Mother, Any Distance

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

Poem comes from collection of poems called ‘book of matches’ called this because poetry intended each poem to be read in time it takes for match to burn often writes about complex emotions using everyday events

Question 2

Title

Answer 2

Poem originally untitled
Given title comes from first few lines adds to ambiguity readers task to decide on overall message and theme

Question 3

Stanza 1

Answer 3

Addressed directly to mother using formal term address indicated he’s ready to move into adulthood
Immediately contrasts when he needs a ‘second pair of hands’
Hyperbole used to describe new house ‘acres’ ‘prairies’ connotations of childhood adventure and exploration, uncharted territory also suggests some amount of fear and trepidation about unknown future

Question 4

Stanza 2

Answer 4

Mother at the ‘zero end’ she’s at fixed point whereas he’s moving away beginning of imagery that he’s attached, tethered to her. He has to report ‘back to base’ with ‘line still feeding out’ attachment is reminiscent of an umbilical cord- deep connection
As he moved away he’s aware of distance ‘unreeling years between us’ leaves him anxious and excited

Question 5

Stanza 2 continue

Answer 5

Enjambment of stanza 1 and 2 contrasts caesura of two juxtaposed images ‘anchor’ ‘kite’ she’s anchor he’s kite she’s pulling him back but kite suggests joyous feelings of freedom, only enjoyed if attached to string

Question 6

Stanza 3

Answer 6

Image of ‘space walking’ continues theme of exploration and freedom also shows how independence is scary and you receive new discoveries
Reaches for ‘endless sky’ poem ends ambiguously leaving question of whether he’ll ‘fall’ or ‘fly’

Question 7

Structure

Answer 7

Rhyme scheme- shift in rhyme scheme represents growing distance between mother and speaker even though they’re distances there’s a connection (internal rhyme in stanza 3)
Semantic field of space- conveys sense of fear unknown space excitement of exploration