A Minor Role – Poem Analysis
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‘A Minor Role’ by UA Fanthorpe explores the concept of an individual’s place in society,
and the way that illness can impact it.
The title of the poem is one which encourages the reader to ask various questions and
wonder about the situation. For example, what is the role? Why is it described as being
‘minor’? Is it relating to drama, or could it be another role? All of these questions and
potential answers will help to create a variety of scenarios and ideas in a reader’s
imagination, which would be very effective at encouraging a reader to potentially
approach the poem with a more open mind as to what the subject matter may be.
Fanthorpe illustrates how often in life, one will have to deal with a difficult situation –
the way in which the person affected reacts to this situation and the people around
them is what the poet explores in this poem. The speaker is evidently suffering from an
illness as he/she describes having to make ‘sense/Of consultant’s monologues’,
although it is never made clear what illness the speaker is suffering from.
However, through the development of the poem, it is hinted by the poet that the illness
is terminal. Instead of looking at the dire and pessimistic side of this illness, the speaker
attempts to be more optimistic – the poet aims to emphasise how precious life is. The
speaker attempts to speak truthfully about the most difficult and complicated situations
that one may experience in their life.
Structure:
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6 stanzas in total, which is then followed by a single line. Each stanza focuses on a
specific theme, whilst the final line provides the reader with a resolved ending and a
positive one.
2nd stanza – Fanthorpe uses litany to demonstrate the many ‘endless’ tasks that the
speaker must do, but they don’t really matter anymore for the speaker. The use of
listing makes the speaker’s situation overwhelming and almost suffocating – one can
relate to why he/she finds their situation difficult. The use of listing, highlights the
speaker’s isolation from reality
Stanza 3 – in this stanza, Fanthorpe explores social expectations of society. The use of
direct speech: ‘O, getting on, getting better’ provides a confirmation for the reader, the
narrator is ill.
Framed narrative – we return back to the stage which was initially described at the
beginning of the poem, except this time the narrator does not accept their ‘minor role’
or the ‘star part’ – Fanthorpe, highlights the change in mindset for the narrator – they
are less dismissive and a sense of optimism is created.
Themes:
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Social Expectations – throughout the poem, the poet highlights how society often
expects someone suffering from a severe illness to display emotion about the
anxiousness that they may feel. However, in this case the speaker does no such thing in
public.
Pretence – the ‘stage’, which is referred to at the beginning and the end of the poem
functions as a metaphor and highlights the speaker’s ‘minor role’ within a play, which is
used to explore ideas of social pretence. The narrator describes themselves pretending
that ‘all is well, admit it’s not’. Fanthorpe portrays how often pretending or holding up a
facade is better than facing reality.
Avoidance – ‘O, getting on, getting better my formula/For well-meant intrusiveness.’ – it
is easy for one to forget that sometime ‘well-meant intrusiveness’ is not needed,
because often all that one needs is space and time to reflect. In the 4th stanza, the poet
illustrates how we often try and avoid confronting difficult and delicate situations and it
is something that as a society we do.
Isolation/Separation – ‘bed solves a lot’,
Truth – ‘pretend all’s well, Admit it’s not’ – this is the last line of the 4th stanza and it
introduces the reader to a familiar notion of not wanting to ‘admit’ that you are not
happy, that you are not okay.
Acceptance/Stoicism – ‘I am here to make you believe in life’ – this is the final line of
the poem and can be interpreted in many different ways. Personally, I think it is almost
humorous or even satirical as it the narrator expresses how often we are not content
with our lives and forget to appreciate the fact that we are alive and healthy.
Tone:
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‘midget’ – the adjective midget creates a tone of hopelessness in the poem that the
speaker appears to be feeling.
Erratic – the speaker is constantly changing from one task to the next, not wanting to
stop, pause and reflect upon their situation – this is relatable for the reader because for
a given period of time, it is simply easier.
Context for greater understanding:
The poet was once a teacher but left her career, in order to become a receptionist at a
psychiatric hospital. Here, she observed the patient; clearly they had a profound influence on
her as she produced this poem.