Key Quotes and Analysis of Mrs Midas Part 1 Flashcards
What is the technique and evaluation for “It was late September”?
T- Setting
E- Establishes setting, Autumnal season - gold hues - ties in with gold.
What is the technique and evaluation for the first paragraph of the poem?
T- Contrast, imagery, onomatopoeia and hint.
E- It is a domestic scene where Duffy personifies the kitchen.
E- There is a sense of normality which contrasts withe the bizarre scenes which follow.
E- “glass like a brow” simile suggests that Mrs Midas is a tender and caring person.
E- Hints at the loving, tender and physical nature of their relationship.
E- “snapping” onomatopoeia.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “drink the light of the sky but that twig in his hand was gold.”?
T- Metaphor, word choice.
E- Metaphor - describes the way the landscape seems to draw in the remaining light on the horizon, creating an ominous atmosphere.
E- Word choice “but” shows how she is adamant she is seeing a gold twig.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “plucked”?
T- word choice
E- translates to ‘melting autumn’ - Mrs M seems somewhat pretentious.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “it sat in his palm like a light bulb”?
T- Simile
E- strange appearance of pear and the light emanating from it- Duffy is delaying the moment of Mrs M’s realisation.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “On”?
T- Minor Sentence
E- Blunt short sentence conveys the growing confusion of Mrs M.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “I thought to myself, Is he putting fairy lights in the tree?”?
T- Rhetorical question
E- The question suggest she is incredulous about what she thinks she can’t possibly be seeing. She questions what she sees because it does not make sense.
What is the evaluation for the third paragraph?
E- This stanza describes Midas’s journey through the house in a string of short sentences. Focus is on him as it lists his movements.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quotes “He came….. He drew…… He sat”?
T- Repetition
E- Repetition of “He” shows how Mrs M directs everything towards Mrs Midas.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “You know the mind”?
E- Direct address is conversational almost confessional
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “Field of the Cloth of Gold and of Miss Macready”?
T- Comparison
E- Reference to historical meeting of Henry VIII and Francis I. A vivid memory of a history lesson and teacher is evoked.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “He sat in that chair like a king on a burnished throne.”?
T- Simile, Word choice.
E- Simile suggest he has become King - like when sitting in his chair. Word choice - “burnished” - creates image of a gleaming, smooth, polished throne.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “strange, wild, vain.”?
T- List
E- List of adjectives used to convey Midas’s reaction - realisation of power is dawning on him.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “He started to laugh”?
E- Symbolism
T- Mrs M is exasperated, incredulous and perplexed which causes Midas to laugh at her.
What is the technique and evaluation for the quote “I served up the meal”?
T- Symbolism
E- Unusual reaction given the circumstances. Mrs M fits typical gender role - serving husband his dinner. Suggests situation is so bizarre she can do nothing but dish up dinner.
