My rival’s house Flashcards
(34 cards)
“My rivals house”
title of the poem but also opening line, the word choice of ‘rival’ immediately introduces the idea of conflict
“peopled with many surfaces”
meaning populated/made up of. instead of people, the house is made up of objects and furniture. Suggests rival is more concerned for objects than people.
“ormolu and gilt”
word choice, bronze covered gold and gold covering that looks expensive but is actually cheap, symbolises falseness
“slipper satin” and “lush velvet couches”
heavy and stuff material, shiny on one side and dull on the other, represents the idea of someone being two sided and fake.
Repeated ‘s’ sound - sounds like the speaker is spitting; conveys her frustration.
“stiff”
highlights the lack of comfort and welcome even though the surface appears to be just that
“distortions”
something dark lurking beneath the surface, all is not what it seems, no reality to the house; when you look in a reflective object you expect to see reality but here it is distorted
“our shoes off at her door”
discomfort, the owner takes pride and care of the home
“shuffle stocking-toed”
sibilance addresses a serpent-like quality to the rival and how quiet and respectful the speaker feels she needs to be in this house., word choice (shuffle) suggests clumsiness and discomfort
“protected”
idea of protecting seems to be not using, same applies to the son; he is being protected by not welcoming the girls he brings home, introduces the obsessive trait of the rival, ambiguous surface relationship is superficial. She will protect her home and possessions at all cost.
“dust cover”
reference to age, dust cover used to protect furniture
“won’t let the surface colour fade”
treatment of the house establishes a sense of the rival’s personality - she doesnt want people to know her true feelings/always putting on an act.
Repetition of ‘surface’ highlights the superficiality of the rival
“silver sugar-tings and silver salver”
sibilance and alliteration, pretentiousness designed to maximise discomfort, again a serpent-like quality is given to the rival
“glosses”
ambiguous, rival doesn’t approve of the relationship, double meaning of shiny and trying to conceal something unfavourable. Rival does not pay any real attention to her guests - more concerned about appearance.
“him and me”
the boy is more important than the guest in the rivals eyes
“edges, a surface, a shell”
the speaker is trying to keep her true feelings towards the rival hidden
“but”
contrast, the speaker knows what the mother is really like
“what squirms beneath her surface”
word choice and alliteration, discomfort and the rivals jealousy is shown. Alongside the reference to serpentine quality of the rival.
“capped tooth, polished nail”
idiom on ‘fight tooth and nail’ and word choice, shows the rival is well maintained and adds to the idea that she’s fake
“fight, fight foul”
repetition emphasises the rival is willing to go far to win and remain an important part in her sons life. Also emphasises their rivalry
“deferential, daughterly”
alliteration and irony, the speaker is putting up a facade to try impress the mother. Passive tone with aggressive undertones.
“thank her nicely”
speaker is again trying to make a good impression, falsity
“bitter cup”
transferred epithet, the tea isn’t bitter but the rival is, shows falsity, the plosive letters give us the impression the words are being spat out
“and i have much to thank her for”
“This son she bore-
first blood to her-“
Passive voice - lacks power. She is admitting defeat.
Dashes isolate the words to ensure we finally understand the root of the conflict between the two women. Play on words of “first blood” in terms of lineage/ or she has drawn first blood in this fight.
“never, never”
The repetition emphasises her belief that her lover will not be relinquished to her without a fight
