10 mark question

Seite 1

Liz Lochhead's poetry is entertaining but often explores universal truths. By referring to 'For my Grandmother Knitting' and at least one other by Lochhead, discuss the interpretation of her poetry.

'For my Grandmother Knitting' by Liz Lochhead deals with the aging process, and the effect this has upon the way the Grandmother is viewed by her family. 'My Rival's House' looks at a jealous Mother who fears that her child will leave her. 'Some Old Photographs' highlights the inevitable passing of time.

In 'For my Grandmother Knitting', the Grandmother's hands symbolise the age of the Grandmother and her usefulness. "Swollen-jointed, Red, Arthritic. Old." - this use of minor sentences emphasises the way the Grandmother's hands have deteriorated as she has aged. Now, her hands are useless and unable to complete the tasks which they were once able to.

In the poem, 'My Rival's House', the Mother shows jealousy towards her potential daughter-in-law. "what squirms beneath her surface I can tell", the word choice of 'squirms' makes it clear that the Mother has a façade to conceal her twisted and unpleasant feelings towards the girlfriend.

In the same poem, the mother is portrayed to be over-protective of her son. Lochhead writes, "first blood to her - never, never can escape scot-free", the use of repetition of the word 'never' emphasises that she is possesive of her son and will never let him leave her side. She continues to be over-protective of him even though he is grown up now.

'Some old Photographs' demonstrates that once a moment has passed, it is impossible to go back to that moment. "your young , still-lovely mother laughs" , this creates an image of a young care-free woman who is now a mother. Looking baack on pictures from the past hilights that the passing of time is inevitable.