Before You Were Mine

Question 1

time

Answer 1

reflects on her mother’s life and considers depth of her life before she was born

Question 2

summary

Answer 2

a eulogy aimed towards Duffy’s mother
emphasises Duffy’s love towards her mother but gives hints as to how Duffy being born may have negatively impacted her mother’s life

Question 3

place

Answer 3

no set place, all important to her mother

Question 4

relationships

Answer 4

relationships between the speaker, her mother and her grandmother and how they reflect one another

Question 5

characteristics of poetic voice

Answer 5

reminiscent
sentimental towards memories
aspects of humour and wistfulness

Question 6

“Cha cha cha!” “sparkle and waltz” “teach me”
semantic field of dance

Answer 6

they had a fun relationship with each other
highlights mother’s youth and how much she enjoyed herself
PV is romanticising her mum, nostalgic

Question 7

“steps” “stamping stars” “sparkle”
sibilance

Answer 7

implies a calm and peaceful relationship with her mother
creating a memory of maternal features
PV is sentimental

Question 8

“George Square” “Maggie McGeeney and Jean Duff”
pattern of proper nouns

Answer 8

highlighting places and people of importance to her mother
wonders whether she interrupted this fun aspect of her life
PV is curious and wistful

Question 9

comparisons to other poems

Answer 9

Litany - both include memories of their mothers from their childhood