to my nine year old self Flashcards
THEMES?
Childhood.
Pain and suffering.
Society.
Everyday life.
Feminine identity.
Legacy.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Dialogue between the poet and her childhood self.
She addresses directly the young girl she once was and although her younger self doesn’t speak - it’s her physical appearance which makes the most vivid impression on the reader.
STRUCTURE?
The strong structure shows how adult life is regimented and scheduled, as opposed to the life of a child who is free to do whatever they want.
Caesuras - back to reality - continues flowing.
“YOU MUST FORGIVE ME”
At the start of the poem, the older voice is cautious of the child and approaches carefully.
“TIGHTROPE”
Nouns.
Link to childhood.
Many risks are taken in childhood - no contemplation of safety (innocence).
USE OF ENJAMBEMENT?
Time passing - juxtaposing imagery as child is in the past.
“SLOWLY PEELING A RIPE SCAB FROM YOUR KNEE”
Savouring moments of her youth.
Adverb suggests being careful - yet macabre image (disturbing - death).
Loss of innocence (vulnerability now shown).
Less protected in adult life.
Protection given t her (scab), but she doesn’t need it then (so peels it off) - easier to heal in childhood - but now in adulthood, she has to be more careful.
WHAT DO THE ACTIVE VERBS DEMONSTRATE?
They demonstrate her confidence and energy, which contrast to her adult self and the physical frailties she now has.
BACK OR A BRUISED FOOT”
Her adult self and the physical frailties that she’s now subject to.
“I SHAN’T CLOUD YOUR MORNING. GOD KNOWS I HAVE FEARS ENOUGH FOR US BOTH”
She feels separate from her childhood self.
“YOU WOULD RATHER RUN THAN WALK, RATHER CLIMB THAN RUN / RATHER LEAP FROM A HEIGHT THAN ANYTHING”
Separation.
Trying to grow up too fast - regret and remorse now she is contemplating.
Carefree.
“WE ONCE SHARED”
Now detached herself - so much changes.
“WE’D JUMP STRAIGHT OUT OF THE GROUND FLOOR WINDOW”
Sense of urgency and excitement that is now long gone.
“WE HAD, NO DOUBT”
It’s now gone.
Knows her well.
Certainty.
“BUT SOMETHING ELSE CAME UP”
Non-specific - variety of things got in the way.
Typical of childhood - distractions you face.
Adulthood makes you more focused.
“HIDE DOWN SCARED LANES / FROM MEN IN CARS AFTER GIRL-CHILDREN”
Hint at sinister - only seen now older.
Reflection on memories.
Nostalgic.
“DEN BY THE CESSPIT”
Somewhere of choice.
As a child she was oblivious to the negatives - happily unaware.
Initially fantastic, then the more it’s contemplated the negativity creeps in. Innocence crushed by reality of adult life.
“FROM THAT TREE”
Tone of familiarity.
Knows what she’s saying.
Urbanisation destroyed childhood dreams and familiarities.
“FEARS ENOUGH FOR US BOTH”
Pre-empting and foreboding the future unhappiness she has.
More extent of worry and panic that clouds adult mind - replaces positivity and ability to be ignorant to problems.
Powerful.
