For My Grandmother Knitting Flashcards
The grandmother still knits despite being told to stop
“There is no need they say/but the needles still move”
As a young girl the grandmother was good with her hands and was quick too
“Sure and skilful hands/ of the fisher girl”
Various roles the grandmother had when she was younger
“once the hands of the bride”
“Once the hands of the miner’s wife”
“Once the hands of the mother/ of six”
The grandmother was once needed by her family to take care of them which reflects on her need to knit now
“Once the hands of the miner’s wife who scrubbed his back”
Sibilance used to show that the Grandmother was kept busy with a large family to support.
“Once the handles of the mother/ of six who made do and mended/scraped and slaved slapped sometimes”
The generation difference is shown by the children with plenty clothes compared to the struggle the grandmother had
“The kids they say grandma/have too much already/ more than they can wear”
Repetition suggests this is said to the grandmother a lot. Reinforces the grandmother’s sense of uselessness
“But now they say there is no need”
Grandmother still wants to be useful
“Grab you do too much/ there’s no necessity”
Pun to show literal and mental effect of ageing
“You are old now/and your grasp of things is not so good”
Emphasis of her suffering due to old age
“Swollen-jointed. Red. Arthritic. Old”
