the emigree

Question 1

what does the 1st person signify (form)

Answer 1

• written in 1st person as it explores the inner emotions of the emigree speaker in the poem , rumens is exploring the effect of war on people - stanzas written in free verse with no regular rhythm / rhyme scheme - could expose true nature of her city which is rife with disarray. Also helps to make the poem feel conversational , presenting it as a slowing stream of consciousness, it does not see, contrived

Question 2

what does the repetition suggest (structure)

Answer 2

• multiple examples of repetition within the poem , notably the detached pronoun “they” punctuates the final stanza as the speaker discusses her new city - imposes a belligerent tone & creates a separation between her and ‘them’ depicting her struggle to assimilate with the citizens of her new city

Question 3

T O W A C (memories)

Answer 3

• there once was a country
• starts off like a fairytale : could serve as irony as she was a child when she had to emigrate
• country was her childhood home , so through her childhood lens it could be seen as a fairytale - highlights her innocence & naivety when she was a child in the country
• tone of opening line of the poem starkly contrasts with the hard adult experiences described throughout the poem - generates more sympathy from audience