Mrs Midas quotes

Question 1

By referring to at least two examples, analyse how the poet’s use of language conveys
Mrs Midas’ difficult situation.

Answer 1

‘And who…’ use of question/direct address to the reader creates empathy for Mrs Midas’ position due to her husband’s actions
* ‘heart of gold’ imagery usually associated with kindness/compassion is used ironically to show the reality/impossible nature of her situation
* ‘perfect ore limbs’ irony suggests the futility of her dreams for a child
* ‘precious’ suggests (their child would have been) adored/loved/cherished but she has now lost this chance of happiness
* ‘amber eyes’ disturbing image suggests lifelessness conveying that even in her dreams the consequences of Midas’ actions are ever present
* List ‘ore limbs, little tongue, amber eyes’ mix of positive and disturbing images emphasises she has longed for a child but is now haunted by/fearful of the consequences of Midas’ actions
* ‘flies’ suggests the death of her dream of bearing their child
* ‘dream milk’ suggests her anguish at the realisation that she will
never bear his child
* ‘burned in my breasts’ suggest her longing for a child was painful
* ‘I woke…’ blunt statement suggests a rude awakening to the
reality of her life

Question 2

What does the use of ‘And who…’ by Mrs Midas create for the reader?

Answer 2

‘And who…’ use of question/direct address to the reader creates empathy for Mrs Midas’ position due to her husband’s actions

Question 3

‘heart of gold’ what does this suggest?

Answer 3

‘heart of gold’ imagery usually associated with kindness/compassion is used ironically to show the reality/impossible nature of her situation

Question 4

‘perfect ore limbs’ what does this suggest?

Answer 4

‘perfect ore limbs’ irony suggests the futility of her dreams for a child

Question 5

‘precious’ what does this word choice suggest about the baby

Answer 5

‘precious’ suggests (their child would have been) adored/loved/cherished but she has now lost this chance of happiness

Question 6

‘amber eyes’ what does this description of her dream baby suggest?

Answer 6

‘amber eyes’ disturbing image suggests lifelessness conveying that even in her dreams the consequences of Midas’ actions are ever present

Question 7

‘dream milk’ What does this suggest?

Answer 7

‘dream milk’ suggests her anguish at the realisation that she will never bear his child.

Question 8

‘burned in my breasts’ What does this suggest

Answer 8

‘burned in my breasts’ suggest her longing for a child was painful

Question 9

‘So he had to move out.’ What feelings is Mrs Midas having?

Answer 9

‘So he had to move out.’ blunt/matter-of-fact statement suggests her angry dismissal of him due to his actions

Question 10

‘under cover of dark’ -What does this suggest about how Mrs Midas feels about her husband?

Answer 10

suggests her desire to keep him hidden from others

Question 11

‘He sat in the back.’ What does this suggest?

Answer 11

‘He sat in the back.’ suggests she does not want to be seen with him/can’t bear to be near him

Question 12

‘married the fool’ what does this suggest

Answer 12

‘married the fool’ suggests her humiliation at his greed / idiocy

Question 13

‘At first, I visited/odd times/parked the car a good way off’ What does this suggest?

Answer 13

‘At first, I visited/odd times/parked the car a good way off’
suggests she is gradually distancing herself from him

Question 14

‘golden trout’/‘beautiful lemon mistake’ What does this suggest

Answer 14

‘golden trout’/‘beautiful lemon mistake’ suggest attractive to look at but useless to him

Question 15

‘hare hung from a larch/next to the river’s path’ What does this suggest?

Answer 15

‘hare hung from a larch/next to the river’s path’ suggest he is living in the wilderness/isolated

Question 16

‘thin’ What does this suggest about Mr Midas?

Answer 16

‘thin’ suggests malnourishment/ill health

Question 17

‘delirious’ What does this suggest about Mr Midas?

Answer 17

‘delirious’ suggests he has deteriorated mentally

Question 18

‘hearing…music of Pan’ What does this suggest about Mr Midas?

Answer 18

‘hearing…music of Pan’ allusion to god of shepherds and flocks
suggests he is now part of the wilderness/he no longer lives in reality/amongst others

Question 19

‘That was the last straw’ What does this suggest about how Mrs Midas feels about Mr Midas?

Answer 19

‘That was the last straw’ blunt statement shows she has lost all respect for him/run out of patience

Question 20

‘lack of thought for me’ What does this suggest about how Mrs Midas feels about Mr Midas?

Answer 20

‘lack of thought for me’ suggests she is resentful of the position in which he has placed her

Question 21

‘Pure selfishness.’ What does this suggest about how Mrs Midas feels about Mr Midas?

Answer 21

‘Pure selfishness.’ conveys her bitterness about his disregard for her feelings

Question 22

‘I think of him in certain lights’ What does this suggest about how Mrs Midas feels about Mr Midas?

Answer 22

‘I think of him in certain lights’ suggests that, at times, she still dwells on what she/they have lost

Question 23

“his hands, his warm hands on my skin, his touch.” What does this list suggest?

Answer 23

list/repetition of ‘his hands…his touch’ suggests she still mourns for the loss of their once full relationship