Dusting the phone Flashcards
Who was dusting the phone written by?
Jackie Kay
Three main themes of the poem?
Desire, time, unrequited love
The theme desire is portrayed how throughout the poem? Add a quote about how she thinks all the other people are
- The whole poem follows her idea of waiting for her ‘lovers’ phone call and voice.
“Calls from boring people”
The theme Time is portrayed how throughout the poem? Add a quote about how she feels about the future?
She obsessively watches the clock, and mentions the future. “Future is a long-gloved hand”
Two poems to use for comparison and why?
Warming her pearls (Desire)
A broken appointment (Time)
Quote 1, Stanza 1, Line 1:
“imagining the worst that could happen”
“imagining the worst that could happen” - Quote 1, Stanza 1, Line 1
Speaker is overthinking, imaging disastrous situations, making excuses for their lover not calling.
Quote 2, Stanza 1, Line 2:
“that being in love”
“that being in love” - Quote 2, Stanza 1, Line 2:
Love is ruling all of her thoughts
Overview of Stanza 1:
She is upset, and overthinks about why her lover has not called her. But she can think logically, however she is quite overruled by emotion
Quote 3, Stanza 2, Line 1&2:
“heralding some disaster. Sirens” “Sirens”
“Heralding some disaster. Sirens” “Sirens” - Quote 3, Stanza 2, Line 1&2:
Repetition of the word siren, Juxtaposition (Life/ death)
Quote 4, Stanza 2, Line 3:
“who would ring me to tell?”
“who would ring me to tell?” - Quote 4, Stanza 2, Line 3:
Rhetorical question, the relationship can also be seen as a secret. Hinting to the idea nobody loves her.
Quote 5, Stanza 3, Line 1:
“The future is a long gloved hand.”
