The Way My Mother Speaks Themes Change and

The Way My Mother Speaks Themes: • Change and new beginnings • Life transitions • Family / relationships • Memory

The Way My Mother Speaks • “My Mother” - Duffy’s mum, she’s Scottish. • Written in first person stance, Duffy herself.

Her mum’s well-used sayings She is repeating things her mum would say to calm herself as she travels from Scotland to England to start a new life I say her phrases to myself in my head Private thoughts. Contemplative tone. Not sharing with anyone else or under the shallows of my breath, Quiet breathing – but also a symptom restful shapes moving. of anxiety. The day and ever. The train seems calm, comfortable, gentle. Also suggests how soothing mum’s voice is. “Shapes” also creates confusion - we wonder what is going on. Repetition is almost lyrical, mimicking the movement of the train. Speaker is trying to remember her mum’s voice, her unique phrases. She is trying to hold on to her identity. Italics are used to highlight its her mum’s speech

Transferred epithet; the train is slow, not the evening The train this slow evening Assonance: broad vowels slow reading down, echoing the slow journey as she goes away from home. goes down England browsing for the right sky, Word choice – she’s looking for the right thing/place too blue swapped for a cool grey. For miles I have been saying What like is it. Scots: what is it like then? The way I say things when I think. She’s moving from blue to grey – childhood to adulthood Assonance highlights more contradiction and confusion in the persona’s feelings. “Blue skies” = happiness, “grey” = misery. Maybe she’s uneasy about the way ahead. Nothing is silent. Nothing is not silent. What like is it. More contradictions. Double negative reflects her confusion, she’s doesn’t know she thinks to her leaving home. Mixed feelings. A literal and metaphorical long time Repetition emphasises the writer’s fascination with her mum’s expressions.

This is a one off…the only time she will feel this, maybe even have this journey. Only tonight I am happy and sad like a child Mixed emotions. Paradox. The narrator cannot be happy and sad yet she is grateful of her mum’s support. She’s becoming independent, grown up and leaving home, and excited for her independent life. Imagery end of childhood – nostalgic (looking back) who stood at the end of summer and dipped a net Metaphor compares growing up to children searching ponds for wildlife, suggesting anticipation for the unknown. in a green, erotic pond. The day and ever. Enjambment I am homesick, free, in love Transferred epithet – “erotic” is given to the pond when it’s actually her impending adulthood. “Green” – water is murky/can’t see (future is unknown) “Green” – naïve. “Erotic” – awakening to a more sensual/sexual word. with the way my mother speaks. Repetition, mirrors the journey still in progress. Reminds her of her Scottish identity. “homesick/free” contrasting word choice “homesick” reflects back/”free” looks for unrestricted, has opportunities and it’s re

• Tender tone. “In love” suggests an affirmation of her love for her mum. • The final line repeats the title and concludes the message: she is fond and nostalgic for her mum’s voice. • There will always be a connection between Duffy and her mum.