My Polish Teacher's Tie - Helen Dunmore Flashcards
Context
Dunmore came from a large family who had a strong influence on her and her work, giving her access to multiple opinions/viewpoints.
‘I wear uniform, white cap with the school logo on it.’
This creates a visual hierarchy for the reader of the school.
‘He had a pile of papers in front of him.’
The head teacher is separated from the narrator by his papers. Metaphor: work creating a barrier/hierarchy.
‘He sees his staff together for ten minutes once a week.’
His staff meetings are unimportant, not long, not worthy of his time.
‘The head vanished into a knot of teachers.’
Uncomfortable image, showing the incompatibility of the narrator and her ‘superior’ colleagues.
‘He stitched a nice smile on his face.’
Metaphor for the Head’s controlled, manipulative manner.
‘er, Mrs, er - Carter. Is there a problem?’
Shows the narrators insignificance within the school as a caterer, the Head cannot remember her name, also showing his conceited manner.
‘it sang and sang until it died.’
The poem describes a bird, but acts as a metaphor for Carla speaking Polish before being stopped (dying) by her father.
‘The Head beamed at nobody.’
Metaphor: the Head doesn’t truly care, it is a facade.
‘Colleagues don’t wear blue overalls and white caps.’
Returns to the beginning, sort of circular structure. Shows it is a repeated idea in the narrator’s mind. Motif of hierarchy.
‘The next morning the buns were stale.’
Metaphor for her and Stefan’s relationship, as well as possibly her anxiety growing.
‘The Head was wagging a sheaf of papers in front of him, and talking very loudly, as if he was deaf.’
The Head is shown to be extremely obnoxious.
‘He was as tense as a guitar string.’
Simile - the narrator’s use of language improved throughout the text, representing the character development. Yet, it is still limited.
‘It went through me like a knife through butter.’
Simile - showing how deep within her the song is contained, cutting into her, exposing her true personality/background.
‘I knew it. I knew it. I knew.’
Rule of 3 / Repetition: showing the reader how content she is that she remembered it, what it meant to her.
