2024-03-27T21:39:23.192-07:00Comments on Sacnoth's Scriptorium: Was John Betjeman the new McGonagall?John D. Rateliffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12324926298336489295noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239062544101975016.post-1611562050562728972018-09-28T11:20:42.286-07:002018-09-28T11:20:42.286-07:00Methinks Mr B. is cocking a snook at a less salubr...Methinks Mr B. is cocking a snook at a less salubrious side of London life. Marble Arch, for all it is a well-known landmark, is actually in the centre of a four-lane roundabout, punctuated by six sets of traffic lights, fed by four major and two lesser roads, and one of the more continuously busy junctions in the capital. A less likely spot to exemplify the peace, tranquillity and fresh air of London would be hard to find. Perhaps the poet felt that this poem expressed his <i>actual</i> sentiments very well?Clive Shergoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03752328784605448119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239062544101975016.post-86609771944401178562018-09-27T03:46:14.662-07:002018-09-27T03:46:14.662-07:00That is pretty dreadful though! But even the first...That is pretty dreadful though! But even the first google hit for a Betjeman shows how much better than that he could be - "Crematorium" at https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=32058Garkbithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12234102759650383703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2239062544101975016.post-67271853375816714942018-09-26T10:21:33.636-07:002018-09-26T10:21:33.636-07:00What's reminding you of McGonagall are the len...What's reminding you of McGonagall are the lengthy lines, jogging rhythm, and detailed verbal descriptions.<br /><br />That's not enough to make a poet a McGonagall, not by a long shot. Betjeman entirely lacks McGonagall's ineptness at rhyme and meter, or the pervasive bathos of his treatment of his subject matter.<br /><br />Also, if you're judging Betjeman as a whole, and not just this example, Betjeman wrote many lyrical verses with tighter lines. McGonagall couldn't.David Bratmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08090662884600828582noreply@blogger.com