DANIELLA SPOTO
jeudi 3 mars 2022
Genetics - Sinéad Morrissey
Structure and tone in Genetics
Tercets make use of repetition and line structure, repeated end words give reference to the
circular path of a future history that the poem alludes to- could also represent a wedding
ring
Half rhyme ‘hands/demands/psalms’ children are not carbon copies of their parents- but
will always be linked despite physical separation- represents a transition
Villanelles are highly structured verses compromised of 19 lines and 5 stanzas of tercets
with a nal quatrain. They often focus on themes of love, loss and challenge
Tone - creation in a moment of love- putting perspective into a situation/ certain things take
away from the harsh reality of her parents situation such as the concrete nouns ‘ ngers/..
palms’
Genetics are three syllables, mimics the three people involved
First person narrative
Key images
Idea that she sees her mother and father in her hands creates a comforting image for
many readers with divorced parents to related to the idea that one can feel unloved/
worthless especially when forced to choose between your parents.
Key quotes
‘In my/.. by my/.. bequeath my’
‘Bequeath’- leaving in a will- idea that the speaker hasn’t been surrounded by loving
successful relationships so has nothing to give her hope that her own marriage will
succeed.
Transition between the three changes the tone throughout the poem- growing up,
re ecting on identity and following the genetic imperative to reproduce.
‘Who quarry for their image by a river’
‘Quarry’ interpreted as similar sounding to ‘quarrel’. Idea of arguing over or searching
shows how people are looking for something that was once present, as in the relationship,
which can no longer be found or agreed upon.
‘River’ constantly changing- transient- suggests an illusion or how time is eeting or
passing.
‘Hands/..palms/.. ngers’
Lexical eld of body- permanent, identity, DNA- widely focused on physicality.
1
fl
fi fi fi fl fi
jeudi 3 mars 2022
Genetics - Sinéad Morrissey
Structure and tone in Genetics
Tercets make use of repetition and line structure, repeated end words give reference to the
circular path of a future history that the poem alludes to- could also represent a wedding
ring
Half rhyme ‘hands/demands/psalms’ children are not carbon copies of their parents- but
will always be linked despite physical separation- represents a transition
Villanelles are highly structured verses compromised of 19 lines and 5 stanzas of tercets
with a nal quatrain. They often focus on themes of love, loss and challenge
Tone - creation in a moment of love- putting perspective into a situation/ certain things take
away from the harsh reality of her parents situation such as the concrete nouns ‘ ngers/..
palms’
Genetics are three syllables, mimics the three people involved
First person narrative
Key images
Idea that she sees her mother and father in her hands creates a comforting image for
many readers with divorced parents to related to the idea that one can feel unloved/
worthless especially when forced to choose between your parents.
Key quotes
‘In my/.. by my/.. bequeath my’
‘Bequeath’- leaving in a will- idea that the speaker hasn’t been surrounded by loving
successful relationships so has nothing to give her hope that her own marriage will
succeed.
Transition between the three changes the tone throughout the poem- growing up,
re ecting on identity and following the genetic imperative to reproduce.
‘Who quarry for their image by a river’
‘Quarry’ interpreted as similar sounding to ‘quarrel’. Idea of arguing over or searching
shows how people are looking for something that was once present, as in the relationship,
which can no longer be found or agreed upon.
‘River’ constantly changing- transient- suggests an illusion or how time is eeting or
passing.
‘Hands/..palms/.. ngers’
Lexical eld of body- permanent, identity, DNA- widely focused on physicality.
1
fl
fi fi fi fl fi
