The Emigree Flashcards
Context
Millions of people have been displaced as their motherland is a warzone. Families leave due to political corruption and oppressive dictatorship and people choose to immigrate to other countries, often in the west, in search for a better, safer life. Unfortunately some feel unwelcome in their new location and the country they came from
Plot
The poem is written from the perspective of a person remembering childhood memories of their motherland. The country faced militant rebellion which is why she had to leave. She faces inner conflict as she compares her young positive memories with her adult understanding. As the poem develops, there is a transition in maturity from youth to adulthood
Form
Enjambment
Motif of sunlight
Ellipsis and caesura
Structure
3 Stanzas
2 8 line ad 1 9 line stanza
Tone
Cheerful
Fear
Melancholy
Disappointment
Theme
Power of humans
Power of memory
War
Identity
Childhood
Racism
Key quote-“There was once a country…I left it as a child but my memory of it is sunlight clear”
The ellipsis uses caesura to show the speaker reflect on the county. It could also show the unreliability of memory as she pauses to gather her thoughts. The fact that the country and speaker has no identity suggests that it represents many people and countries. A fantastical tone also shows that the place she is describing is more of a memory romanticised by youth than reality. Nostalgic view It was never as perfect as it is depicted. Similar to the memory of those who had to leave their countries due to corruption and war.
Key quote-“It may be at war, It may be sick with tyrants, but i am branded by an impression of sunlight”
Refers to how whatever may be happening in her country, The “sunlight” in her mind cannot be deleted by any means, described by the powerful adverb “Branded”. Her mind, soul and identity all exist in that country and city and so her memory is hued by nostalgia. Rumens contrasts the negative “war” and “tyrants” with a positive branding by “sunlight” which shows that no matter what, her identity lies within the reminiscence of her motherland; similar to the many that leave their corrupt societies that they have nothing but good memories from
Key Quote-“My city hides behind me”
Suggests that the writer defends her memory of the city from what others say about it. She has the power to remember what she wants to which shapes her unique identity. She is going to make no changes to her beliefs, identity or memory of the city, despite what people try to say to taint it. Refers to the defence people from corrupt, oppressive countries try to put up when the media talks negatively about their seemingly perfect country
Can compare to…
Kamikaze-Both are about outcasts
Poppies-Feelings of separation
Remains-Power of memory
London-Feelings towards a place
