Mother Any Distance Flashcards
Who wrote mother any distance
Simon armitage
What is the title of the collection that the poem comes from?
‘Book of Matches’
The collection consists of poems intended to be read quickly, similar to the time it takes for a match to burn.
What is the intended reading duration for each poem in the ‘Book of Matches’?
The time it took a match to burn
This concept emphasizes brevity and immediacy in poetry.
What literary technique does the poet often use in his work?
Everyday events to explore complex emotions
This technique allows for relatable themes that resonate on deeper emotional levels.
True or False: The poems in ‘Book of Matches’ are intended to be lengthy and complex.
False
The poems are designed for quick reading and simplicity.
What is the main subject of the poem?
A son moving into his own home and his mother helping him measure the new place
This situation prompts reflections on their relationship.
What emotions does the son experience about his new independence?
Excitement and anxiety
These mixed feelings highlight the complexity of growing up.
What does the title of the poem suggest?
It reflects the growing distance between mother and son as he becomes more independent
The title symbolizes the transition in their relationship.
List the key themes of the poem.
- Family
- Letting Go
- Love
- Childhood
These themes explore the dynamics of parental relationships.
Fill in the blank: The poem explores the themes of ______.
[Family, Letting Go, Love, Childhood]
True or False: The poem only focuses on the son’s excitement about independence.
False
The poem also addresses his anxiety about the change.
What role does the mother play in the poem?
She helps the son measure the new home, symbolizing support and guidance
This act represents her ongoing presence in his life.
What reflection does the son have while measuring the new place?
He reflects on how his mother has always been there for him
This reflection emphasizes the bond they share.
What poetic form is the poem loosely based on?
Sonnet
The sonnet is typically a form of love poetry.
What does the sonnet form emphasize in the poem?
The son’s love for his mother
How is the structure of the poem divided?
Roughly into an octave and a sestet
What is the significance of the volta in line 9?
The son begins to feel more excited about the move
What could the irregular rhyme scheme reflect about the relationship?
The relationship is a little uncertain
What does the additional line 15 imply about the relationship?
It is about to reach a breaking point
What does the final rhyming couplet suggest about their relationship?
It will continue to be close despite its changing nature
How does the son address his mother throughout the poem?
Directly
What is the focus of the first stanza?
The son’s need for his mother
What does the second stanza explore?
The son’s independence
What uncertainty is expressed at the end of the second stanza?
Where he will ‘fall or fly’
What metaphors does the poet use to explore the stage of life?
Metaphors relating to flight
These metaphors include spacewalking, back to base, and the kite.
What do the metaphors of ‘spacewalking’, ‘back to base’, and ‘kite’ reflect?
Excitement and adventure
They signify the thrill of exploration and the dynamics of the relationship.
What image represents the connection between mother and son?
‘Spool of tape’
This image symbolizes the bond similar to that of an umbilical cord.
How is the mother characterized in the imagery?
As the ‘anchor’
This suggests she provides security to her son.
How is the son characterized in the imagery?
As the ‘kite’
This indicates a sense of freedom and potential for flight.
What does the phrase ‘edges towards a hatch’ signify?
Preparation to leave the nest
This implies a transition point in the son’s life.
Fill in the blank: The metaphor of the mother as the ‘anchor’ suggests that she keeps the son ______.
secure
True or False: The poet uses flight metaphors to illustrate stability in the relationship.
False
The metaphors indicate change and the potential for independence.
What does the formal direct address in the analysis suggest?
The support of his mother is still important to him
This indicates an ongoing emotional connection.
What is implied by the metaphorical space describing vastness?
It hints at excitement but also being daunted by it
This duality reflects the complexity of growing up.
What does the phrase ‘any distance greater than a single span’ imply?
It requires a second pair of hands
Suggests the need for support and guidance.
What does the reference to measuring windows, pelmets, and doors signify?
A lifelong support from the mother
Indicates a nurturing role throughout childhood.
What do the ‘acres of the walls’ and ‘prairies of the floors’ symbolize?
A sense of vastness and exploration
Evokes feelings of both comfort and challenge.
What does half-rhyme in the analysis reflect?
The start of distance between them
Highlights the shift in their relationship.
What does enjambment in the text reflect?
Moving into a new phase in their relationship
Indicates a transition and progression.
What does the metaphor of ‘anchor’ and ‘kite’ signify?
His mother is his anchor while he feels like a kite
Represents stability versus freedom in their relationship.
What does the phrase ‘space-walk through the empty bedrooms’ suggest?
A sense of exploration and vulnerability
Reflects the feelings of moving into independence.
What does the ladder to the loft symbolize?
A critical point where the relationship has to change
Represents a transition from childhood to adulthood.
What does ‘two floors below your fingertips still pinch’ imply?
The mother still holds onto him
Suggests a protective instinct despite his growth.
What does bird imagery in the analysis highlight?
His uncertainty about being successful on his own
Reflects feelings of both hope and fear.
What does the phrase ‘the last one-hundredth of an inch’ signify?
A moment of reaching for independence
Indicates the tension between holding on and letting go.
What does ‘a hatch that opens on an endless sky’ symbolize?
No limit to the possibilities
Represents freedom and potential for the future.
What emotional themes are present in the relationship described?
- Support
- Independence
- Transition
- Anxiety
- Excitement
These themes reflect the complexity of growing up and the parent-child dynamic.
What is a sonnet?
A poetic form consisting of 14 lines, typically with a specific rhyme scheme.
Sonnets often explore themes of love, nature, or philosophical ideas.
Define ‘volta’ in poetry.
A turn or shift in thought or argument within a poem, often found in sonnets.
The volta typically occurs between the octave and the sestet.
What is the structure of an octave in poetry?
The first eight lines of a sonnet, usually presenting a problem or situation.
Octaves often follow the ABBAABBA rhyme scheme.
What is a sestet?
The final six lines of a sonnet, typically providing a resolution or reflection on the octave.
Sestets can have various rhyme schemes, such as CDCDCD or CDECDE.
What is an irregular rhyme scheme?
A rhyme pattern that does not follow a consistent or traditional format.
This can create a sense of unpredictability and enhance emotional impact.
Define ‘rhyming couplet’.
Two consecutive lines of poetry that rhyme with each other.
Rhyming couplets often conclude a poem or section of a poem.
What is caesura?
A pause or break within a line of poetry, often used for dramatic effect.
Caesura can occur in the middle of a line and is usually indicated by punctuation.
What is imagery in poetry?
Descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures.
Imagery can enhance the emotional experience of a poem.
What are metaphors?
Figures of speech that compare two unlike things without using ‘like’ or ‘as’.
Metaphors help convey deeper meanings and emotions.
Fill in the blank: Useful vocabulary to use when analysing this poem includes _______.
Evolving, trepidation, anxiety, independence, excitement, fear, bond, appreciation, connection.
Name two poems that explore changing relationships over time.
Walking Away and Follower.
These poems illustrate the complexities of evolving relationships.
What is the presentation of a mother in the poem ‘Before you Were Mine’?
A nuanced portrayal of a mother’s identity and sacrifices before becoming a parent.
The poem reflects on themes of nostalgia and loss of independence.
