Remembrance (for Paul) Flashcards
(Women´s attitudes towards men)
Presents an…
intimate and sexual relationship between both individuals
4 Big Ideas
- Speaker professes her enduring love for her partner
- Romantic and passionate poem
- Encompasses the passion / admiration that may derive from a relationship
- Although relationships may bring happiness, and an other-worldly experience, this may not be the case for some people
“Your hands easy / weight”
Physical connection
“Your”
The possessive pronoun, highlights the speaker´s unique quality
“Easy”
The adjective portrays the tactile of the hands to be pleasurable. Speaker suggests that there is a natural harmony between them
“Easy weight”
Soft and light connotations. Alludes to a new born baby. Perhaps this symbolises the innocence and purity within their relationship
“teasing the bees / hived in my hair”
Metaphor and imagery connote the playful interaction of the lover´s hands in the speaker´s hair
“Hived”
The verb produces tension as the imagery is of entrapment. Perhaps this re-enforces the speaker´s unspoken restlessness in the lover´s presence.
The adjective, “Teasing”, creates a sensual atmosphere that may….
highlight the speaker´s care-free relationship
“Hair”
(+ links to other poems)
Beauty found in identity is a key feature in Angelou´s writing. Potentially, it may reference African American culture.
This is reflected in Angelou´s notorious poems, “Phenomenal Woman”, and “Still I Rise”.
Deeper analysis - “Bees”….In isolation, “bees”, usually obtain….
(+ reference to the diphthongs in the line)
connotations of fear and danger. However, the effect of the lover “teasing” them, implies that he has tamed them and is light-heartedly playing with them. This portrays the man as generous with good intentions. However, due to the diphthongs symbolising unease, the lover may come across as a potential threat to the speaker.
Universal message “Bees”
Lover´s can pose as a threat, just as much as they are a blessing
“Your smile at the / slope of my cheek”
The metaphor portrays the unity between the speaker and the lover.
“Smile” and “Slope” create imagery that produces parallelism between the speaker´s physical attributes to the speaker´s. These mutual feelings….
convey the deep connection, admiration, and the devotion they have to one another
“You press above me, glowing, spouting / readiness”
Metaphor and imagery portray the dominance and superiority of the lover in the relationship.
