Aunt Julia Flashcards
AJ Themes
Lack of Communication
Loss of a Person and Culture
Isolation
Relationship
Aunt Julia spoke Gaelic very loud and very fast (x2)
Gives setting in North West Highlands. Demonstrates her energy. (x2) Repetition Re-emphasises her energy
I could not .. I could not.
Repetition. Barriers in there communication. First person, making it more personal. Frustration.
Men’s boots
She tough, works hard (crofter). She in her own.
Absolute Darkness -> Absolute Black
Contrast between comfort and sadness
Crickets being friendly
He felt at ease in a natural setting
She was brown eggs, black skirts and a keeper of threepennybits in a teapot.
A representation of her
She was winds pouring wetly round house-ends
She is powerful like the wind
Very loud -> silenced
Contrast - alive vs dead
A seagull’s voice
A reminder of her voice links back to “very loud”.
Getting angry, getting angry.
The repartition shows his frustration of not being able to communicate with his aunt because he left it too late to learn her language.
Unanswered
Final word. Summarises the whole poem. They never had a chance to speak or answer each other’s questions. After her death he has to continue without ever really knowing his aunt.
