Mother any distance Flashcards
What is the form of mother any distance
A loose sonnet form (doesn’t follow all conventions)
What is the “problem” in the first 8 lines of the poem, and what is the “resolution” in the next 6 in “mother any distance”
problem - The child needs their mother, but she holds them back
Solution - Child needs to learn to do their own thing
What does the unstable use of the sonnet form reflect in “mother any distance”
The unstable nature of their relationship. The sonnet reflects their love for their mother, but the unstable way it is follows, shows the changing nature of their relationship
What does the direct address to the mother in “mother any distance” suggest
The speakers way of telling their mother they still love them.
What can be said about the no clear structure in “mother any distance”
Everything is uncertain and unpredictable about their future
What is the name for punctuation midline and where is this seen in “mother any distance”. What does this technique suggest, and what does it contrast.
a Caesura is seen in the line “Anchor. Kite.”
This contrasts the previous enjambment, which is what the speaker wants, to be free from constraint. The caesar, reflects the stable control that a mother brings to a child’s life.
What can be said about the quote, “to fall or fly” (focus - form and structure)
Breaks the sonnet structure, and because it is such a short line, makes the rhyme feel forced, which highlights the importance of this line. This is the child admitting that they might not manage the independance.
What childish imagery is used in mother any distance, and what could this convey
“acre’ - hyperbole, which feels like a childish thing to do
“span” - used to measure things in primary school
“base” - like children playing tag
This could be seen as evidence that the child is not ready for independance,
OR
could be the child reminding the mother of the past experiences that they shared, telling her that she needs to trust him
What does the “measuring tape” metaphor show in “mother any distance”
The measuring tape is much like an umbilical cord, which connects the mother and the child.
What does the phrase “zero end” suggest
Could represent the moment in the womb, showing that the mother and child have been connected since conception, and this is a monumental moment for the both of them
What does the phrase “I space walk through the empty bedrooms tell us”
The mother and child are deeply connected, and the search for independence is much like space exploration. Dangerous, but exiting.
What bird imagery is used in “mother any distance”
“to fall or fly” - short and blunt - the speaker knows this is a serious moment, and it is a risk - like a bird jumping out of its nest, to learn to fly
