The Telephone Call Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the main theme of the poem?
In this poem, the speaker receives a call to find out she has won the lottery, which later turns out to be a lottery of ‘good experiences’, leading to the exploration of whether an experience is a good thing if it ends in disappointment, even if it was good in the moment.
Paragraph 1? (The Telephone Call)
In the beginning of the poem, the speaker receives a phone call telling her she has won the lottery and her initial excitement is clear, as well as the emerging power dynamic between the caller and the speaker where the caller is clearly dominant
Quotes for paragraph 1? (The Telephone Call)
‘i feel the top of my head has floated off, out through the window, revolving like a flying saucer’
‘and they laughed’
‘what else? Go on, tell us about it’
‘i feel the top of my head has floated off, out through the window, revolving like a flying saucer’
vivid image of excitement, easy to empathise with her, physical reaction, very distinctive and special
‘and they laughed’
‘they’ –> creates an us vs them
the fact that they are laughing shows that they hold the power and see this as just another day
‘what else? go on, tell us about it’
tell us –> imperative which shows their power as the callers
what else? –> incessant questions, showing their power to keep badgering her, assertive
Paragraph 2? (The Telephone Call)
As the poem progresses, the poet expresses more of her disbelief and excitement as she finds out the universal aspect of this particular company
Quotes for paragraph 2? (The Telephone Call)
‘not to worry about a ticket. we’re universal’
‘and what did you say the company’s called?’
‘my throat’s gone dry, my nose is tingling’
‘my throat’s gone dry, my nose is tingling’
the physical reaction is very relatable and human of her. unlike the caller who seem just like a voice, she seems very real, and her feelings therefore hold more importance for us
‘and what did you say the company’s called? they laughed again’
whilst the narrator is somewhat confused, they are enjoying themselves and hold all the power and understanding
speaker starts to doubt the caller
‘relax, now, have a little cry; we’ll give you a moment’
relax –> imperative, caller holds all the power
we’ll give you a moment –> granting her something she’s entitled to, in power
Paragraph 3? (The Telephone Call)
The poet then finds out that she has been deceived and explores the idea of whether an experience is worth it if you later find out that its fake.
Quotes for paragraph 3? (The Telephone Call)
‘nearly everyone’s bought a ticket in some lottery or another, once at least’
‘‘oh’, they said, ‘there’s no cheque’
‘you’ve had a great experience, right? exciting? something you’ll remember?’
‘nearly everyone’s bought a ticket in some lottery or another, once at least’
referral to the optimism bias where humans have an inherent desire and are more likely to be optimistic even when the odds are not in their favour
refers to everyone as behaving the same
comments on society
'’oh,’ they said, ‘there’s no cheque’’
suddenly undercuts it but in the most casual way possible
‘you’ve had a great experience, right? Exciting? Something you’ll remember?
left to question whether experiences are worth it if they end up being fake
