Poems Of The Decade Flashcards
(20 cards)
An Easy Passage
A girls journey into womanhood. Explores sexual maturation and struggles of adolescence.
A Minor Role
The story of someone with a serious illness. Explores the necessity for their stoicism and performativity. They feel like a burden on their family, and discuss the struggles of illness whilst longing for a simpler illness such as a visibility one.
Effects
A grieving son expresses his regret for the lack of compassion he showed his mother when she was alive. The conservative attitudes and archaic ideal of her generation created a gulf between the mother and son.
Eat Me
Uses a feederism relationship as a microcosm to explores patriarchal control and domestic abuse in relationships. The man acts as a symbol of the patriarchy, setting and enforcing beauty standards. At first, she submits to his control as she is dependent on him, but eventually kills him, liberating herself.
To My Nine-Year-Old Self
A woman converses with her child self. This highlights the dichotomy between innocence and experience, as well as naivety and knowledge. The woman yearns to preserve her 9 year old self’s innocence, avoiding the struggle that comes with womanhood.
Look We Have Coming To Dover!
Explores cultural assimilation and cultural integration through the journey of refugees. We expect this journey to be that of their arrival at Dover, however Nagra subverts this expectation by suggesting that the true journey begins after their arrival.
From The Journal Of A Disappointed Man
The man feels distant from masculine ideals, which are epitomised by the working men. Perhaps could be an exploration of the struggles of repressed homosexuality.
The Furthest Distance I’ve Travelled
Explores wanderlust (a strong desire to travel). The speaker feels that conventional life is monotonous and confining, and concludes that the relationships between people are the most important aspects of life.
Material
The handkerchief functions as a symbol for maternal love and devotion, showing reminiscence for traditional gender roles of motherhood.
Chainsaw Versus The Pampas Grass
Details the constant conflict between man and nature, along with man’s innate desire for destruction. Alternatively, could be the conflict between men and women, through male sexual dominance and exploitation.
Genetics
Speaker considers the idea that her existence is evidence of her parents love. She reflects on her identity and how this has been shaped by her parents.
History
Highlights the beauty of the natural world as well as the beauty of childhood and innocence, and how this juxtaposes with the cruelty of the real world and tragedy.
Giuseppe
The poem suggests that in wartime, morality is disregarded due to desperation. Alternatively, it explores male destruction of women, or a calling for improving animal rights.
The Lammas Hireling
A mysterious supernatural story. Explores repressed/latent homosexuality, and the speakers religious guilt associated with this; he murders the hireling to avoid confronting his sins.
The Gun
Violence (symbolised by the gun) changes the home. Domestic spaces e.g. kitchen are corrupted by violence. Alternatively, the innocence of femininity is corrupted by masculinity.
Please Hold
The speaker becomes increasingly frustrated that modern technology negates human conversation. Technology has corrupted the human condition.
Ode On A Grayson Perry Urn
At first, the speaker is judgemental of the young people. They begin to appreciate the sight of these young people, becoming almost envious of their lack of responsibilities and their sexual liberation.
Out Of The Bag
Refers to the mystery around birth that comes with Christian childhood. Religion is used to conceal the truths of life.
On Her Blindness
Reference to Milton’s poem. Explores a mother’s attempt to remain stoic amidst adversity. Perhaps a comment on the role of women to be passive and hold the family together.
The Deliverer
Exposes treatment of those deemed unworthy in the Indian caste system, primarily gender inequality. Furthermore, could be seen as a criticism of American exceptionalism and Western ethnocentrism.
