Where I Come From

Question 1

why is there so much emjambment?

Answer 1

to show the overpowering effect of cities and to overwhelm readers.

Question 2

context

Answer 2

• born in 1922
• spent her childhood in Chipman, New Brunswick
• her early poetry is modernist with a colloquial voice
• beneath this tone is a deep intellectual thought, often relating to places, tradition and memory

Question 3

what quote is “LTSOS”?

Answer 3

“like the smell of smog”

Question 4

analysis of “like the smell of smog”

Answer 4

• sibilance
• could suggest something lingering or sinister
• sticks with the reader
• repeated use of “smell” throughout the first stanza - expresses poets negative thoughts of city

Question 5

what quote is “TANSOTITS”?

Answer 5

“the almost-not-smell of tulips in the spring”

Question 6

analysis of “the almost-not-smell of tulips in the spring”

Answer 6

• city life - pollution all but ellipses the smell of nature
• suggests the poets dislike for the urbanised area
• symbolises almost hope, for it to not be there in the end
• suggests how lifeless the city is and the lack of nature and life, even in the spring

Question 7

what quote is “BPITBOB”?

Answer 7

“blueberry patches in the burnt-out bush”

Question 8

analysis of “blueberry patches in the burnt-out bush”

Answer 8

• alliteration of “b”
• biblical reference - God’s appearance to Moses
• in the Bible, the bush was in flames, not burnt out
• could suggest loss of hope or godless

Question 9

who is the poet?

Answer 9

Elizabeth Brewster

Question 10

poet intentions

Answer 10

express the elements that made up her identity and who she is

Question 11

reader reaction

Answer 11

feel a stronger connection to their identity and past

Question 12

themes

Answer 12

• identity
• what makes you you