Carol Ann Duffy- Originally Flashcards
Stanza one- “We”
The plural pronoun shows a shared experience between her and her family.
Stanza one- “our own”
Assonance reinforces the sense of belonging of her home town that she is in the process of leaving.
Stanza one- “red room”
The use of a metaphor and alliteration gives a child like impression on the word ‘red’ that has connotations of anger and danger.
Stanza one- “fell…fields”
This alliteration is drawing attention to the poets lack of control in her life.
Stanza one- “our mother singing”
The contrast here is showing an optimistic mother who is very happy about the move. This is a clear contrast to Duffys emotions of sadness and anger.
Stanza one- “bawling, home,home”
The repition of “home,home” and word choice of “bawling” is further emphasising Duffys sadness of leaving her home where she’s grown up.
Stanza one- “miles rushed back”
The personification here shows a sense of speed and things that are happening out with Duffys control.
Stanza one- “City,… didn’t live anymore”
This list conveys how much Duffy feels has been left behind, including all her childhood memories.
Stanza one- “blind toy”
This is symbolic to Duffys situation as Duffy feels ‘blind’ as she’s heading somewhere unknown.
Stanza two- “all childhood is an emigration”
This metaphor is comparing childhood with a major uprooting/disturbance and the moving from somewhere of comfort.
Stanza two- “some are slow…up an avenue”
The sentence structure of long and drawn out sentences related to the slow change and state of childhood.
Stanza two- “others are sudden. Your accent is wrong”
Theses short sentences show how sudddn the change in Duffys life was and how she feels her accent is “wrong” as it didn’t match the other kids.
Stanza two- “seem…don’t understand”
The word choice emphasises Duffys sense of confusion and her feeling as if she doesn’t belong.
Stanza two- “eating worms and shouting”
Duffy is confronted by agressive behaviour from the older boys and language that is so new it is alien to her.
Plosive A- “big boys”
Stanza two- “I want out own country”
This repeats the usual from the opening lines- italles- full circle
