Dave,
> the Betjeman poem is a compilation of cliche reactions to cliche, behind
> it
> is that telegenic old-buffer-to-be's fantasy vision of a Britain of
> Thatch'd, as he would have written it, cottages, happy and uneducated
> peasants.
>
> That the Betjemans of this world and all their ilk depend upon the profits
> to extracted from places like Slough must not be mentioned.
It is filled with cliche but I think the rhythmic relentlessness and the
hard rhymes give it a great deal of power. Also, as a poem that has popular
appeal - it has become part of the British consciousness (whatever that is).
It has a darkly funny quality that appeals to Brits. I don't think
Betjeman's politics are at all important to how the poem is received today.
The fact is the poem has qualities that are withstanding time.
Tina
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