The way my mother speaks

Question 1

‘Nothing is silent, Nothing is not silent’

Answer 1

• Use of repetition of the negative tone represents the speakers reluctance of leaving her past behind
• The sounds in her head are therefore silent, but not quite as she can hear them as if they were real
• Explores the theme of inner conflict as she leaves her past behind

Question 2

‘Shallows of my breath’

Answer 2

• Reminds the reader that the speaker longs to hear her mother voice but can only say them to herself
• This explores the theme of inner conflict as she is going through change moving to a new place which is scary
• She missed the comfort of her mother and feels lost and alone

Question 3

‘The way my mother speaks’

Answer 3

• Title of the poem evokes the antithesis of change.
• It conveys a sense of belonging to one family embodied with love in the character of her mother
• Inner conflict as the writer highlights in the title that she misses the presence of her mother and is struggling without her comfort