The Emigrée

Question 1

Quote 1 “They accuse me of being dark in their free city”

Answer 1

“They” pronoun shows she feels detached from the new city as though she doesn’t belong
anaphoric repetition emphasises the separation and seems violent
first person account is emotive
“dark” light symbolism implies potential racism and that she feels untrusted and contrasts previous light symbolism
links to themes of light and shade and displacement
“free” juxtaposes and implies freedom is an illusion
link to author being born in London but living in Belfast, Wales and travelling throughout eastern Europe
free verse with no rhyme or rhythm - lack of stable government

Question 2

Quote 2 “like a hollow doll”

Answer 2

negative imagery
simile “hollow” symbolises lack of belonging and shows she feels empty and has lost her heart and soul (unsettling) and is putting on a façade of perfection.
links to themes of childhood and adulthood (extended metaphor)
enjambment shows her feeling of entrapment in the new city, contrasting the freedom in the old city

Question 3

Quote 3 “bright, filled paperweight”

Answer 3

light symbolism of “bright” shows her positive memories and devotion to her old city - romanticised perspective
“filled” metaphor shows she feels fulfilled and implies stability and hope
“paperweight” belonging and security which is permanent (could link to childhood)
could also imply she was too reliant on her old city
collection on Russia and Europe’s politics (‘Thinking of skins’ 1993) - identity and culture
caesura and free verse imply desire for freedom
links to how she uses subjunctive case when discussing old city’s flaws
epistrophe of ‘sunlight’ shows positive attitude towards city