The Way My Mother Speaks

Question 1

I say her phrases to myself in my head 2

Answer 1

-her’ suggests that the words belong to her mother which is possessive.
-In my head suggests the language is internalised, emphasising the deep and close bond she has with her mum.

Question 2

or under the shallows of my breath 3

Answer 2

-Breathing short breaths.
-Reminded of water which isn’t deep.
-Suggests she is panicking.

Question 3

restful shapes moving 3

Answer 3

-Contradiction.
-Restful connotes not staying still yet moving connotes motion which suggests she feels that everything is going past her yet it is still at the same time.
-Emphasises her anxiety.

Question 4

The day and ever. The day and ever

Answer 4

• It suggests that the bond with her and her mum is with her forever which calms her as it is repeated.
  -Is a calming mantra that emphasises her feelings of loss.

Question 5

The train this slow evening goes down England 2

Answer 5

-slow connotes that she has time to reflect and think.
-Long journey relates to the journey she is facing in life.

Question 6

browsing for the right sky

Answer 6

-browsing connotes casually walking around which suggests she is trying to find a way of life that suits her.
-She is not stressed and fairly calm.

Question 7

too blue swapped for a cool grey 2

Answer 7

-Swapped suggests complete change emphasises the total difference.
-Blue connotes sunshine, happiness and youth yet cool grey connotes dull and mature ideas that life is darker once she is an adult.

Question 8

For miles I have been saying what like is it 2

Answer 8

-Idea that her phrases are repeated.
-Miles emphasises the time she has been saying the words, emphasising the bond.

Question 9

Nothing is silent. Nothing is not silent

Answer 9

-idea that there is never silence since she has an internal dialect.
-It is a double negative which emphasises the influence of the voice in her head.

Question 10

Only tonight 1

Answer 10

emphasises the idea of the transition, going from childhood to adulthood only happens once.

Question 11

I am happy and sad like a child who stood at the end of summer 3

Answer 11

-the connotation of happy is joy and delight yet sad connotes feeling upset.
-Idea that she is expressing contradictory emotions as she is upset about leaving her mum yet positive about the future.
-Just as a child feels mixed emotions at the end of summer so too is she feeling mixed about leaving home.

Question 12

and dipped a net in a green, erotic pond 1

Answer 12

-green connotes being naive, yet erotic holds sexual connotations suggesting a sexual awakening.

Question 13

I am homesick, free 2

Answer 13

-Homesick connotes she is yearning for home, free idea of liberation and independence.
-Contrasting emotions

Question 14

in love with the way my mother speaks

Answer 14

-love emphasises their bond.