Midnight represents evil, light from windows (crosses) keeps it at bay. MacCaig is saying that people think that they can stop evil through religion but ultimately they can't.

Could reference crusades and the idea that the West should spread it's views to 'uncivilized' societies. "Uncivilised Darkness"

"And who would be who have to be his victims?"

"reveal to the illiterate the goodness of God and the suffering of His Son"

This quote references to the Priest who simply ignores the beggar on the steps of the church. We are instantly shown two very extreme opposites, a beggar and a church which would have gold, money, power and influence. The quote is a biblical reference and the priest seems in awe of the depiction of the teachings than actually practicing them himself and helping the beggar. This show how hypocritical the church can be, just like the unwilling rich in 'Hotel Room' who wanted to defeat evil by building 'light' in the form of skyscrapers etc, instead of actually helping the people in the dark of the city which would have really made a difference.

Money, influence and power doesn't always go hand in hand with wisdom and knowledge

Technological advancements haven't helped everyone as people are still living in terrible poverty. They have been left behind.

Violence has become a permanent thing in NYC and it's only those with the most money who can escape it and keep themselves safe. For many people in poverty, it's a fight for survival.

The place for humans has been lost. They've been abandoned in the race for progress.

MacCaig makes the point that society forces certain groups of people to be criminals, like those in poverty or minorities, and then judges them harshly. The use of the word 'victims' suggests that perhaps the people that the cop arrests are innocent or undeserving of his violence.

"police cars and ambulances racing to the broken bones, the harsh screaming from coldwater flats, the blood glazed on sidewalks."

Violence has existed all throughout history and is still happening today. MacCaig suggests that technological progress hasn't resulted in societal civility. Instead, the materialist, progress-driven culture is creating suffering and poverty or, at least, ignoring it.

"She was winds pouring wetly round house-ends"

Shows that her existence and the natural world were intertwined.

"her strong foot strained with peat"

Her and the land are so intertwined that it made an indelible impression on her.

"Shook on a wrong branch of his family tree"

Reminds us of evolution and how we are all interconnected with nature.

"the three tiers of churches built in honour of St Francis, brother of the poor, talker with birds

The church has lost the true message of St Francis by building such a grand building for a man who preached simple living, and by not helping the poor which directly opposes what St Francis did.

He has lost connection with her as their grief, pain and sadness has seperated them.

The nurses experience so much loss everyday yet can still fight through.

The death of Aunt Julia represents the loss of a distinct Scottish heritage, language and culture that is at serious risk of completely disappearing from modern society.

"police cars and ambulances racing to the broken bones, the harsh screaming from coldwater flats, the blood glazed on sidewalks."

Technological advancements haven't helped everyone as people are still living in terrible poverty and facing lots of violence. They have been left behind and the place for humans have been lost in the race for societal progress.