Mrs Midas Flashcards
It was late September.
‘September’ is a time associated with the golden colours of autumn. Also, symbolises things coming to an end.
Short sentence.
I’d just poured a glass of wine, begun to unwind while the vegetables cooked.
The language used to describe the scene reflects the mood of Mrs Midas as she ‘unwinds’. The relaxed, normality of the scene is emphasised.
The kitchen filled with the smell of itself, relaxed, its steamy breath gently blanching the windows.
The personification of kitchen creates a warm, appealing, atmosphere, it’s the heart of the home.
“blanching’ gently cooking/steaming the windows up - continues the calm, non-threatening atmosphere.
So I opened one, then with my fingers wiped the other’s glass like a brow.
The simile illustrates the cleaning of the window, but introduces the importance of the sense of touch to Mrs Midas - this is a caressing, caring touch. This foreshadows what comes later - the lack of intimacy.
He was standing under the pear tree snapping a twig.
The atmosphere is shattered by the final line - connotes something violent, destructive, suggests that the normality is about the be disrupted. Harsh consonant sounds in final phrase contrasts with softer consonant and vowel sound earlier in the stanza. He destroys what is natural, preferring the golden twig but it is useless - it will never grow anything.
Now the garden was long and the visibility poor,
‘Now to garden’ adapts a story telling style, which prepares us for the dramatic events later in the poem.
‘visibility poor’ emphasises Mrs M’s disbelief over what is happening by the length of time she take to comprehend what she is seeing. Sense of mystery, that she knows what she is about to tell will seem unlikely.
the way the dark of the ground seems to drain the light of the sky, but that twig in his hand was gold.
Personification, the increasing darkness sounds ominous and threatening. Reflects the idea of life being drained from something, of something greedy taking what does not belong to them.
And then he plucked a pear from a branch - we grew Fondante d’Automne -
‘And then’ increases the sense of drama as she continues her story.
The word choice of ‘plucked’ is a definite action and suggests he is in control. we become aware of his power, strength, and his enjoyment of it. His actions drive the story, as she watches and is passive.
‘Fondante d’Automne’ is a rich, sweet variety of pear. In its natural state, the pear is already rich. Reminds us what real wealth is - the gold pear is useless. Midas does not realise this. Male seen to be obsessed with his own power to think of the consequences. Translates to melting of autumn.
and it sat in his palm like a light bulb. On.
Emphasises his apparent control. Almost God-like, holding his creation in the palm of his hand. He enjoys his power and is totally preoccupied with it.
‘like a light bulb’ the simile refers t the shape of the pear, but seams natural - and perhaps symbolises Midas realising what he is capable of.
The minor sentence of ‘On.’ adds dramatic effect. turning a pear into a ‘lightbulb’ illustrate the extent of. his power, he can crate but also destroy.
I thought to myself, Is he putting fairy lights in the tree?
Question in last line again highlights Mrs M’s shock and disbelief. ‘Fairy lights’ suggests whimsicality, as if she does not understand the seriousness of what is happening. She is trying to make sense of what she sees.
He came into the house.
The name ‘Midas’ is not mentioned - perhaps reflecting the blame Mrs Midas puts on her husband for what he does.
The doorknobs gleamed.
He is turning everything around him to gold. Even the doorknobs and blinds, ordinary objects.
He drew the blinds.
The name ‘Midas’ is not mentioned - perhaps reflecting the blame Mrs Midas puts on her husband for what he does.
Suggests he wants privacy, ironic that touching them will reveal his presence.
You know the mind; I thought of the Field of the Cloth of Gold and of Miss Macready.
Allusion to celebration of royal power where Kings of England and France met to show off their great wealth. Suggestion that Midas is behaving in a self-important, kingly way. Defence to her teacher who made sense of things.
He sat in that chair like a king on a burnished throne.
The simile sums up his powerful posture. Highlights that he is not actually a king.
‘burnished’ suggests something polished, connotations absolute power and splendour, Reflects his greed and selfishness as swell as him contemplating what has happened.
The look on his face was strange, wild, vain.
Rule of three - builds a picture. The list moves from something unearthly, to uncontrollable, to a sense that he is relishing his power, obsessed with his own importance.
I said, What in the name of god is going on? He started to laugh.
The question again reflects Mrs Midas’ disbelief and alarm. Contrasted with ‘laugh’ its unnerving that he would laugh in the face of her panic. its suggests cruelty and lack of control, he has no understanding of the implications of his behaviour.
I served up the meal.
Comic effect – Mrs M continues to go about her domestic chores despite absurd situation. She attempts to assert herself in her nurturing, traditional role.
For starters, corn on the cob.
Within seconds he was spitting out the teeth of the rich.
‘Within seconds’ is dramatic – shows how quickly this has happened. Imminence of danger creates tension.
Appropriate choice of food – visually fitting. Horror of what is happening becomes apparent – Midas can’t even eat. Represents the fact that his greed and desire for wealth has brought him to this. Distasteful idea of having other people’s teeth in his mouth.
He toyed with his spoon, then mine, then with the knives, the forks.
The use of a list highlights how its one thing after another, reflects growing realisation of Mrs M.
He asked where was the wine.
This is a demanding command and crates the impression that he is spoilt.
I poured with a shaking hand, a fragrant, bone-dry white from Italy,
Word choice - further emphasises Mrs M’s anxiety over what is happening. She is terrified but attempting to act normally. Her actions are still reactions to his.
