To my nine year old self

Question 1

who wrote To my Nine-year-old self

Answer 1

Helen Dunmore

Question 2

what is the tone of this poem

Answer 2

Apologetic, Instructing, regretful, reminiscent

Question 3

Explain “You must forgive me”

Answer 3

1. The first line of the poem
2. Apologetic but forceful
3. Older self is seeking approval and forgiveness from younger self

Question 4

Explain “scars” and “scabs”

Answer 4

The younger self has no regard for the consequences “peeling a ripe scab” will have but the older self is apologetic for the scars that “spoiled” her body. Shows the differences between them.

Question 5

Explain “men in cars after girl-children”

Answer 5

The older self understands the danger but is no longer in it. The man is looking for “children” not adults and yet the older self misses a time in which she enjoyed the excitement of danger

Question 6

Explain the tone in stanza 3

Answer 6

Each line contradicts another, its a conflict between the younger and older self.

1. “White paper” can be a reference to writing the poem and writing a diary
2. “something came up” could reference the child getting bored and moving on to something more fun or the adult having responsibilities, bills, work that stop her achieving her childhood dreams