The Map Woman

Question 1

What is the main conceit of the poem?

Answer 1

A woman trying to escape her past viscerally detaches from the map on her skin.
-The map is linked to patriarchal oppression and colonialism
-Her past is linked to her identity and without it she is lost

Question 2

What are the main methods for the poem?

Answer 2

-Conceit of the map
-Intimate imagery of body parts
-Navigational imagery
-Disease imagery

Question 3

What quotes support the method of: conceit of the map?

Answer 3

‘precise second skin’
‘birthmark, tattoo’
‘when she knelt she felt her father’s house pressing into the bone’

Question 4

What quotes support the method of: intimate imagery of body parts?

Answer 4

‘breast’, ‘nipple’, ‘veins’ and ‘neck’
‘under the soft silk scarf at her throat’

Question 5

What quotes support the method of: navigational imagery?

Answer 5

‘the prison and hospital stamped on her back’

Question 6

What quotes support the method of: disease imagery?

Answer 6

‘tunnelled, burrowed, hunting for home

Question 7

What are the structural methods used in the Map woman?

Answer 7

-Strict 10 line stanzas reflect the restriction the Map Woman feels