The Way My Mother Speaks

Question 1

1st paragraph - speakers feelings - “shallows of my breath”

Answer 1

Metaphor - literally means lacking physical depth, suggests anxiety, nervousness, unconfident.

Question 2

1st paragraph - speakers feelings - “ever”

Answer 2

Finality, irreversableness, difiniteness

Question 3

2nd paragraph - unsettling - “slow evening”

Answer 3

Time is dragging, tedious, and feeling stuck

Question 4

2nd paragraph - unsettling - “What like is it”

Answer 4

Repetition - saying the phrases in her head for comfort, clinging to the past

Question 5

3rd paragraph- childhood - “I am happy and sad”

Answer 5

Paradox - mixed feelings of growing up, exited for future but clinging to the past

Question 6

3rd paragraph - childhood - “green”

Answer 6

Naivety, innocence growing up uncertain and unsure

Question 7

End of poem - poets feelings

Answer 7

.Misses home and her loved ones
.Taken control over her own life

Question 8

Change - “I am happy and sad”

Answer 8

Paradox - mixed feelings about change, exited for future but still clinging to past.