Word choice THE WAY MY MOTHER SPEAKS Antithesis of change, links to something

comforting, permanent, reflects a dialect, conveys a

love, close sense of belonging to your roots
relationship I say
her First person narration, makes it personal
Word choice and shows the speakers actions
private
experience,
alone

phrases to myself
in my head
or under the
shallows of my breath,
restful shapes moving. Metaphor connotations of anxiety, longs
The day and ever. The day and ever. to hear the familiar words
Paradox
confusion Repetition mimics movement of the train,
echoes emphasises loss and how long the Stanza 2 – transition, change is present
speaker’s negative feelings will last, do not want to through the symbolism of the train
feelings forget journey

Broad Word choice of “ browsing” connotations

vowels slow of searching, looking for where they
it down like belong “right sky” suggests there is a
the train place that looks right and suits them

The train this slow evening

goes down England
browsing for the right sky,
too blue swapped for a cool grey.
Word choice of “blue”connotations of sun,
Emphasise
the distance
For miles I have been saying warmth, comfort and happiness. “cool grey”
travelled What like is it connotations of misery and cold, uncertainty.
Focus on lack of perfection in both places
the way I say things when I think.
Colloquial
language Nothing is silent. Nothing is not silent. Highlights the contrasting identities. The way
and What like is it. the speaker thinks and acts are different. Link
to roots and background etc.

Repetition of “nothing” connotations of negative feelings, loss, hesitancy and

confusion. Sounds in their head so silent but they can hear them as if they are Stanza 3 – more positive, sense of excitement,
real/overwhelming. Double negative shows a realisation that they do not need bittersweet experience
to abandon roots/ reluctant to forget their mother and past.
Only tonight
Word choice
I am happy and sad
Word choice – contrast/confusion, more confident
suggests like a child and hopeful for the future. Simile – compares the
once in a
lifetime who stood at the end of summer speaker to a child, suggests innocence and hope
as moving in adulthood, connection to past but
and dipped a net embracing present to thrive in life
Symbolises a in a green, erotic pond. The day
time of
change, and ever. The day and ever. Word choice of “dipped” suggests tentative,
cautious approach
growing up
and moving
I am homesick, free, in love
with the way my mother speaks. Metaphor – links to growing up and emerging
sexuality Word choice of “pond” suggests new
depths to explore, new experiences,
excitement
Repetition
emphasises List – contradiction of positive and negative,
the continuing more positive as journey ends, moving
journey and forward, link to past and stay in love with roots
Themes Links to
permanent and memories which will remain with them.
 Childhood Repetition – full circle,
 Inreturn to title, free
Mrs Tilscher’s to
Class
change  Identity create own future and(growing
remain connected
up) to the
 Growing up past, positive tone  to end
Originally (identity)
 Nostalgia  War Photographer
 Relationships (contrast)
 Real and metphorical journey
 Emotions  Mrs Midas (conflicting
 Explores difficulties and conflciting emotions)
emotions realted to the future and growing
 Valentine (contrast)
up
 Connections to mother and positive sense
of identity/roots/past
 Reflects life and the challenges ahead
 Train journey reflects the journey from
childhood to adulthood and leaving
security and warmth behind us
 Emotions are personal and specific