The Way My Mother Speaks Flashcards

1
Q

S1

“I say her phrases to myself”

A
  • ‘Her’ & ‘myself’ are possesive pronouns & connote personal, intimate.
  • Suggest a close connection
  • Internally, Duffy tries to reassure herself, thinking of her mother
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2
Q

S1

“Under the shallows of my breath”

A
  • Connotes anxiety/panic- she’s nervous on this journey, perhaps repeating phrases to comfort herself
  • Connotes water- represents soundwaves/speed merging with poet’s breathing. Suggests phrases integral to her existence

‘Shallows’

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3
Q

S1

“Restful shapes moving”

A
  • ‘Restful’ connotes calmness, suggesting mother’s words comforting
  • ‘Moving’ connotes change/adapting- speaker leaves home. Uses words to comfort herself
  • Oxymoreon reflects mixed emotions/ idea of things seeming unreal
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4
Q

S1

“The day and ever”
“The day and ever”

A
  • Repetition to soothe/calm herself
  • Rhythm mimics train’s
  • Repetitive rhythm comforts her
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5
Q

S2

“Slow evening”

A
  • ‘Slow’ connotes gradual, calming, unhurried. Creates reflective mood.
  • ‘Evening’ connotes darkness/ light disappearing. Metaphor for end of childhood. She’s gradually growing up- less dependent but still connected to mum
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6
Q

S2

“Goes down England”

A

Clear link to ‘Originally’- journey/emigration/moving from 1 country to another & refelcting on change

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7
Q

S2

“Browsing”

A

Connotes searching uncertainly & unfocusedly. She’s searching for something but what?

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8
Q

S2

“Blue”

A
  • Relates to sky. Connotes carefree, obsticleless- links to uncomplicated childhood
  • Also connotes sadness, melancholy- she feels down as her mum won’t be around much longer
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9
Q

S2

“Cool grey”

A
  • Suggests storm is coming.
  • Links to “In Mrs Tilsher’s class”.
  • Symbolizes problems she may face in the future
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10
Q

S2

“Miles”

A
  • Connotes distance, movement.
  • Suggests she has come a long way – both literally on the train and metaphorically – her emotional journey.
  • Her mother’s connection/ words/ memory has stayed with her.
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11
Q

S2

“What like is it?”
“What like is it?”

A
  • Use of italics indicates mum’s sayings
  • Repetition mimics train sounds & comfort
  • Structure (phrases separated by lines) represents growing distance between speaker & mum
  • Old Scots phrase- links to heritage (& “Originally”)
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12
Q

S2

“I think”

A
  • Her mum’s voice is in her head.
  • Represents their closeness.
  • Mum’s words are a part of her identity
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13
Q

S2

“Nothing is silent, nothing is not silent”

A
  • Contrast/structure/paradox
  • ‘Nothing’ implies/connotes isolation/aloneness
  • Her aloneness with the thoughts in her head is literally silent
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14
Q

S3

“Only tonight”

A

Suggest transition/journey is unique, not everyday experience

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15
Q

S3

“Happy & sad”

A
  • Contradiction shows emotionalcomplexity- optimism about growing up, anxiety over leaving childhood
  • Simplicity of langauge shows while emotions are complex, this is a universal experience
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16
Q

S3

“End of Summer”

A
  • Metaphor represents freedom, youth, fun, childhood
  • Symbolizes end of childhood. Looking forward to autumn, change, darkening nights, growing up
17
Q

S3

“Dipped her net”

A

Suggests cautious, uncertain movement. Uncertain about outcome & what adulthood will bring

18
Q

S3

“Green erotic pond”

A
  • Youthful image of child by frogpond.
  • Connotes naïve/life/nature/youth
  • ‘Erotic’ contradicts ‘green’. Connotes sexual awakening/excitement
  • Juxtaposition suggests she’s becoming an independent, sexual being & not a child
19
Q

S4

“The day and ever”
“The day and ever”

A

Confusion over transition from child- to adulthood causes her to return to her mum’s comforting words

20
Q

S4

“I am homesick”

A
  • Connotes dissatisfaction, fear, discontent.
  • She is nostalgic for her childhood, her mum and the comfort of her mother’s words.
21
Q

S4

“Free”

A
  • Connotes independence/ freedom.
  • She is liberated from her past.
  • She is ready to establish her new identity and travel further in her life.
22
Q

S4

“In love”

A
  • Enjambment makes us linger on the phrase “in love”
  • Uncertainty if she is in love with her new life and freedom OR if she is in love with her past, her childhood, her mother.
23
Q

S4

“With the way my mother speaks”

A
  • Final line then confirms she is has an eternal bond with her past.
  • On this slow evening, she is happy and comforted that her mother’s words come to her.
  • She is free but still connected to her family/ supported by her upbringing.