how the villanelle form informs meaning in terms of form and structure
-rhymes and repetitions not exact, reflecting that genetics do not produce an exact carbon copy of the previous generation
-personal and autobiographical in perspective, with references to her parents' divorce and physical sep...
how the villanelle form informs meaning in terms o
evidence that its a positive poem
Written for
English Lit - Poems of the Decade - 'Genetics'
All documents for this subject (1)
Seller
Follow
munyuabeatrice92
Content preview
English Lit - Poems of the Decade
- 'Genetics'STUDY NOTES
how the villanelle form informs meaning in terms of form and
structure
-rhymes and repetitions not exact, reflecting that genetics do not
produce an exact carbon copy of the previous generation
-personal and autobiographical in perspective, with references to her
parents' divorce and physical separation
-remain together spiritually through her existence, she is a result
of them
-poem repeats two key lines and when they come together, they explain
the miracle of genetics
-lines repeated to symbolize the sequential and generational nature
of genetics within families and relevance within own life
-rhyme, cross-stanza rhyme - genetics are continual
-intricate process of writing in this form shows the complexity of
genetics with last line repeated in anaphora offering closure and
direction
How is imagery used?
-key imagery in reference to 'hands', suggestive of completion and
unity. she's spiritually contempt in the knowledge she's inherited
her 'father's fingers' and 'mother's palms'
-also depicts divergence between physical and spiritual elements.
they may be physically separate - 'repelled to separate lands' - but
still spiritually connected in the 'hands', where 'fingers link to
palms', which are like maps of inheritance - a vastness that's
contained within us
-also 'shaped' around childhood rhyme: 'shape a chapel where a
steeple stands'. image shapes entire poem, with people and
relationships being embodied and symbolized by 'hands' (something
small with a big concept)
-imagery of genetics in 'bequeath': committing to having children to
continue cycle
evidence that it's a positive poem
-optimistic and hopeful - although her parents are now physically
separated, their togetherness in spirit still lives on
-she exists as a result of their marriage, (unification through the
'hands'). 'hands' also where the ring goes, emphasizing idea
-happiness and clarity, switching from a meditation about the past to
, the present, where as a grown woman, she can find more evidence of
the hope she's now fulfilled in marrying and planning to have
children (foreshadowing the future, continuation of genetics)
-genetics therefore hold personal relevance within her outlook on the
importance of life and also giving of life
general notes about poem
-a wistful recollection of the poet as a celebration of the coming
together of her parents
-key line repeated, giving anaphoric/cyclical structure: 'I know my
parents made me by my hands'
-parents no longer together - 'repelled to separate lands' - but as a
daughter, she can still celebrate their marriage by her existence
key points from audio
-'I shape a chapel where a steeple stands' - symbol of her parents'
marriage and its importance to her
from a child's rhyme. folding fingers and joining knuckles, with
fingers interlaced: "this is the church, this is the steeple, open
the doors, and there are the people" (we're all a result of
something). when doors open, turn hands upside down to make fingers
look like people in a church. childhood game at back of image, also
shapes poem, with people and relationships being embodied and
symbolized by hands
-inspiration - in a library studying, looked down at hands. noticed
she had her 'father's fingers' - long and thin - and 'mother's palms'
- square. first line already there, when coupled with other main line
poem shaped itself and came together like hands and more deeply,
genetics
-theme of separation: divorced parents, mother went to New Zealand
(personal resonance in 'separate hemispheres'), more permanent
-references to parents' separation are therefore autobiographical
-talks about 'bequeathing' of genetics to next generation, in
deciding to have children. last stanza embodies this with a positive,
present-day outlook
techniques mentioned in audio
-sibilance in 'steeple stands' = strong, more rhythm. lasting memory
to her. their marriage important
-last line repeated in anaphora: 'we know out parents make us by our
hands' = closure and clarity, more definite with a sense of direction
-cross-stanza rhyme in 'hands... lands' = maintains flow of poem
(like genetics)
-complex structure known as villanelle form
Villanelle Form
poetic form that's structured around the repetition of two lines all
the way through poem
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller munyuabeatrice92. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $10.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
