Aunt Julia Flashcards
1
Q
“Aunt Julia spoke Gaelic very loud and very fast.
A
- Repetition of “very” emphasises how incomprehensible and energetic Aunt Julia was
2
Q
“I could not answer her - I could not understand her”
A
- Repetition emphasises the idea that there is a language barrier
- Use of punctuation creates the sense of an afterthought, emphasising the barrier.
- Enjambement of “her” emphasises who the reflection is about
3
Q
“She wore men’s boots when she wore any”
A
- Word choice of “men’s boots” creates the idea that she was very practical and handy, she needed rugged footwear for her activities
- Word choice of “when she wore any” creates the idea that she was very confident and ecentric
4
Q
”- I can see her strong foot”
A
- The present tense emphasises how vivid MacCaig’s memories of her are
- Word choice emphasises her strength and practicality
5
Q
“stained with peat”
A
- Word Choice shows that she was one with nature and is a symbol of it, the land has marked her.
6
Q
“while her right hand drew yarn marvellously out of the air”
A
- The word choice of “marvellously” shows that young MacCaig found the process magical and was entranced by it
- The long vowels of “drew” and “yarn” elongates the line, creates impression of the yarn being pulled
7
Q
“Hers was the only house”
A
- Starting the stanza with “hers” reminds us of what the poem is about, and her significance
- Word choice of “the only house” suggests how special his visits to his Aunt’s were
8
Q
“in the absolute darkness of a box bed”
A
- Word choice of “absolute darkness” shows that he was in an environment where a child would normally be very scared
- Word choice of “box bed” shows that he actually felt very safe because a box bed was a safe and enclosed bed
9
Q
“listening to crickets being friendly”
A
- Word choice of “friendly” shows that his fear is being replaced by the harmony of nature.
10
Q
“She was… She was… She was…”
A
- Repetition of the metaphor means that she not only that these activities were a part of her life, but she represented the way of life.
- She represents this rural Scottish way of life that has died like she has
11
Q
“silenced in the absolute black”
A
- Word choice of “silence” totally contrasts with her alive self who spoke “very loud and very fast”. Makes the death much sadder and more impactful.
- Word choice of “absolute black” reminds us of the “absolute darkness” of the box bed, but again there is a contrast as when she was live, the darkness was cosy and safe, but not the black is a bleak death.
- The tone is accusatory, blaming death for silencing his Aunt
12
Q
“of a sandy grave at Luskentyre”
A
- Word choice of the beautiful sounding word “Luskentyre” associates Aunt Julia with this amazing culture and again reminds us that she represents it
13
Q
“But I hear her still”
A
- The conjunction used creates a turning point and change of tone
- Word choice of “hear” shows that death couldn’t silence her. They have a spiritual bond that does not require language.
14
Q
“with a seagull’s voice”
A
- Again shows that Aunt Julia represents nature as her voice is like a seagull’s.
- Reminds us how loud and vibrant she was
15
Q
“getting angry, getting angry”
A
- Repetition emphasises their frustration over not being able to communicate, and also the dying culture
