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.
“Glowing”
The adjective upholds positive, and enchanting connotations, which might convey the speaker´s spiritual awakening amongst the lover´s vibrant and lovely presence
“Press”
The verb, depicts the lover´s forceful physical actions upon the speaker. Which alongside the phrase “above me”…
Which alongside the phrase “above me”, the preposition, “above”, may represent the…
control the lover has, in contrast to the lack of power the speaker has. This portrays the superiority of the lover in the relationship -> Perhaps the speaker is feeling discomforted??
Context of “Above me”
- Male dominating society.
Men have the authority and influence so perhaps the speaker is dismissive to the lover´s forceful actions
The consecutive gerunds in “spouting” and “glowing” suggest…
The everlasting feelings that have derived from their interaction
The lover expresses his eagerness in the phrase,
“Spouting readiness”, where the vigorous approach may imply the speaker´s inferiority. Angelou implies the differences that may be drawn from being in a relationship
“…Mystery rapes / my reason”
The metaphor may serve as a cautionary tale, as Angelou speaks from personal experiences. She may be highlighting the severe consequences that may arise from a person´s uncertain decision into having a sexual relationship with someone.
At the end of the poem the speaker “Lingers” with the remains of their sexual interaction without feeling resentment. However, Angelou highlights to reader´s that this may not be the case for everyone.
The noun, “Mystery”, conveys the speaker´s…
experience to be inexplainable and enigmatic. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons as to why she is so fond of this memory
“Rapes”
Contextually, the verb may create a direct link to Angelou´s childhood trauma. This emotive and strong verb is unexpected and shocking for the reader, mirroring the speaker´s own disarray towards the end result of having sexual intercourse
“My reason”
Portrays the physical relationship as greatly affecting her rationale; this may be relatable for most readers.
“When you have withdrawn / your self and the magic”
The metaphor connotes the moment after the sexual interaction
The abstract noun, “Magic”, produces a lexical field of enchantment alongside “glowing” and “Mystery”. This conveys…
the interaction between the speaker and the lover as something supernatural and transcendent. Furthermore, as the “Magic” is only felt when he is near, we get an insight into the speaker´s reliance upon the speaker and how his presence in her life is similar to that of a gift and a blessing.
“Withdrawn”
The past participle verb highlights the speaker´s sadness in accepting that their moment together has ended. However, comfort is found in the “love [that] lingers”.
“Love lingers”
(talk about the pace)
The pace slows down, representing the speaker savouring the remains of their contact. -> The speaker is reluctant to leave
“Love lingers”
(talk about the liquid alliteration)
The liquid alliteration creates a sensual, soothing atmosphere.
“Then, only / Then”
Angelou suggests that the speaker can only relish the moment properly when it is over and there is a physical distance between them.
The caesura in “Then, only / then”
Speaker is relieved - taking in the overwhelming experience
The adverb, “Only”, is…
emphatic as it states the exclusivity and in the moment (?)
“[can] I greedily consume / your presence”
The last line of the poem conveys the desire and longing the speaker has to be in the lover´s distance
The adverb, “greedily”, increases the intensity in the poem as…
the speaker unveils her selfish desire to “consume [his] presence”
“Your presence” is symbolic as it…
conveys the significance he has in her life.
1st stanza represents / builds up to…
the moment before / of their physical interaction
2nd stanza conveys the feelings…
felt after their sexual moment
The stanzas decrease in length by a single line. This may symbolise…
the love, slowly fading away from her and gradually becoming more distant.
