Genetics- Sinead Morrissey Flashcards
Summary
Morrissey meditates on the way that inherited traits connect people to the past, their hands contain inherited features from their mother and father ,linking the now separated couple.
Looks at the idea on how even a breakdown of a marriage or relationship ,kids act as a permanent union, and an ever-lasting reminder of what the parents relationship once was.
Structure
Villanelle
French form of poetry, tight and unique structure made of 5 stanzas. Used to emphasise the message and emotion of the poem.
Structure
Rhythm
Internal rhyme, enhances its musicality and the sound patterns of each live.
Structure
Tone
Playful tone - poetic voice considers her family ,derives pleasure from the fact she can prove it through her hands, makes it clear its more about perspective of a situation.
Wider Issues
Loss of Individuality
Poem reflects on the tensions between individuality and how we perceive ourself vs how we are seen by others.
Particularly when traits of behaviours are associates with family members or ancestors
Wider Issues
Inheritance and Legacy
Reflects how genetic traits are passed down from one generation to next, these inherited traits are both a source of continuity and a form of burden, reflecting how the past is embedded in the present through genetic connections.
Critical Perspectives
Oedipal Complex
Where the child subconsciously mimics or reacts against the behaviours and traits of their parents.
The ‘genetics’ of the title may allude to inherited patterns of behaviour , both constructive and destructive, that echo the dynamics of familiar relationships and psychological development.
Critical Perspectives
Marxism
Would emphasise the role of social class and economic factors in shaping identity and inheritance.
Represents the social structures that influence how people understand themselves and their place in the world.
“my father in my fingers, but my mother’s in my palms”
Extended metaphor throughout.
Parallelism emphasises the distinct yet connected inheritance from each parent.
Comma forms a pivot for the line, helping to create a balance ironic since the speaker has no stability through her parents separation.
Repetition reinforces the undeniable and constant connection by leaving and returning again, therefore weakening the inheritance in different generations.
“made me by my hands”
Cyclical Structure: Symbol of creation and an embodiment of the parents union is first established here.
“quarry for their image by a river”
Metaphor- compares searching or digging for your image/identity to the indistinct reflection of yourself.
Despite the lack of relationship, there is still a positive outcome.
“take up the skins demands”
Personification- makes the skin a metaphor for an adult who wants children.
Enjambment- created a flowing and personal tone as the speaker extends the invitation to the silent listener ( her current partner).
“We know our parents make us by our hands”
Final repetition of the unique image of hands as a metaphor for a union.
Hands: joined in marriage, hold wedding rings, identify us to police and palm reading. In many ways hands tell the story of our lives and the image has been explored.
Villanelle has now been resolved. The narrator who previously referred to only her parents, now introduces her lover.
