The Way My Mother Speaks

Summary Summarise this poem in 25 words This is about Carol Ann Duffy moving away from home. She misses her mum and tries to remember her words. She has mixed feelings but gets more optimistic about the move.

Speaker/Structure of the poem List 3 things we learn about the speaker of this poem: Carol Ann Duffy is leaving home for the first time, close relationship with mother, not convinced this is a good idea How do the speaker’s feelings change?: At the start she is feeling upset, emotional at the thought of leaving mum, she gets more positive and hopeful as the journey ends Why is this important?: Shows she is a positive person, has to make the best of the situation, normal part of growing up, important transition, exciting to move on to next stage of life

Themes Pick 3 themes: Relationships, childhood, growing up How are they developed in the poem? Pick at least 1 quotation for each theme

Quotations Pick 5 quotations: “The day and ever. The day and ever” Identify 2 techniques used in each quotation: Repetition and word order Explain literal and deeper meaning of the technique: Literally means today and forever, deeper meaning suggests it is the way that he mum speaks with her Scottish accent and it is important to her because she is repeating it to herself What effect does it create? This creates the effect that she desperately wants to remember and keep a close connection with her mother. “ever” at the end suggests that this connection will never end