Effects By Alan Jenkins

Question 1

Themes

Answer 1

Loss and memory
Regret and shame
Parenthood and family

Question 2

Loss and memory theme

Answer 2

• memories bring us closer to our loved ones after death rather than during life. This was the case with both the son with his mother and the mother with the father
• how loss triggers memories and nostalgia
• after death what remains of a person are the memories of them

Question 3

Regret and shame theme

Answer 3

• cyclical nature: first the mother felt regret for not appreciating the father and now the son feels the same with his mother.
• only during loss the speaker begins regretting not having appreciated his mother more.
• he feels guilt for the shame he felt towards his parents

Question 4

Parenthood and family theme

Answer 4

• generational gap makes children be ashamed of their parents and their ways.
• we often don’t realise the effect our parents have on us
• cyclical: the way parents took care of us we now must do the same for them.
• parents and people have their own way of expressing love : since we don’t realise this until they’re gone it can cause resentment.
• at death we feel regret and sadness for not spending enough time with our family or taking them for granted

Question 5

Form

Answer 5

2 sentences: the first one is before becoming a widow and second one is after becoming a widow.
ENJAMBMENT : the overflowing emotions, he is overwhelmed with guilt and loss and this is just him losing control and letting everything out.
One single stanza: raw unfiltered thoughts and emphasises the loss and guilt - he has no time to think about organisation .