Comparing The Sick Equation by Brian patten and Long...

Comparing The Sick Equation by Brian patten and Long Distance by Tony Harrison In this essay I am going to compare and contrast The Sick Equation by Brian Patten and Long Distance by Tony Harrison. The Sick Equation is about how two parents intense arguing and general disrespect for each other had such a damaging effect on their sons thoughts, personality and life as an adult. Stanza one gives us some background information to the poem. The poet mentions the word school in the opening line so we can assume he is between the ages of ten and sixteen. We also learn that at this time, his parents are still living together but the house is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦full of anger and pain. Which gives us an†¦show more content†¦Stanzas two and three say how ashamed he feels about what he is doing and how the only way for his grief to end is for her to return to him. Its almost as if he feels his love for her is a crime that needs to be concealed from anyone who might disapprove. He cant risk anyone knowing about his actions and telling him that she is dead because it would make it so much harder for him to cope. The themes of both poems are based around loss. In Long Distance, Harrisons father has to cope with the loss of his wife and then Harrison has to deal with the demise of both his parents. In The Sick Equation, there is a loss of love and affection between Pattenss parents so, in reality, they dont really have much of a relationship. This is a similarity between the two poems. Another resemblance involving the two pieces of work is the fact that the word raw is mentioned in both pieces. It is ironic that both poets used the term in their work but manages to blend it in with their specific topic. Patten uses the word in the line raw cocoon of parental hate while Harrison uses it in still raw love When you think of raw you imagine a red, fleshy wound, which brings lots of pain. This could be how Harrisons father felt at losing his wife and how Patten felt growing up. Although the poems are about starkly contrasting themes, both poets manage to merge it