Mrs Midas Flashcards
“It was late September.”
Technique: Visual Imagery
The time of year when the colour gold appears naturally. This is also the time of year when things change and come to an end, much like what is about to happen to the Midas’ marriage.
“…It sat in his palm like a lightbulb. On.
I thought to myself, is he putting fairy lights in the tree? “
Technique: Simile
Describing the pear that Midas has picked and turned to gold. The delay and isolation of “on” emphasises the glow of gold. The lack of understanding from Mrs Midas adds comic value.
“He sat in that chair like a king on a burnished throne.
The look on his face was strange, wild, vain.”
Technique: Simile
The simile links with the original myth (king). His chair has been turned to gold.
The list of adjectives at the end emphasises his lack of understanding of the implications of his wish and the theme of greed/selfishness is explored.
“Within seconds he was spitting out the teeth of the rich.”
Technique: Metaphor
The metaphor links the corn kernels to gold teeth and is, perhaps, the first sign of the negative aspect of the gift (the violence of “spitting”) - he will no longer be able to eat. Comic effect of the hyperbole.
“He toyed with his spoon…”
Technique: Metaphor
“toyed” has connotations of playful. The suggestion is that the whole thing is just a game to Midas and he has not considered the true implications of what he has done. (theme - selfish)
“as he picked up the glass, goblet, golden chalice, drank.”
Technique: Alliteration
The repetition of the “g” (alliteration) emphasises the change from a normal glass to the golden chalice. “Chalice” has religious connotations of Jesus at the last supper - this is his last supper. “Chalice” also reminds us of the idea of a poison chalice; his gift will be deadly to his health.
“I made him sit
on the other side of the room and keep his hands to himself.”
Technique: Enjambment
Enjambment delays the reason and adds comic effect. The tone begins to change as she starts taking precautions against being turned to gold.
“The toilet I didn’t mind”
Technique: Comic Effect
Comic effect: the toilet is sometimes referred to as the throne. Light-hearted tone contrasts with serious nature of what is happening.
“Look, we all have wishes; granted.
But who has wishes granted?”
Technique: Enjambment
Deliberate pause created by enjambment to emphasise the unlikely event. Also the pun on “granted” and balanced structure emphasises the comic tone of annoyance at her husband because of his lack of thought for her (selfish).
“Separate beds.”
Technique: Minor Sentence
Abrupt minor sentence signals the change in tone. Mrs Midas becomes increasingly fearful of her husband.
“He was below, turning the spare room
into the tomb of Tutankhamun”
“below” suggests widening gap in their relationship. “tomb” hints at the dire consequences of his gift. “Tutankhamun” a famous Egyptian king who was buried (as was the custom) with all his golden wealth. This line can be taken literally and metaphorically. It hints at the fact that Midas has sealed his fate.
“…unwrapping each other, rapidly,
like presents, fast food. But now I feared his honeyed embrace,
the kiss that would turn my lips into a work of art.”
Technique: Simile
The simile suggests passion and excitement: how their relationship used to be. There is a tone of regret that this is now no longer possible with explores the themes of loss/regret/selfishness.
The passion and love has been replaced by fear.
“work of art” the metaphor reminds us that his kiss would be a kiss of death; even though she would be very valuable, she would be of no use (and dead!) - his kiss no longer holds any emotional value for her.
“heart of gold”
Technique: Metaphor
The metaphor has been ironically inverted: the literal meaning of this is impossible. A heart of gold is, metaphorically, a good thing but here it only brings death.
“…its little tongue
like a precious latch, its amber eyes
holding their pupils like flies.”
Technique: Simile
The gruesome dream is very disturbing. The child she dreams of bearing, instead of a symbol of new life, becomes a symbol of death (flies), unable to speak. It also reminds us that bearing his child can only be a dream now.
“So he had to move out.”
Blunt statement creates a very matter-of-fact tone; this sets the tone of the final section which explores the tragic consequences of the gift and is devoid of the ironic humour found in the earlier section.
