this poem outlines the dehuminising experience of being interviwed by head office
2nd/3rd stanza
"severed head under one arm"-presents us of an image of a ghost which reinforces the lack of notice taken of him and the sense of his unimportance ("the man behind the desk never once looked me in the eyes)" the severed head refers to the execution of his true identity and his ethnicity. he feels like hes all dressed up for his death. therefore it is suggestive of a funeral. the mood is grim as he mourns for the loss of his identity.
"millionth person"-hyperbole (exageration)-tone of irritation at being paid no attention to.
4th stanza
"we packed the car, Like a war-time train"- simile which continues the idea of misery and his reluctance to leave home. he is not happy to be sent away from home by a higher authority
5th stanza
"Three hundred miles"- its such a long distance yet he hasnt arrived at his destination....."Up the New England Highway i stopped"- stopped to relieve his tiredness and stresses the distance travelled so far.
"swore that Head office....."- he is resentful and angry at head office. he is determined not to be treated the same way again and he wants to return as the conquering hero "Scipio Africanus" (Roman general who also went on physical journey and returned a conquering hero)....
last lines of poem present sereal images of dreams he is having and suggest the anguish he feels with this journey away from family security. There is a sustained metaphor of the sereal paintings where there are bizarre, unreal and vibrant colour used to refelct chaotic world. Those figures in his dreams clap while he dances to fiddle music. head office controls his acts
"sour milk"- feelings pf resentment of his treatment and reinforces the strength of his dislike and misery of leaving home.
i dunno.........brief summary.......hope it helps.....
edit: he mainly uses similies, imagery, hyperboles, irony (he travelled so far yet still did not reach his destination), makes reference to real ppl "Scipio Africanus" (i dunno wat they call that technique), tone, mood....etc..
wow joujou_84 how nice of u 2 type that all up