MATERIAL Flashcards
what is the poem about
the transition between childhood and adulthood
nostalgia of a less consumerist time
reminiscent of a mother-child relationship
what happens in the poem?
mother was a sentimental figure for the narrator, looked after her with love. explores the idea that sentimentality and ‘material’ has been replaced by useless, void gifts. speaks of times changing, of past memories that are romanticised, and says how this innocence has been killed. the mother feels guilt about her own children, says they are neglected
progress of structure - regular verses until the sixth stanza when the eight line rule is broken and the flow of the poem is disrupted
marks a shift in tone - from this point on the poem has a feeling of sadness and nostalgia as the narrator reminisces on changes within society
each stanza is end stopped
traditional structure of society
world in times gone by - order and structure contrasts to the ‘tissues and uncertainity’
symbolism of the handkerchief
represents the ideas and features of a past time in the poets childhood
means the reader can interpret and associate with their own experiences, makes it more personal and emotive
colloquial language
'tucked in the wrist of every cardi' natural speech more personal family life and sentiment same as personal pronouns
nostalgia only makes me old
one of the shortest lines - contrasts against the other long rambling ideas of the memories
abrupt end to sentiment
shows how the narrator feels old because these times are in the past, childhood has changed
their soft and hidden history
an obect so simple - a family heirloom, seemingly worthless - given importance
alluding to tradition - these kind of things are a thing of the past
tissues and uncertainty
the sadness of consumerism shown throughout the poem are just surface levels of the emotion of the narrator - this is actually a personal sadness
lost without her mother
CHILDHOOD
how situations have changed and developed over time
what has been lost
IDENTITY
differences between core principles of the mother and the narrator contrasted
how society has the power to shape personal history
PAST AND PRESENT
readers move from a romantic past to a more uncertain present
uncertainty of the future - the past is some sort of safe haven
my mother was the hanky queen, when hanky meant a thing of cloth
extended metaphor - the mother was a constant figure in the narrators life, durable and reliable
a gift that contrasts against the disposable nature of tissues
this is your material to do with, daughter, what you will
possibility for the future - hope of change
can be nurtured into being different
