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Kid

By Simon Armitage
Kid
Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner.
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her
downtown on expenses in the motor.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker!
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover,
I’m not playing ball boy any longer
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
Kid
Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander Feminine rhyme –
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder each line ends in an
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. unstressed syllable,
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
leading naturally to
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ the last “the real
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her
boy wonder”. Half
downtown on expenses in the motor. or full rhymes.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker!
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, Effect is that the
I’m not playing ball boy any longer reader/listener is left
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number to wonder what is
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; coming next and it
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: increases the pace,
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
adding to the
next to nothing in the walk-in larder, humour of the
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder. poem.
Kid
Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner.
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her
downtown on expenses in the motor. The rhythm
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker!
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover,
accentuates the
I’m not playing ball boy any longer final word and
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number places a heavy
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
stress on the
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: last-but-one
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
syllable.
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
Kid Superiority, arrogance
Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander Could this be
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder symbolic of
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. leaving home?
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover Revealing
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ Batman’s
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her secrets.
downtown on expenses in the motor.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Ambiguity:
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, -shadow of his former
I’m not playing ball boy any longer
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
self, suggesting that
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number he cannot cope on his
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper; own
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:
-Robin used to be his
you without a shadow, stewing over shadow, mimicking
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker, everything Batman did
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter, (hero image)
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder. -Robin was unimportant
Kid Alliteration, sounds like he is spitting it out
Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner.
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her
downtown on expenses in the motor.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker!
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover,
I’m not playing ball boy any longer
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
Sarcastic
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner.
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
cliché,
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ note the
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her tone
downtown on expenses in the motor.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker!
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover,
in which
I’m not playing ball boy any longer
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
this might
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
be said.
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner. Punning: the capes
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father they wore
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’ and the name Caped
story, let the cat out on that caper Crusader
with the married woman, how you took her associated with
downtown on expenses in the motor.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Batman.
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover,
I’m not playing ball boy any longer
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner.
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’
Scandal or bad
story, let the cat out on that caper taste, sexual
with the married woman, how you took her
downtown on expenses in the motor. innuendo and
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! fiddling the
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover,
I’m not playing ball boy any longer books.
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner.
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her
downtown on expenses in the motor.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Word association,
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover,
I’m not playing ball boy any longer again very
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder humorous
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner.
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her
downtown on expenses in the motor.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker!
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover, Repetition,
I’m not playing ball boy any longer
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
emphasising his
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number strength,
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older. dominance and
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: superiority
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
Kid Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather,
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner.
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her
downtown on expenses in the motor.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker!
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover,
I’m not playing ball boy any longer
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture: Is it all in Robin’s
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
imagination?
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the palm of your hand all winter,
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
Kid
Batman, big shot, when you gave the order
to grow up, then let me loose to wander Naval jargon
leeward, freely through the wild blue yonder
as you liked to say, or ditched me, rather, Colloquial language
in the gutter … well, I turned the corner.
Now I’ve scotched that ‘he was like a father
to me’ rumour, sacked it, blown the cover Enjambment
on that ‘he was like an elder brother’
story, let the cat out on that caper
with the married woman, how you took her British slang
downtown on expenses in the motor.
Holy robin-redbreast-nest-egg-shocker! Batman’s favourite adjective (Parody)
Holy roll-me-over-in-the-clover,
I’m not playing ball boy any longer
Batman, now I’ve doffed that off-the-shoulder Self-ridicule, mocking
Sherwood-Forest-green and scarlet number the superhero outfit
for a pair of jeans and crew-neck jumper;
now I’m taller, harder, stronger, older.
Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
next to nothing in the walk-in larder, Bathos, showing how he used
punching the palm of your hand all winter, to rely on Robin to shop for food
you baby, now I’m the real boy wonder.
What the poem is about!
• It is written as Robin’s point of
view and so is a dramatic
monologue.
• Robin is fed up of always being
in Batman’s shadow.
• He was portrayed as a ‘Boy
wonder’ making him out to
always be the younger/naïve
one, like Batman’s apprentice.
This is quite patronising.
 Structure
• 1 BIG LONG STANZA
• It is well set out in connection with the
theme of the poem because it shows how
Robin is rambling on.
• The sentences are quite long to show,
again, that he is rambling on.
 Theme
• The main theme is that of Robin’s
bitterness towards Batman and also
jealousy that Batman was always the more
important one.
 Imagery
“…Batman, it makes a marvellous picture:
you without a shadow, stewing over
chicken giblets in the pressure cooker,
next to nothing in the walk-in larder,
punching the arm of your hand all
winter…”

• This quote gives the image that Batman has been

reduced to this mean image of him stewing chicken
giblets-pathetic and lonely. It shows that he has let
himself go and doesn’t care anymore.
 Rhythm
• The rhythm reflects the popular comic
book/show theme tune to give the poem more
meaning and relation with the duo of batman
and robin.
• The poem also has iambic pentameter to relate
to the theme tune again, and also to show the
list that robin is giving about all of the things that
he finds fault with batman.
 Language
• Dramatic Monologue
• The use of slang: “doffed”, “scotched” and “sacked
it”.
• There are also time references in the poem which
relate to the 1930-40’s – “Kid”, “Big shot”, “Wild
Blue Yonder” and “Caper”.
• Movie References: “Ditched me”
• There is one Metaphor: “…I’m not playing ball boy
any longer…” – he refers himself to always being
the one who did all the work.
• References to the cartoon: “Holy Robin-Redbreast-
nest-egg-shocker”
 Symbols
• “…now I’m taller, harder, stronger,
older…” – this shows that Robin has
broken free from his previous life in
Batman’s shadow, which symbolises that
people can change their lives.
• Also the symbol that batman is left as
nothing.
 Comparison with another poem

• Kid can be compared with Education for

Leisure because in this poem the persona
also shows bitterness because people didn’t
take any notice of him either.
• Also you could compare the Laboratory with
Kid because this also shows anger and
bitterness to someone close to them.