Poetry of the Decade Quotes Flashcards
“My mother was the _______ queen.” (Material)
hanky
What technique is used in the quote “My mother was the hanky queen?” (Material)
metaphor
What is the significance of the metaphor used in “My mother was the hanky queen?” (Material)
The metaphor presents the mother as a down-to-earth admired figure.
“when _______ meant a thing of cloth not paper tissues bought in ______.” (Material)
hanky, packs
“late night __________ and _______.” (Material)
garages, shops
“things for waving out of ________.” (Material)
trains
How is the modern world presented in “paper tissues bought in packs from late night garages and shops, in comparison to when “hanky meant a thing of cloth…..but things for waving out of trains?” (Material)
The juxtaposition suggests that he modern world is presented as temporary, insignificant and generic, in contrast to the more romantic, meaningful past.
“spittled and _________ against my face.” (Material)
scrubbed
What technique is used in the quote “spittled and scrubbed against my face?” (Material)
sibilant verbs
How does the quote “spittled and scrubbed against my face,” present the mother as? (Material)
the sibilant verbs present the mother as practical and hands on
“as if she had a ______ up there.” (Material)
farm
What technique is used in the quote “as if she had a farm up there,” and what does this suggest about the mother? (Material)
the simile presents the mother as a nurturing and loving figure
“greengrocer _______ with his _______ foot.” (Material)
George, dodgy
“and the _________ butcher.” (Material)
friendly
“Mrs White….taught us…..from a _________ out of _____ piano.” (Material)
stumbling, tune, piano
What technique is used in the poem “Material” to describe the townspeople? (“greengrocer George,” “Mrs White.”) (Material)
proper nouns
What is the significance of proper nouns being used in the quotes “greengrocer George with his dodgy foot,” and “Mrs White.” (Material)
The names of places and people, make the past world seem more significance and personal and less generic. It is also an imperfect world which makes it seem more charming.
“Nostalgia only makes me ____.” (Material)
old
Why does the speaker suggest that “Nostalgia only makes me old?” (Material)
The speaker bluntly realises that romanticising the past is pointless as it leaves her in the past. She also accepts that she bears responsibility for these changed traditions.
“killed in TV ________.” (Material)
lassitude
“eat bought ________.” (Material)
biscuits
What is the significance of the speaker saying “killed in TV lassitude and it was me that turned it on….and eat bought biscuits?” (Material)
The speaker also bears responsibility for these changed traditions.
“There’s never a ________ up my sleeve.” (Material)
hanky
What does the quote “There’s never a hanky up my sleeve,” contrast? (Material)
It contrasts the quote “My mother was the hanky queen,” as the speaker accepts that she is a different type of mother in a different world.