The Way My Mother Speaks Flashcards
“I say her phrases to myself”
Narrative Voice; ‘her’ refers to the speakers mother
Narrative Voice; ‘I’ Duffy writes in the first person and the reader is immediately drawn into her personal thoughts and feelings
“in my head”
Word Choice; has connotations of private thoughts and suggests the speaker’s relationship with her mother is personal to her. Could also refer to her mental health/state of mind
“under the shallows of my breath”
Metaphor- Just as something shallow is not very deep so too is Duffy unable to keep her anxiety hidden from those around her.
The speaker has to be secretive to fit into England, which suggests her feelings of confusion surrounding her identity.
The speaker repeats her mothers words to comfort herself and regulate her shallow breathing
“restful shapes moving”
Metaphor; a literal reference to the scenery moving as the train moves.
A metaphorical reference to the confusion in her mind as she struggles with her loss of identity and anxious thoughts. (PARADOX- ‘restful’ and ‘moving’)
“The day and ever. The day and ever”
“The day and ever” Narrative voice; this is the speaker repeating the mother’s words.
Nostalgic- a voice from the past and from home
“ever.” Word choice has connotations of permanency and suggests her mother will always be with her
“browsing for the right sky, too blue swapped for a cool grey.”
Word choice ‘browsing’ has connotations of looking and suggests that the train hasn’t quite decided where it is going.
The speaker is unsure of her destination
The fact that she is still trying to find “the right sky” implies that she is yet to find a way of life that suits her
‘blue’ word choice has connotations of sun, warmth, comfort and happiness
She feels content when she is home, ‘cool grey’ has connotations of misery and cold, uncertainty and this reflects how she feels about adult life
“What like is like.”
Sentence Structure; repetition is used to highlight the lasting effect of the mothers words and how they repeat in the speakers mind
“Nothing is silent. Nothing is not silent.”
Word Choice; repetition of “nothing” connotes a lack of something and suggests the speaker feels that moving/growing up means losing part of yourself
The double negative in the second implies that, what doesn’t exist in the here and now (your memories, your past) still has a voice in your head. It still has influence
“only tonight”
Word Choice; has connotations of how things are at present
It suggests the speakers feelings fluctuate
“only” suggests this journey is a singular experience
“I am happy and sad”
Contrast: The paradox between ‘happy’ and ‘sad’ shows her confusion
“like a child”
Simile: Just as a child is young and naïve so too is the speaker feelings unsure as she approaches adulthood
“Who stood at the end of summer”
Symbolism of ‘end of summer’ nuggets a time of change, growing up and moving up
“dipped a net”
Word choice; ‘dipped’ has connotations of testing the waters and suggests a tentative cautious approach
“in a green, erotic pond”
Metaphor - Just as erotic suggest sexual feelings so too is the speaker experience their emerging sexuality as they grow up
Word Choice; ‘pond’ suggests new depths to explore, new experience and excitement
“The day and ever. The day and ever.”
Repetition emphasises the continuing journey and permanent change
Relates to Stanza 1 and the mothers phrases
