Material Flashcards
my mother was the hanky queen
introduces the extended metaphor of the hankie being associated with the older generation of motherhood
not paper tissues
critiques of her own motherhood for being fragile, weak - highlights juxtaposition- bond is less strong
late-night garages and shops/ but things for waving out of trains
juxtaposition with the convenient and fast paced nature of modern motherhood with the romanticised and idealised image of old motherhood
mopping of the corners of your grief:
also ties the hankie to her grief for her mother
embroidered with a V for Viv
the image of embroidery is personalised and more significance
spittled and scrubbed against my face.
the use of sibilance reveals a sense of shame and embarrassment which comes with the intensity of the care
however the speaker no longer feels this way and now looks back on the memories with nostalgia
if she had a farm up there
image of cultivation reveals the growth and nurture associated with motherhood
she bought her own; I never did.
the use of caesura emphasises the difference between the two motherhoods
hankies were presents from distant aunts/ in boxed sets, with transparent covers/ and scrip initials, spelling ponce
listing emphasises the significance in older motherhood- being rooted in tradition and meaningful
got male ones: serious and grey,/ and larger, like they had more snot
disregard and outdated standards of old motherhood- misses it but does not wish for it to return to the patriarchal society it existed in
humorous ridicule- simile
you’d never find in today’s malls.
enstop emphasises the dismissal of the past
greengrocer George/ Comma van / Mrs White
the use of the proper nouns emphasises the closer community associated with the past - more meaningful and significant
enjambment in stanza 5-6 in material?
the continuation of the anecdote through enjmabment demonstrates the overflowing community in the past which the speaker is still nostalgic of in the present
step-together, step-together, step-together
the use of repetition demonstrates the conformity of the past ideals for women - feminised teachings of following the status quo
nostalgia only makes me old.
the use of enstop emphasises the dismissal of the past - doesn’t bring her any good/use anymore
killed in lassitude/ And it was me that turned it on
the mother critiques her own motherhood as being less personal - metaphor for societal change
There’s never a hanky up my sleeve.
continued metaphor of change - doesn’t provide the same level of personal care
But it isn’t mine. I’ll let it go.
decisive use of caesura demonstrates how she lets go of the past motherhood and moves on
this is your material/ To do with, daughter, what you will
use of italics demonstrates the mother’s voice - provides the speaker with some freedom over her own motherhood - positive tone
