In Depth Emigree

Question 1

Content and meaning

Answer 1

Emigree- female who is forced to leave their county for political or social reasons

Speaker describes her memories of a home city that forced to flee- now sick with tyrants

Despite the cities problems, positive memories not extinguished

Question 2

Language

Answer 2

I left it as a child: ambiguous meaning- either she left when she was child or city (was vulnerable so now feels responsibility toward it)

I am branded by an impression of sunlight: imagery of light- stay forever

I comb its hair and love it’s shining eyes: personified like child (maternal love to protect city)

My city takes me dancing (romantic and passionate lover)

My city hides behind me: vulnerable and despite fact she had to flee, she is strong

Tyrants, tanks, frontiers: semantic field of conflict

Question 3

Structure

Answer 3

First person: personal and ownership towards city

Epistrophe of sunlight

Sunlight: reinforces overriding positivity of city and poem

First two stanzas have lots of enjambment-freedom. Final two lots of full stops as trapped by tyrants