Brooklyn Cop

• "Should the tissue tear, should he plunge through

  Into violence"


  Alliteration. Emphasises the threat of violence that is always present. Falling quickly and uncontrollably. Cop is also on verge of violence.
• This morning when he said “see you babe” to his wife, he hoped it, he truly hoped it.

  Cliched and worn out phrases – almost meaningful but shows his feelings to his wife. Reveals another side to the cop/his personal life. Emphasises his fear and vulnerability.
• "what clubbings, what gunshots between Phoebe’s Whamburger and Louies Place."

  Shows escalating violence, how dangerous the city is.
• "two hieroglyphs in his face that mean trouble"

  Ancient stone carving, face is impassive and hard to read like hieroglyphs. Extended metaphor – the cop is looking for trouble, maybe looking for conflict with criminals. Different type of cop – a frightened figure.
• "Thin tissue over violence"

  Metaphor showing how fragile society is. Easy to break and thin like tissue paper. Contrast to the sidewalk. Thin divide between civilisation and society.
• "who would be him gorilla with a nightstick"

  Who would choose to do this job/become this violent/inhuman person. Reinforcement of the violence of the cop. Doesn’t use a gun – enjoys physical violence/being up close.
• "And who would be who would have to be his victims?"

  Unusual word order/syntax. Means reader had to pause and reflect on his meaning. Ambiguous/rhetorical question. Innocent lives may be sacrificed for the policeman to do his job – but is this right? Can create sympathy for those who come into contact with the cop.
• "Built like a gorilla but less timid"

  Similie. Big and strong. Hints at violence and menace. Emphasises that he is brave but brutal.