Genetics by Sinead Morrissey Flashcards
STRUCTURE
What is the rhyme scheme?
final word of each stanza
rhymes with
final word of the first line in the next stanza
STRUCTURE
What does the rhyme scheme give an idea of? How does this relate to the narrator?
a joining factor
idea of a link over the gap of the stanza
which is what the narrator is despite the separation of the parents
STRUCTURE
What is an alternative interpretation of the rhyme scheme? How does this relate to the narrator?
that is somewhat ‘forced’
because of the repetition of the same words in order to make this pattern
the link between the mother and father is likely to have not been maintained without the narrator
STRUCTURE
What does the physical structure show? What is the exception and its meaning?
it is a relatively even structure
the small exceptions to the consistent line/stanza lengths e.g. 4th stanza has a notably short second line
it is roughly half the length
it is a transitional point in the second half, focusing on the idea of movement
STRUCTURE
What is another notable exception to the regular structure? What does it mean?
the final line in a quatrain (in previous tercets)
could be interpreted as representing the idea of continuation and personal growth
in the way it extends the stanza
STRUCTURE
What key technique is used? What is the effect of this?
end-stopped lines at end of stanzas
in form of:
full stops (5 times)
commas (1 time)
effect: more even rhythm and pace
emphasis break in the flow where the comma is used instead of a full stop
STRUCTURE
What do the end-stopped lines allude to?
idea of separation and ‘breaks’ within a relationship
or extent of the transfer of the narrator from one parent to another
STRUCTURE
What is the form of this poem? What does this mean?
Villanelle 19 line poem two repeated rhymes two refrains made up of 5 tercets (stanzas with 3 lines) 1 quatrain
usually concentrate on dissecting themes of love, loss and challenge
STRUCTURE
What are Morrissey’s rhymes? What does this help to highlight?
half rhymes created by the ‘a’ sound
children are not carbon copies of their parents
there is always a link despite physical separation
STRUCTURE
What does the interlacing via rhyming of words suggest?
inheritance of genetics as revealed in the narrator’s hands
STRUCTURE
Other than being a Villanelle, what else do you notice about the form? What is the significance of this?
it is circular
it comes back to the final couplet where it began
significance: it forms a ring, echoing the imagery of marriage
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
What technique is frequently used? What effect does this have on the poem?
repetition
e.g. “fingers” and “palms”
begins to form into a childlike rhyme or song (perhaps associated with something religious or spiritual)
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
What kind of terms are overwhelmingly used? What does this communicate?
possessive terms in the poems (e.g. “my”, “I”)
communicates: the ownership that the narrator has over their body
also the characteristics which they have inherited from their parents
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
What does “my” preceding either “mother” or “father” demonstrate?
the way in which the narrator is bringing the two together
in reality and in the poem itself
the frequently small visual space between the two words emphasising this connection
LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES
How are verbs used in the poem?
regularly
e.g. “life”, “made”, “take”
effective in their simplicity
feeling of continuation and movement
showing continuation of connection and relationship
connection can be seen as ‘everlasting’
