The Emigree Flashcards
What does the context of the text refer to?
Links to the modern day refugee crisis
The refugee crisis is a significant global issue affecting millions.
How is the structure of the narrative described?
There is no progression in the narrative to show that the narrator is stuck in the past
This suggests a theme of inability to move forward due to traumatic experiences.
What elements of language are highlighted in the text?
Sunlight, childlike lexis, discrimination
These elements can evoke contrasting emotions and themes within the narrative.
What is a key point regarding the portrayal of the war-torn country?
The bad aspects of the war torn country are overlooked to idealise it
This indicates a tendency to romanticize situations rather than acknowledge their realities.
What does the narrator believe about her memories of the country?
She believes the memories to be infallible
This suggests a strong emotional attachment to her past.
What current events does the narrator acknowledge about her homeland?
There are tyrants and wars throughout the land
This acknowledgment adds a layer of complexity to her memories.
How does the narrator present her perspective on her homeland?
She presents a positive perspective
This positivity contrasts with the harsh realities she recognizes.
What does the narrator gain over time regarding her understanding of her homeland?
More clarity on the situation
This suggests a maturation of her viewpoint.
Why is the narrator’s language significant?
It is important in terms of who she is
Language often shapes identity and cultural connection.
What feelings does the narrator express towards her city?
Maternal emotions
This indicates a deep, nurturing attachment to her city.
What does the narrator do in relation to her city in the present day?
She either returns to how the city is today or compares it to her new home
This reflects a juxtaposition of past and present experiences.
What kind of atmosphere does the narrator describe from the citizens of her homeland?
A threatening atmosphere
This contrasts sharply with her memories of positivity.
True or False: The narrator can return to her homeland.
False
The inability to return adds to her sense of loss.
What literary device creates a childlike tone in the poem?
Temporal deixis
Temporal deixis refers to words and phrases that relate to time, creating a sense of immediacy or nostalgia.
What theme is used to illustrate the narrator’s inability to move on from childhood?
Language
The theme of language reflects the narrator’s connection to her past and her childhood memories.
What does the poem allude to regarding man-made borders?
Pain and conflict
The poem suggests that borders can create emotional and physical divisions.
What imagery describes the narrator’s memories of her country?
Sunlight-clear
The phrase indicates a bright and vivid recollection of her homeland.
What is the narrator’s impression of her country despite its current state?
Bright, filled paperweight
This metaphor suggests that her memories remain intact and beautiful, regardless of the reality.
How does time affect the narrator’s memories of her city?
They glow even clearer
Time enhances her memories, making them more vivid despite the passage of years.
What metaphor is used to describe the narrator’s childhood vocabulary?
Hollow doll
The metaphor implies that her childhood language is empty yet carries significant meaning.
Fill in the blank: The narrator feels she has no _______ to return to her country.
Passport
This signifies her permanent separation from her homeland.
What does the narrator’s city do in her memory?
Takes her dancing
This imagery suggests a deep emotional connection and joy in her memories.
What do the accusations in the poem signify about the narrator’s experience?
Persecution
The accusations reflect the challenges and discrimination she faces in her new environment.
What recurring theme is emphasized through the imagery of sunlight?
Hope and nostalgia
Sunlight symbolizes the warmth of memories and the hope for a better connection to her past.
True or False: The poem presents a sense of belonging in the narrator’s new home.
False
The narrator feels alienated and accused in her new environment.
What does the phrase ‘my shadow falls as evidence of sunlight’ suggest?
Enduring connection to her past
The shadow symbolizes her presence and the lasting impact of her memories.
What tone is created by the repetition of ‘they’ in the text?
An aggressive and accusatory tone
This tone makes the city seem threatening and hostile.
What does the phrase ‘accuse me of being dark’ signify in the context of social dynamics?
Experiencing social rejection due to racism
It reflects the narrator’s feelings of not belonging.
What new threat does the narrator experience in the city?
Social rejection, rather than physical conflict
This shift signifies a deeper emotional struggle.
What does the narrator’s inability to return to her native country lead to?
A precarious position with no ‘sunlight’
This metaphor indicates a lack of hope or warmth.
How does Rumens emphasize the narrator’s feelings of segregation?
Through the repetition of ‘their city’ and ‘they accuse me of absence’
This repetition highlights the narrator’s sense of exclusion.
What literary technique does Rumens use in the last stanza to describe the narrator’s new city?
Enjambment
This separates ‘of walls’ from the rest of the text, isolating the concept.
What connotations does the word ‘walls’ create in the last stanza?
Entrapment
It suggests a feeling of being trapped in the new environment.
What poetic features are present in the final stanza, and what do they convey?
Caesura and free verse
They create a sense of chaos, which can also suggest freedom.
Fill in the blank: The repetition of ‘they’ creates an _______ tone.
[aggressive and accusatory]
True or False: The last stanza indicates a sense of freedom through the use of enjambment.
True
The chaotic structure can be interpreted in multiple ways.
What type of verse is predominantly used in the poem?
Free verse
Free verse is a form of poetry that does not adhere to a specific rhyme scheme or rhythm.
How might the form of the poem represent the state of the country?
Represents chaos and lack of control over a country with no stable government
This interpretation suggests a connection between the poem’s structure and the political situation.
What positive aspect does the form of the poem juxtapose with?
Positive imagery in the poem
The contrast highlights themes of freedom and resilience despite chaos.
What does the limited order in the poem suggest?
An attempt at order inflicted upon her life through her emigration
This reflects the struggle for stability in a new environment.
Fill in the blank: The poem’s form could more likely be presenting _______.
[freedom]
What is an epistrophe?
The repeated use of a word at the end of a stanza or sentence
In the poem, every stanza ends with a reference to sunlight.
How does the poet juxtapose the connotations of sunlight?
Positive connotations of ‘sunlight’ with negative connotations of ‘branded’
Example: ‘But I am branded by the impression of sunlight.’
What does the gustatory imagery ‘it tastes of sunlight’ imply?
A positive association with sunlight
This imagery reflects the speaker’s enduring love for her city.
What is demonstrated by the use of epistrophe in the poem?
The speaker’s positive view of her city despite negative news
The repetition emphasizes her unwavering affection.
What grammatical case is used to express hypothetical flaws in the speaker’s city?
Subjunctive case
Example: ‘it may be at war, it may be sick with tyrants.’
What does the definitive statement ‘they mutter death’ signify?
Tangible flaws of the speaker’s new city
This contrasts the hypothetical flaws of her former city.
What does the phrase ‘my city hides behind me’ suggest?
The speaker’s protective tendencies towards her city
This implies a maternal relationship with her city.
What is the extended metaphor in the poem?
A metaphor for a lost childhood
The narrator’s relationship with her city is depicted as maternal.
Fill in the blank: The speaker’s love for her country will always overrule any feelings of _______.
pain
True or False: The speaker views the flaws of her former city as definitive.
False
The flaws seem hypothetical due to her childhood perspective.
What does the speaker’s certainty about her new city’s flaws indicate?
Loss of childhood naivety
This reflects a change in perspective after leaving her former city.
