Cosy Aplogia Flashcards
“I could pick anything and think of you”
She portrays her love as all consuming, the quote emphasises that Fred is never far from her thoughts, which is a testament to the power of their love which has captivated her entirely
“Hero, any cause or age, And sure as shooting arrows to the heart, astride a dappled mare” “firm upon the enemy”
This emphasises that she feels safe and secure within her relationship and puts her complete confidence in Fred.
She relies on clichés of romantic fiction to confer her adoration comparing him to a “dappled mare”.
“Post-Post modern age”
In the second stanza Dove develops an awareness of the incompatibility of the cliched and romanticised hero with the mundane everyday realities in America in the late 1900s. With the revelation her metaphor begins to feel worn out, juvenile and naive as she implies that within the ‘post-post modern age’ of ever advancing technology, we should also reevaluate our romantic ideals and stop fixating on the fantastical and unrealistic portrayals of love
“Of teenage crushes on worthless boys”
Juxtaposes with her profound feeling of love and commitment that she feels for her husband. The noun “crushes” implies these fleeting relationships lacks substance or depth.
“Kiss you senseless”
Conveys passion and sexual attraction attraction, but noun “senseless” implies lack of intellectual compatibility or genuine connection beyond lustful and physical attraction.
“Thin as liquorice and as chewy, Sweet with a dark hollow centre”
Emphasises how excitement and pace of infatuation pales in comparison to the contentment brought about by a committed relationship.
“Twin desks”
Although the image of Dove working side by side with her husband seems less exhilarating and powerful than her past relationships, Dove contests it is in fact far more meaningful and strong. For dove the reality of love surpasses idealised or unrealistic portrayals of love and is worthy of celebration.
“We’re content, but fall short of it the divine”
Emphasises the satisfaction and peaceful happiness she obtains from her relationships, but she resists any societal pressure to exaggerate or deify her love.
“Melancholy (call it blues)”
Her relationship affords her a sanctuary and resilience when times are challenging enabling her to avoid feelings of melancholy.
Context
Through the unusual backdrop of the poem - hurricane Floyd wrecking havoc in east coast America in 1999 - she emphasises how true love sustains us through ups and downs of life. As such the obligation to remain indoors as a safety precaution provided dove an opportunity to reflect on her relationship and the sure and steadfast support her husband provides her which she pays homage to throughout the poem.
Introduction
Dove uses the autobiographical poem Cozy Apologia as a vehicle to celebrate her love for her husband Fred; however, unconventionally she chooses to focus in the mundane and domestic aspects of their relationship. Rejection unrealistic, fantastical notions of love, she asserts that true love has little to do with the unbridled passion or grand romantic gestures; instead it is displayed in the understated acts of day-to-day life within a mature, stable relationship - the rewards of which are deeper and richer than anything romantic fantasy can afford. Having been forced to stay at home due to hurricane Floyd, Dove advocates slowing down and appreciating the minutia of life and the preciousness of relationships we might be in lines to take for granted and overlook when caught up in the hecticness. of our normal schedules
