the émigrée Flashcards
(51 cards)
What does the opening of ‘The Emigrée’ suggest?
It suggests a story but also hints at loss.
The loss implies a deeper emotional connection to the past.
What is the effect of the juxtaposition of ‘branded’ and ‘impression of sunlight’?
It contrasts permanence with a positive memory.
‘Branded’ implies a lasting impact on the speaker’s view of her past.
How is the ‘city’ described in ‘The Emigrée’?
It sounds pure and almost heavenly.
This description contributes to the idealization of the speaker’s homeland.
What does the phrase ‘sunlight-clear’ imply about the speaker’s memory?
It suggests clarity and brightness in her recollections.
The use of ‘sunlight’ symbolizes positivity and warmth.
What does the speaker’s childhood vocabulary symbolize?
It symbolizes the bright and precious nature of her early language.
This reflects the importance of language in shaping identity.
What is the significance of the line ‘There once was a country… I left it as a child’?
It highlights the speaker’s early separation from her homeland.
This line sets the tone for nostalgia and longing.
True or False: The worst news about the speaker’s homeland affects her original view.
False.
The speaker maintains a positive impression despite negative news.
Fill in the blank: The poem suggests that the speaker’s memories are _______.
bright and positive.
The memories are contrasted with the current reality of war.
What does the metaphor of time suggest about the speaker’s memories?
Time is personified as an enemy that cannot affect her memories.
This emphasizes the strength of her recollections.
What do the ‘white streets’ and ‘graceful slopes’ represent?
They represent the speaker’s idyllic memories of her city.
These images contribute to the theme of nostalgia.
How is the current city perceived by the speaker compared to ‘they’?
The speaker sees it as restrictive, while ‘they’ see it as ‘free’.
This reflects the conflict between personal experience and societal views.
What does the speaker mean by being accused of being ‘dark’?
It contrasts her brightness associated with her old city.
This accusation highlights the speaker’s feelings of alienation.
What does the ending of the poem convey about the speaker’s memories?
It ends on a positive note, associating the city with ‘sunlight’.
This reinforces the enduring nature of her memories.
Define the term ‘emigrée’.
A woman forced to leave her native country, often for political reasons.
This term encapsulates the speaker’s experience of displacement.
What does the imagery of ‘tanks’ and ‘frontiers’ suggest?
It suggests conflict and separation from her homeland.
This imagery evokes feelings of loss and division.
What does the phrase ‘my shadow falls as evidence of sunlight’ imply?
It implies that the speaker’s presence still carries the light of her memories.
The shadow symbolizes her connection to her past amidst current darkness.
Who is Carol Rumens?
An English poet, lecturer and translator
Known for her poem ‘The Emigrée’ which appeared in her 1993 collection, ‘Thinking of Skins’.
What is the main theme of ‘The Emigrée’?
Memory, loss, individual experiences
The poem explores the speaker’s positive memories of a city left behind.
What perspective is ‘The Emigrée’ written from?
First person
This gives a personal and subjective view of the speaker’s experiences.
How many stanzas does ‘The Emigrée’ have?
Three eight-line stanzas
What literary device is used to describe the city as being ‘sick with tyrants’?
Personification
This emphasizes the speaker’s emotional connection to the city.
What does the repetition of ‘sunlight’ signify in the poem?
A positive light on the city
It reinforces the speaker’s fond memories and optimistic view.
What is the structure of ‘The Emigrée’?
Three stanzas with irregular rhythm and rhyme scheme
Fill in the blank: The speaker’s feeling of confinement is reflected in the _______.
City of walls
