English homework p2

Question 1

Metaphorical - “my mother tongue / in the back of my mouth”

Answer 1

This metaphor is used to describe how the mother tongue is a physical presence and symbolises a connection to identity and heritage

Question 2

Caesura - “It grows back, a stump of a shoot”

Answer 2

Caesura emphasises the slow incremental return of her mother tongue back to her.

Question 3

Repetition - “Rot and die in your mouth Until you had to spit it out.”

Answer 3

The words “spit” and “rot” are repeated as it emphasises the extreme nature of the act as the speaker has had to discard her mother tongue.

Question 4

Juxtaposition- “I have lost my tongue/but it grows back”

Answer 4

There is a contrast between “lost” and “grows back” highlights that there is tension between the loss and recovery of the mother tongue and means her mother tongue can return and it’s only broken temporarily.

Question 5

Imagery - “a stump of a shoot”

Answer 5

The imagery of a “stump of a shoot” creates a picture of the mother tongue trying to get pass impediments and grow back and this symbolises the speakers feelings of being drawn away from her language and cultural roots.