The Way My Mother Speaks

Question 1

I’m homesick, free in love with the way my mother speaks

Answer 1

Homesick stresses duffys longing for her home in Scotland and connotations of discontent suggests degree of positivity with free and love and acceptance emphasises inner conflict to words change, homesick for childhood

Question 2

The day and ever the day and ever

Answer 2

Means forever and a day as this is her mothers language we can imagine that Duffy would’ve been told she’s be loved for the day and ever

Question 3

Who stood at the end of summer

Answer 3

Delight and innocence of childhood ending to adulthood change

Question 4

The train this slow evening goes down England

Answer 4

Slow meant to describe train and repositioned in order to describe the evening suggests evening itself feels slow giving time to reflect

Question 5

I say her phrases to myself in my head

Answer 5

Drawn into her personal thoughts links herself with mother, suggesting words belong to her mother but the fact they’re in her head shows a deep and personal bond with them

Question 6

I am happy and sad like a child

Answer 6

Contrasting emotions deliberately simple childish language word choice stresses mixed emotions

Question 7

Too blue swapped for a cool grey

Answer 7

Word choice contrast pathetic fallacy literal and metaphorical represents change from day to night as well as form child to adult, too blue represents innocence sunshine and happiness of childhood, grey suggests sadness/uncertainty of adulthood, weather reflects mood