The narrator is driving
through a dodgy part of town
with his children in the car
when he sees a punk who's all
covered in tattoos.
2.
He is an outsider is society and
his appearance reminds the
narrator of a clown. the narrator
wants the children to imagine the
punk when he's old.
3.
At the traffic lights, the man steps out in
front of the car and presses his face up to
the window screen. The children in the back
of the car scream as they drive away
Imagery
Images of painting - the punk is
physically covered in tattoos which
emphasise his clown-like appearance.
The punk attitude behind his tattoos
is also part of his identity.
Images of injury - Imagery relating to
the accidents and the injuries makes the
punk seem even more disturbing. It
highlights how ridiculous he'll look in 30
years time.
Tone
Discomfort - There's an
implication that we could turn
out like him too.
Pity - The narrator seems to feel sorry for the punk and
says we shouldn't laugh at him. He wants the children to
remember the punk when he's old.
Pride - The punk doesn't seem to care what
society thinks of him. He displays his punk
identity in the tattoos that cover his face and
body.
Structure
Initially, he presents the clown punk as an outsider on
the edge of society. The poem is structured around the
moment where the family's and the punk's worlds
collide.
Form
The poem is written in sonnet form.
It is ironic because sonnets are often
associated with love.
Language
The rhyme in the phrase "town clown"
contributes to the creation of a comic image,
before telling us not to laugh.
Themes
The Clown Punk is a character who could
be either frightening or comic, but the
narrator warns, "don't laugh". Instead the
poem creates a pathetic figure, who will be
"deflated" by the years.