Change

That a change in self can be brought on by a single external
influence has been a major message that can be explored through
several of the texts studied thus far. The vivacious musician of
Harwood's "Prize Giving", the ex-lover of "In the Park" by the same
author, the clothes line of Robert's "Sky High" and the death of a
loved one in Auden's "Funeral Blues" are all protagonists in the
changing self (or the realisation of a previous change) of each
text's main persona.
Harwood's "Prize Giving" and "In the Park" both explore the changing
in self of the principle subject of the poem when confronted by
another person. In the case of "Prize Giving", an arrogant professor
is met with mockery by a younger, exuberant woman, at a school
presentation night.
Harwood's use of implicit characterisation gives the reader a
manifestation of the arrogant nature of the professor; arrogance
which is to be the key for his eventual downfall. The poet's
inclusion of phrases...