Mother any distance

Question 1

What does the extended metaphor of the tape measure show?

Answer 1

It shows the connection between the mother and son. It’s like an umbilical cord and represents their unbreakable bond.

Question 2

What does the structure of the sonnet form but adding an extra half line suggest?

Answer 2

It suggests this is about a different more long-term love than romantic love

Question 3

How is hyperbole used in the poem?

Answer 3

Hyperbole used to describe the house “acres” and “prairies”. This has connotations of childish adventure and exploration. It could also suggest fear about the unknown future.

Question 4

“a second pair of hands.”

Answer 4

mother is introduced as a helping hand

Question 5

“the acres of the walls, the prairies of the floors.”

Answer 5

-metaphor
-shows how uncharted the new space seems.

Question 6

“you at the zero end.”

Answer 6

-stability
-safety
-she’s the foundation/beginning emphasized further in “back to base”.

Question 7

“I space-walk.”

Answer 7

-metaphor
-suggests the mother is the protector of him.
He’s exploring the rooms.

Question 8

“your fingertips still pinch.”

Answer 8

-she’s still holding on which suggests the mum is always there for him which shows stablility and support.

Question 9

“endless sky to fall or to fly.”

Answer 9

-enjambement
“endless sky” suggests endless opportunities he has which shows hope.
“to fall or to fly” are modal verbs and its the final half line which is separated from the main sentence and suggests the point where he moves out on his own and is in charge of his own destiny.

Question 10

What can this poem be compared to?

Answer 10

-walking away
-follower
-climbing my grandfather
-before you were mine