The pampas grass represents nature, which of course ultimately wins. The thrusting, posturing masculinity of powerful machinery – of which the poet seems rather nervous – ultimately loses, while the pampas grass has feminine-sounding ‘feathers’ and ‘plumes’. The metaphorical femininity of the pampas grass is expressed in its ‘plumes’ and ‘feathers’.
Chainsaw versus the Pampas Grass It seemed an unlikely match. No gearing up or getting to speed, just an instant rage, the rush of metal lashing out at air, connected to the mains. The pampas grass, taking the warmth and light from cuttings and bulbs, sunning itself, stealing the show with its footstools, cushions and tufts and its twelve-foot spears.
‘Chainsaw Versus the Pampas Grass’ is a poem by Simon Armitage which considers the relationship between man made, physical objects, with nature and the natural world, specifically using the symbolism of a chainsaw to show man’s interaction. Readers may feel intimidated and apprehensive of what the next year may bring when the chainsaw returns, with this encouragement to imagine the future being an effective way to make the poem more memorable. Despite the chainsaw being the key negative image in the poem, there is still sibilance in this line describing the pampas grass, perhaps indicating to a reader the potential for power and danger which is held in nature. As shown through the remainder of the poem, the grass is able to survive despite all the effort to destroy it, even with relative calm and ease as this line suggests. ‘Chainsaw Versus the Pampas Grass’ Key ThemesPower: There is extreme power exhibited by the chainsaw throughout the poem, with the potential of harm adding to the sense of power and brutality. How are different forms of power exhibited, and how could this link to another poem from the ‘Poems of the Decade’ collection? The use of different sounds created through the language in the poem makes ‘Chainsaw Versus the Pampas Grass’ a very interesting which is notable in the anthology for its ease and enjoyability of reading.
Armitage makes use of personification throughout this poem, using it to describe the chainsaw as a snarling dangerous animal, but also its victim, the pampas grass. The fifth stanza opens with a metaphor comparing the chainsaw to a sledgehammer and the pampas grass to a nut it opened. In the final stanza of ‘Chainsaw Versus the Pampas Grass,’ the speaker describes the anger, the chainsaw felt over being defeated.
The contemporary British poet Simon Armitage allowed his poem ‘Chainsaw versus the Pampas Grass’ to be published online on the Oxford Today site, so we hope he wouldn’t mind our offering a few words about this poem, by way of tentative analysis. In summary, ‘Chainsaw versus the Pampas Grass’ is about a man taking a chainsaw and cutting down the pampas grass of South America. Despite the chainsaw mowing down the grass with ease, the poem ends with a vision of the grass growing back, enduring despite the chainsaw’s best efforts to destroy it.
chainsaw vs circular saw Related Question:
Can you use a circular saw to cut trees?
While its possible to use a circular saw to cut a tree branch I wouldn’t advise it. They’re not meant for trimming trees and because of that, I won’t be adding it to list. Same goes for the other saws designed for something other than cutting trees.
Do carpenters use chainsaws?
Re: Carpentry and Chainsaws I’ll use a chainsaw for cutting off the top of posts (fence, building, etc), notching them for plates, etc. Also use a sliding compound miter a lot or a battery operated circular saw.
What is the difference between chainsaw and saw?
is that saw is a tool with a toothed blade used for cutting hard substances, in particular wood or metal or saw can be (obsolete) something spoken; speech, discourse while chainsaw is a saw that has a power driven and fast revolving chain of metal teeth, usually used to cut trees.
Can you cut accurately with circular saw?
Using a Straightedge for Accurate Circular Saw Cuts Measure the exact distance from the edge of the circular saw’s shoe to the same side of the blade. Once you have that measurement, add it to your original marks and make a new line. Set the straightedge on the new marks, clamp it down, and make your cut.
What saw for cutting tree?
Types of Tree Cutting saws Bow Saw. Hand Saw. Chainsaw. Reciprocating Saw.
What is a worm drive saw?
What is a Worm drive saw? A worm drive saw has the motor attached at the rear. This is very powerful and its power is driven through two gears each set at 90 degrees. This setting implies that the engine produces more torque but less Rotation Per Minute (RPM) of about 4,500.
What is a beam saw?
What Are Beam Saws? These saws have a large blade used to cut different sized logs into beams. Often using circular blades which are available in a variety of different styles, beam saws are useful for a range of different jobs.
What’s better than a chainsaw?
A bow saw can handle many of the same cuts while saving wear and tear on a chain saw. Bow saws are capable of handling up to about a 10- to 12-inch tree, and replaceable blades mean that there’s nothing to sharpen. Look for a minimum 24-inch blade—smaller ones are suitable only for small branches—or even 30-inch.
What is a chainsaw used for?
A chainsaw (or chain saw) is a portable gasoline-, electric-, or battery-powered saw that cuts with a set of teeth attached to a rotating chain driven along a guide bar. It is used in activities such as tree felling, limbing, bucking, pruning, cutting firebreaks in wildland fire suppression, and harvesting of firewood.
Can I use a pole saw like a chainsaw?
A pole saw is long, like a chainsaw on a stick, and is mainly used to cut and trim at places you can not reach with your chainsaw.
Do I need a miter saw if I have a circular saw?
Why a Miter Saw Should Probably Be Your First Saw. Circular saws do have more versatility than miter saws. Every cut you can make on a miter saw can also be done on a circular saw, plus a few more. This is why my dad (and some others on the internet) recommend starting with a circular saw.
Can I use a jigsaw instead of a circular saw?
Although a jigsaw can be used for most of the tasks that a circular saw can perform, including straight cuts and cuts on a tilt, the jigsaw uses that really take advantage of the tool’s qualities are jobs such as kitchen fitting and joinery, with their frequent need for complex cuts.
What do you use to cut thick tree branches?
A chainsaw provides the cleanest cut when you’re dealing with limbs thicker than 3 inches. If your pruning job requires a chainsaw, it’s recommended that you contact a certified arborist. A pole pruner allows you to cut branches that are beyond your reach. Most pole pruners cut limbs up to 2 inches in diameter.
What size chainsaw do I need to cut firewood?
Many homeowners find that a 14- to 16-inch chainsaw is a good length for them. That’s long enough to limb-up trees, cut down small trees, and cut most firewood, but it’s also short enough that it’s easy to control the saw.
Was the chainsaw invented for childbirth?
Two doctors invented the chainsaw in 1780 to make the removal of pelvic bone easier and less time-consuming during childbirth. It was powered by a hand crank and looked like a modern-day kitchen knife with little teeth on a chain that wound in an oval.