Mother and Son Flashcards
Key Quotation 1:
“a face which had something childish about it”
Key Quotation 1: Analysis
WC of “childish” suggests innocence and immaturity, petulant or moody.
Hasn’t had opportunity to grow up.
Key Quotation 2:
“they could be as dangerous and irresponsible as a child’s”
Key Quotation 2: Analysis
Extra detail about Johns eye and initial perception.
This simile suggests John may be capable of inflicting harm to his mother if he’s pushed too far because like a child he may lose control in a fit of anger.
Suspense builds.
Key Quotation 3:
“a bitter smile on her lips.”
Key Quotation 3: Analysis
Oxymoronic as a simile is generally associated with being happy and pleasant yet WC of “bitter” suggests women feel resentful because life has treated her badly in some sort of way. The mans mother has allowed her bitterness to consume her life.
Key Quotation 4:
“terrible witch’s idea”
Key Quotation 4: Analysis
The WC of “witch” to describe the womens facial expression suggests supernatural and strange powers over John.
The WC of “terrible” suggests she is evil preparing us for the vindictive treatment of John when she arises.
Key Quotation 5:
“My father was never like you. He was a man who knew his business.”
Key Quotation 5: Analysis
John’s mother has no kind word to say to her suffering son. She places any deficiencies of Johns character to his fathers side of the family “your family” separates her.
Undermining, rude and condescending.
“knew his business” suggests competence, intelligence and smart.
Key Quotation 6:
“Can’t you get a new record for your gramophone”
Key Quotation 6: Analysis
Gramophone metaphor used by John used here when he attempts to defend himself is highly effective at showing the frustration John experiences at the repetitive nature of his mothers critical remarks repetitive and monotonous.
The WC of “barbs” suggests spikey dangerous.
The WC of “despairingly” he feels done in and worn out cannot believe he still has to listen to this.
Key Quotation 7:
“it was in your family but not in ours”
“something wrong with their heads”
Key Quotation 7: Analysis
Use of “not in ours” considers herself to not be in the same family as her child and the lack of compassion towards her own son.
Alludes to her sons fathers side of the family having mental health problem separating him from her. Incredibly cruel.
She is disowning her own son but continues to expect him to care for her.
Key Quotation 8:
“her little bitter barbs”
Key Quotation 8: Analysis
The WC of “bitter” reappears reminding the reader of the resentful, discontened, spiteful nature of the mother.
The imagery of “barb” just as a “barb” is a sharp, pointed, end of an arrow or a fish hook which is difficult to remove and cause so too is the mothers critical comments and insults to John which are difficult to forget and John will carry in the back of his mind.
Key Quotation 9:
“she enjoyed pricking him with her subtle arrows”
Key Quotation 9: Analysis
The imagery of “arrows” conveys the extent of emotional pain which she inflicts on John with her weapons such as her words.
Just as a hunter attempts to attack and wound an animal to cause it physical suffering so too does Johns mother with her small evil condescending insults verbal attacks.
Key Quotation 10:
“a murderous determination”
Key Quotation 10: Analysis
WC of “murderous” suggesting that John may be capable of not just fighting back but even killing his mum. Shocking revelation.
Key Quotation 11:
“you’ve been in bed there for ten years now “
Key Quotation 11: Analysis
Word Choice of “10 years” shows his mum has been bed ridden for a decade showing he has been obliged to care for her for an extremely long amount of time.
Demoralizing, unfulfilling period of life for John.
Key Quotation 12:
“Why, you’d be no good in a job.”
Key Quotation 12: Analysis
Mother unable to control herself malicious spiteful remark to undermine her sons already rock bottom self confidence.
Nasty.
