Freya Richardson-Fay
How does Morrissey present family relationships in this poem?
‘Genetics’ by Sinéad Morrissey is a reflective poem, that analyses the extent of influence that
parents hold over a child’s identity, and observing how much of this influence can be
attributed to family relationships, and how much can be attributed to ‘Genetics’.
The poet uses metaphorical language, paired with shifting pronouns and a prideful tone to
illuminate how familial relationships should be treated with a level of respect, to the point of
accepting its demise with a sense of duty. This can be interpretated through the declarative
“My body is their marriage register”, as this depicts how the union has melted away, leaving
the speaker’s body to remain as proof of its existence. The use of a metaphor is significant as
it presents this demise as something that is definite through the verb “is”. The poet could
have used a simile in this instance, however, chose to use a metaphor, therefore strengthening
the reading that the decline of a family relationship is an event that the speaker must be
passive in, out of respect for the union that once stood in its place. This is further heightened
from the shifting in pronouns from “My” to “their” as it denotes a lack of ownership, and thus
acceptance of the situation. The shift is also reflective of the shift in responsibility felt by the
speaker; the parents formed the family unit; however, it is the responsibility of the speaker to
bear the physical identity and embodiment of it. It is interesting to note however, that this
acceptance doesn’t carry as many negative connotations that one may first perceive. The
proud tone created by the visual imagery of “my body”, illuminates how the speaker is
willing to give their “body” to the cause of their parent’s union, thus demonstrating the high
regard the familial relationship is held in. The speaker is aware that they still have ownership
of their “body” as established through the possessive pronoun “My”, and so doesn’t need
permission to ‘give’ themselves, making their sacrifice much more poignant. Furthermore,
the tactile imagery created by “body… marriage register” creates an interesting dynamic
between the status of physical things, posing the question on whether a marriage register is
important enough to be represented by someone’s entire existence, with the speaker believing
that this is the case.
Morrissey uses form and structure to present familial relationships as steady and permanent,
despite going through many different incarnations. This is elucidated through the poet
choosing to structure the poem as a villanelle, with the refrain becoming an emblem of the
steady, beating heart of the relationship. One part of the refrain being present in each stanza
provides the insight that the speaker always carries the influence of their parent’s relationship
with them, regardless of the size of that influence. It is interesting to note that the form of the
villanelle, whilst being paired with a tercet structure, may symbolise how the speaker began
their life ‘within’ their parent’s relationship, hence the first and third line of stanza one (the
components of the refrain) surrounding the remaining line. This represents how the speaker
was ‘held’ by their parent’s union, thus emphasising the change in this relationship through
the change in placements of the refrain. The two components of the refrain also draw
reference to the scientific formation of identity through the x and y chromosomes, linking
back to the title ‘Genetics’, therefore acting as a passive reminder of how inherited
characteristics form the base of attributes, and yet how relationships can shape and build
upon these attributes. Nevertheless, the refrain produces the final two lines of the poem,
acting as a resolution and conclusion, denoting that despite changing circumstances and
forms, the speaker can always find a sense of solace within their family relationship, leading
How does Morrissey present family relationships in this poem?
‘Genetics’ by Sinéad Morrissey is a reflective poem, that analyses the extent of influence that
parents hold over a child’s identity, and observing how much of this influence can be
attributed to family relationships, and how much can be attributed to ‘Genetics’.
The poet uses metaphorical language, paired with shifting pronouns and a prideful tone to
illuminate how familial relationships should be treated with a level of respect, to the point of
accepting its demise with a sense of duty. This can be interpretated through the declarative
“My body is their marriage register”, as this depicts how the union has melted away, leaving
the speaker’s body to remain as proof of its existence. The use of a metaphor is significant as
it presents this demise as something that is definite through the verb “is”. The poet could
have used a simile in this instance, however, chose to use a metaphor, therefore strengthening
the reading that the decline of a family relationship is an event that the speaker must be
passive in, out of respect for the union that once stood in its place. This is further heightened
from the shifting in pronouns from “My” to “their” as it denotes a lack of ownership, and thus
acceptance of the situation. The shift is also reflective of the shift in responsibility felt by the
speaker; the parents formed the family unit; however, it is the responsibility of the speaker to
bear the physical identity and embodiment of it. It is interesting to note however, that this
acceptance doesn’t carry as many negative connotations that one may first perceive. The
proud tone created by the visual imagery of “my body”, illuminates how the speaker is
willing to give their “body” to the cause of their parent’s union, thus demonstrating the high
regard the familial relationship is held in. The speaker is aware that they still have ownership
of their “body” as established through the possessive pronoun “My”, and so doesn’t need
permission to ‘give’ themselves, making their sacrifice much more poignant. Furthermore,
the tactile imagery created by “body… marriage register” creates an interesting dynamic
between the status of physical things, posing the question on whether a marriage register is
important enough to be represented by someone’s entire existence, with the speaker believing
that this is the case.
Morrissey uses form and structure to present familial relationships as steady and permanent,
despite going through many different incarnations. This is elucidated through the poet
choosing to structure the poem as a villanelle, with the refrain becoming an emblem of the
steady, beating heart of the relationship. One part of the refrain being present in each stanza
provides the insight that the speaker always carries the influence of their parent’s relationship
with them, regardless of the size of that influence. It is interesting to note that the form of the
villanelle, whilst being paired with a tercet structure, may symbolise how the speaker began
their life ‘within’ their parent’s relationship, hence the first and third line of stanza one (the
components of the refrain) surrounding the remaining line. This represents how the speaker
was ‘held’ by their parent’s union, thus emphasising the change in this relationship through
the change in placements of the refrain. The two components of the refrain also draw
reference to the scientific formation of identity through the x and y chromosomes, linking
back to the title ‘Genetics’, therefore acting as a passive reminder of how inherited
characteristics form the base of attributes, and yet how relationships can shape and build
upon these attributes. Nevertheless, the refrain produces the final two lines of the poem,
acting as a resolution and conclusion, denoting that despite changing circumstances and
forms, the speaker can always find a sense of solace within their family relationship, leading
