Night Windows Flashcards
What is voyeurism?
Satisfaction of looking at the naked body.
What symbolises a shift in dynamic?
It is her physically on top of him, symbolising the shift in dynamic between the lovers – ‘you lowered yourself to me’.
What is the significance of ‘you rose from me / and walked into the lit hallway, / trailing the dress of your shadow behind you’?
Neither partner has been sexually satisfied by the encounter – he was distracted and she feels the need to leave immediately afterwards.
How does this poem compare to ‘Wake’?
A depiction of death’s imminence is realised before the actual death of a human being. A similar effect is produced here with the realisation that this relationship is not long for this world.
How does the shift in seasons link to ‘Winter Swans’?
In the colder months we are motivated by romance, whereas the warmer times of the year are more carnal and lust-fuelled if we are to take on board the image of a ‘mating season’.
Describe the use of the tercet at the end.
The tercet changes the mood - the poem ends with female dominance.
