Mother, Any Distance

Question 1

What type of poem is it?

Answer 1

Familial

Question 2

What are the key themes?

Answer 2

1. Independence
2. Growing up
3. Distance
4. Parent-child relationship

Question 3

Quotes for independence?

Answer 3

“Open hatch”
“Endless sky”

“Space walk” - dangerous, line connects to life

Question 4

Quotes for growing up?

Answer 4

“I reach / towards a hatch that opens on an endless sky / to fall or fly.” - dangerous, unpredictable

“The line still feeding out, unreeling / years between us. Anchor. Kite.” - dramatic effect, they’re still connected after so many years, anchor is mum = (metaphor), she is keeping child grounded

Question 5

Quotes for distance?

Answer 5

“You at the zero-end, me with the spool of tape” - from begging of life, symbolises umbilical cord

Question 6

Quotes for parent-child relationship?

Answer 6

“Still pinching” - letting go is difficult, doesn’t want to do it, hanging on to ends of fingers symbol of the struggle to stay close

“Requires a second pair of hands” - relationship is important, things that aren’t possible for one can be done by two

Question 7

What can it be compared with?

Answer 7

Walking away - explore letting go of child into adulthood, caesura used to distinguish past and present, direct address

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