Ambivalent Affects in Kae Tempest’s "Europe Is Lost‪"‬

This paper analyses Kae Tempest's poem "Europe Is Lost," focusing on the interplay of liquid textures and the ambivalent emotional responses they elicit, specifically stuplimity and worry. Utilizing theoretical frameworks such as texture theory, affordances of form, and text world theory, the study examines how the poem's language and structure create a sense of fluidity that mirrors contemporary societal issues. The analysis identifies key elements, including the personal narrative of the character Esther, collective emotional experiences, and the use of rhetorical questions, which engage readers and encourage empathy. Furthermore, the paper contrasts the written text with its live performance, revealing a shift in emotional emphasis from worry to stuplimity in oral renditions.