A birthday Flashcards
Meaning:
The writer shows love towards another person in the form of a poem. She does this by expressing its innocence magic/surrealism that people in love experience. Wishes to show that love is all you need. The day when your life begins, title “A Birthday”
First 4 lines
‘Whose nest’ - Imagery of safety and comfort
‘My heart is like a singing bird’ - Simile to make her love seem free and happy
‘watered shoot’ growth/development of her relationship
Second 4 lines
Use of ‘my’ make it seem self centred
‘My heart is like a rainbow shell’ - Sense of surrealism mirrors the sensation of love
‘Halcyon sea’ tranquil waters, sense of joy/security
‘My heart is gladder than all these’ Feelings above/beyond the feels described, can’t put feelings into words
Third 4 lines
‘dais of silk and down’ - Lightness adds to upbeat feeling
‘Doves’ - innocence ‘Pomegranates’ fertility
Change from me to series of imperatives show how important her love is
Peacocks gold and silver - precious and beautiful
‘Birthday of my life’ sense of rebirth now she is in love changed person
Imagery intense/rich experience developed from 1st stanza
Alternate meanings
What women expect love to be like.
Self expression and the natural word
Love
