Aunt Julia

Aunt Julia

1. metaphors

   • 'she was bucket/ And water flouncing into them'
     • Julia's vitality and energy from word choice of 'flouncing'
   • 'she was winds pouring wetly round house-end'
     • conveys stormy weather, and reinforces her link with nature and tradition
   • 'while her right hand drew yarn marvellously out of the air'
     • intensity of childhood memory- sense of child's wonder at her skill
     • reniforces Julia's work ethic and traditional skill

2. word choice

   • 'paddling' with the 'treadle' of the spinning wheel
     • paddling - up and down movement as she works the spinning wheel, mirrors the movement of the treadle 'paddle' links with water
   • 'I can see her strong foot stained with peat'
     • poet's memories are vivid. Draws our attention to physical detail. Develops our understanding of her connection with the land and the traditional way of life
   • In the absolute black of a sandy grave
     • intensifies darkness of the grave. Reminds us of 'box bed' - but no friendly noises here

3. sentence structure

   • repitition
     • And getting angry, getting angry
       • Poet's sense of regret is clear - he was too late. his and Julia's frustrations at the language barrier is very emotive
     • I could not answer her - i could not understand her
       • establishes gulf between the young MacCaig and his aunt
       • Emphasises their difficulty in communicating
     • Aunt Julia ... very fast
       • reflection of her life