The Way My Mother Speaks

Question 1

Technique in “I say her phrases to myself”

Answer 1

Personal pronoun

Question 2

Analysis of “I say her phrases to myself”

Answer 2

Denotation- Duffy thinks about her mothers language
Connotation- this suggests the personal possessiveness of the language and strong connection between mother a child.

Question 3

“In my head” technique

Answer 3

Word choice

Question 4

“In my head” analysis

Answer 4

The internalising of repeating her mothers phrases to herself. Importance is highlighted by it’s position and brevity. Isolation of time to reflect

Question 5

“Or under the shallows of my breath” technique

Answer 5

Word choice

Question 6

“
Or under the shallows of my breath” analysis?

Answer 6

“Shallows” water imagery links to final stanza. Water of how it’s ebbing and flowing is how her memories of her mothers phrases come and go. “Under…my breath” - suggests she can only say her phrases while she is on her own and this emphasises her strong connection between the mother and child.

Question 7

“Restful shapes moving” technique

Answer 7

Paradox and word choice

Question 8

“Restful shapes moving” analysis

Answer 8

Paradox of the words from “restful” and “moving”. Conflicting feelings for the writer. Since they are positive, comforting memories as they are “restful” yet as they are “moving” they are constantly drifting in and out of her mind. Shapes- vague but comforting.