Paul Durcan - Parents Flashcards
Sea metaphor quotes
“ a child’s face is a drowned face”
“ their big ears are fins behind glass”
“She is inside the sea / and they are outside the sea”.
What is the sea a symbol of
The child’s own world which she must navigate alone
Why is the child under the sea
She’s alone
She’s inside her own private world/ private life where he parents cannot protect her
Why are the parents outside of the sea
They’re looking anxiously over their child, but have no access to her life and cannot solve her problems
They’re fish out of water - unfamiliar with parenting
They have deep care for their child but are watching her life through a window without access
What’s bitter sweet about the lines “father, father mother mother”?
Bitter- child is calling for parents and parents have no way to help child
Sweet- child is calling for parents, she turn to them in times of need, knows they can help
But they don’t hear
Difference between above water and under water
Above water - choppy, wavey, dangerous, loud
Under- peaceful, quiet
How are the parents fish out of water? Q
Through the night stranded they stare
