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Somewhere, anywhere
Edexcel Anthology
Whilst poetry appreciation is personal, sometimes it’s helpful to have a few ideas to think
about, agree with, consider, reject...Here are mine. Hope they help!
Notes on Postcard from a Travel Snob-Sophie Hannah
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Subject: Exploring the snobbishness that can be associated with holidays, the poem
compares two different types of holiday: the typical ‘package’ variety and the more
‘cultured’, exclusive, up-market, pretentious version. The speaker expresses his views in a
superior pompous, patronising voice.
Hannah says she likes package holidays and finds amusing those people who, “go out of
their way to have an uncomfortable time” so she’s clearly mocking people like the speaker
she’s created.
Title: postcard -usually only sent when on holiday. There is an element of ‘showing off’
involved...although these days it’s more likely to be achieved with photos on Facebook!
snob- negative, derogatory term for someone who feels superior to others-and lets them
know it!
Form: four, regular stanzas of four lines. It’s like a dramatic monologue, as the speaker
addresses an unseen listener. This allows us to form an impression of his character
through what he says.
The use of enjambment enhances the speech-like impression although there is...
Rhyme: a regular abab rhyme scheme. Does it add to the ridiculousness and pomposity of
what he says?
Language & imagery:
wish you were here-the stereotypical/cliche postcard greeting is made negative. This
immediately conveys the speaker’s negative stance, suggesting no one would appreciate
the location’s qualities but him.
Statement that it is not a conventional holiday destination, again enhances the negativity of
his attitude (not is repeated throughout the poem)
karaoke nights...typical feature of a package holiday where the singing is associated with
fun, if you like that kind of thing!
drunken tourist types-the alliteration increases the sneer, as does the word types which
sounds derogatory as if he sees all tourists as loutish.
perish the thought-a conversational phrase which is associated with an upper class person
who is shuddering as he even considers such a holiday resort
peaceful place- alliterative phrase emphasises the difference between where he is and a
typical resort.
untouched by man- ironic as he is there
seaside-town-consumer-hell- running these words together creates the impression of the
speaker’s low regard for most holidays. Juxtaposing the words suggests his view of such
locations: hell
in a local farmer’s van-sense of discomfort, yet he’s proud of the authenticity of his
accommodation: it’s great. But it doesn’t sound it. A van does not sound like a suitable
place to stay
there’s not a guest house....within a hundred miles-boastful,
Nobody speaks English again boastful, as if this makes him special
rest assured-another colloquial phrase associated with the upper classes
sun-and-sangria-two-weeks-small-minded-package-philistine-abroad-another running
together of words to create an impression of his snooty, superior attitude. Ironic, as it’s him
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Copyright Star Tutor Services
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that seems to be small-minded in his attitudes which make general assumptions about
everyone who is not like him. The alliteration & sibilance in the phrase adds to the
sneering sound
(sangria=alcoholic Spanish drink; philistine=a person who dislike or knows little about art,
poetry, culture)
multi-cultural..an old-fashioned, rather discredited term for someone who is interested in
different cultures. However, from the continuation of this stanza his justification for this
seems weak-he sounds very English, paddling in the sea, thinking about wine
wine connoisseurs-experts about wine, contrasting with
drunks- those who drink to excess, without discernment-but it could be the same
behaviour, just viewed differently, couldn’t it?
Repetition of I’m not shows he’s keen to establish his superior credentials
Humorous final comparison-which shows how judgements can depend on perception- or
that it’s all simply a matter of semantics (=the words used) It’s the same person: only the
terminology has changed.
(anthropologist=a person who studies human beings and their customs)
The speaker uses sophisticated language to describe himself and his ilk; the language he
uses to describe other holiday-makers is deliberately offensive, and stereotypical
Tone/mood: first person, direct, arrogant...and often amusing for the reader. He’s the sort
of person who deserves to be mocked!
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