STAGE 2 ENGLISH | PERFORMANCE POETRY STUDY
OCD by Neil Hilborn
In the poem OCD, in what ways does Neil Hilborn use poetic devices, performance
elements, and vocabulary choices to awaken sympathy from the audience and
encourage them to appreciate People with obsessive-compulsive behaviour?
OCD by Neil Hilborn is a slam dunk poetry exploring love and the themes of loss. This is
showcased by using a di erent variety of language techniques like repetition and imagery to
manipulate the audience's emotions. The poem uses strong emotions and expression as its main
driving force. In this analysis, we will be analysing speech techniques, poetic devices, themes and
overall performance of Neil Hilborns OCD
Neill Hilborn starts the poem by vividly portraying the intrusive and consuming nature of
obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD) while he also introduces the transformative e ect of being
in love for the rst time. Hilborn introduces the opening in a soft and warm tone making the
audience feel the need of wanting to pay attention. He describes the rst moment of tranquillity
amidst the constant chaos of OCD, “The rst time I saw her, Everything in my head went quiet”.
The sudden silence in his mind starkly juxtaposed with the tumultuous nature of an obsessive
disorder. This contrast captures the chaos and disruptive nature ocd, where even mundane tasks
like eating, sleeping, walking, locking doors, and washing hands become extremely stressful.
Hilborn is extremely expressive with his body language, he rapidly shakes his head to the right
multiple times with each repetition, “Even in bed, I’m thinking: Did I lock the doors? Yes. Did I
wash my hands? Yes. Did I lock the doors? Yes. Did I wash my hands? Yes,”. Hilborn’s raw
expression of emotions when he describes the e ect of OCD, encourages the audience to
empathise because it gives us an insight of how he re ects on his thoughts. But then all the
strong body language turns into soft and warm, and the strong shaking of his hands turns into a
smooth soft motion as soon as he mentions the Women. “But when I saw her, the only thing I
could think about was the hairpin curve of her lips.” The way he uses his hands to describe her
feels as if he has a delicate egg in his hands. Suggesting with the right person genuine love can
help someone cope with OCD.
As Hilborn and the women seemingly get closer, his xation on the woman intensi es. He Uses
repetition while rapidly turning his head to the right with a rushed tone to his voice. “Or the
eyelash on her cheek, the eyelash on her cheek, the eyelash on her cheek.,” to show the
obsessive nature of Hilborn’s thoughts. Even though his deeply in love, Hiborns's OCD intrudes
as he describes getting occupied with organising his food by colour instead of engaging with his
beloved. Through repetition, Hilborn explores the complexities of OCD, prompting the readers to
empathise with Hilborn's plight and learn to appreciate the profound impact of having OCD. This
in return makes the audience feel self-aware about the obsessive nature of OCD and the ways it
can dominate a person’s thoughts. It shows the severe impact OCD has on the daily ability to
function properly in life and prompts the readers to empathize deeply with individuals su ering
from the same condition. Niel Hilborn carefully uses imagery to create a surreal image of their rst
date. “On our rst date, I spent more time organizing my meal by colour than I did eating it”
Hilborn’s tone of voice alongside the way his eyes sink emphasises his disappointment at being
unable to resist the urge. This highlights another side e ect of having OCD, “tidiness”. Having
obsessive compulsion makes you constantly feel the need to make everything look perfect,
creating an order of striving for perfection. Hilborn switches the tone by saying “But she loved it.
She loved that I had to kiss her goodbye sixteen times or twenty-four times at di erent times of
the day.”, giving the audience a sense of relief as is portrayed as his savour because she loves
fi ff fi ff fiflff fi ff fi ff ff fi
OCD by Neil Hilborn
In the poem OCD, in what ways does Neil Hilborn use poetic devices, performance
elements, and vocabulary choices to awaken sympathy from the audience and
encourage them to appreciate People with obsessive-compulsive behaviour?
OCD by Neil Hilborn is a slam dunk poetry exploring love and the themes of loss. This is
showcased by using a di erent variety of language techniques like repetition and imagery to
manipulate the audience's emotions. The poem uses strong emotions and expression as its main
driving force. In this analysis, we will be analysing speech techniques, poetic devices, themes and
overall performance of Neil Hilborns OCD
Neill Hilborn starts the poem by vividly portraying the intrusive and consuming nature of
obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD) while he also introduces the transformative e ect of being
in love for the rst time. Hilborn introduces the opening in a soft and warm tone making the
audience feel the need of wanting to pay attention. He describes the rst moment of tranquillity
amidst the constant chaos of OCD, “The rst time I saw her, Everything in my head went quiet”.
The sudden silence in his mind starkly juxtaposed with the tumultuous nature of an obsessive
disorder. This contrast captures the chaos and disruptive nature ocd, where even mundane tasks
like eating, sleeping, walking, locking doors, and washing hands become extremely stressful.
Hilborn is extremely expressive with his body language, he rapidly shakes his head to the right
multiple times with each repetition, “Even in bed, I’m thinking: Did I lock the doors? Yes. Did I
wash my hands? Yes. Did I lock the doors? Yes. Did I wash my hands? Yes,”. Hilborn’s raw
expression of emotions when he describes the e ect of OCD, encourages the audience to
empathise because it gives us an insight of how he re ects on his thoughts. But then all the
strong body language turns into soft and warm, and the strong shaking of his hands turns into a
smooth soft motion as soon as he mentions the Women. “But when I saw her, the only thing I
could think about was the hairpin curve of her lips.” The way he uses his hands to describe her
feels as if he has a delicate egg in his hands. Suggesting with the right person genuine love can
help someone cope with OCD.
As Hilborn and the women seemingly get closer, his xation on the woman intensi es. He Uses
repetition while rapidly turning his head to the right with a rushed tone to his voice. “Or the
eyelash on her cheek, the eyelash on her cheek, the eyelash on her cheek.,” to show the
obsessive nature of Hilborn’s thoughts. Even though his deeply in love, Hiborns's OCD intrudes
as he describes getting occupied with organising his food by colour instead of engaging with his
beloved. Through repetition, Hilborn explores the complexities of OCD, prompting the readers to
empathise with Hilborn's plight and learn to appreciate the profound impact of having OCD. This
in return makes the audience feel self-aware about the obsessive nature of OCD and the ways it
can dominate a person’s thoughts. It shows the severe impact OCD has on the daily ability to
function properly in life and prompts the readers to empathize deeply with individuals su ering
from the same condition. Niel Hilborn carefully uses imagery to create a surreal image of their rst
date. “On our rst date, I spent more time organizing my meal by colour than I did eating it”
Hilborn’s tone of voice alongside the way his eyes sink emphasises his disappointment at being
unable to resist the urge. This highlights another side e ect of having OCD, “tidiness”. Having
obsessive compulsion makes you constantly feel the need to make everything look perfect,
creating an order of striving for perfection. Hilborn switches the tone by saying “But she loved it.
She loved that I had to kiss her goodbye sixteen times or twenty-four times at di erent times of
the day.”, giving the audience a sense of relief as is portrayed as his savour because she loves
fi ff fi ff fiflff fi ff fi ff ff fi
