Search for my Tongue
What does the speaker fear will happen to her 'mother tongue'?
She fears that her mother tongue will “die” or disappear because she is living and speaking in another language.
What does the speaker object to about the term “half-caste”?
He objects to it because it suggests that someone who is mixed-race is only half a person or somehow incomplete.
What is the speaker thinking about when she remembers her father?
She remembers him when doing mundane, everyday chores suggesting that her grief comes along when she least expects it.
Why is the child punished by his teacher?
because he has done 'Some Thing Wrong'
Who is the Duke speaking to in the poem?
He is speaking to a messenger who has come to negotiate the Duke's next marriage.
How does Bhatt use the metaphor of a “tongue” to explore identity?
The tongue represents both language and cultural identity. The metaphor suggests that losing a language could feel like losing an important part of herself.
What tone does the phrase “Explain yuself” create from the beginning of the poem and what effect does this have?
It feels confrontational and questioning and directly challenges the reader to address their biases and assumptions.
What does the poem suggest about how grief feels?
Grief is ongoing and comes in different forms and cannot be controlled or contained.
What is the effect of the opening line 'once upon a schooltime'?
It makes it feel like a fairy tale and emphasises that it is a child speaking to the reader thus making us sympathise with them for their experience in the poem.
What does the Duke's description of the Duchess's “spot of joy” (blushing) reveal about him?
It reveals his jealous and controlling nature. He is offended that the Duchess appears happy about things other than him and believes he should control how she behaves.
Why is the Gujarati section of the poem important?
It demonstrates that the speaker's mother tongue is still alive within her. It also makes the reader feel the same alienation and loneliness that she feels in a foreign country and therefore helps us to empathise with her.
How does Agard use examples such as the “half-caste” canvas and “half-caste” weather to challenge racism?
He deliberately applies the term to things that are naturally mixed or combined. This exposes how illogical and ridiculous the label is when applied to people.
What impact does the repetition of 'How I miss my father' have on the reader?
It suggests that her grief is continuous and does not stop and emphasises the extent to which she misses her father.
How does Fanthorpe show the difference between a child's understanding of time and an adult's?
The child does not fully understand conventional time. He experiences time through phrases such as “half-past two”, while later he imagines time in a more magical and personal way. This creates a contrast between the rigid adult world and the imaginative world of childhood.
Why does Browning choose to use the dramatic monologue form?
To emphasise how the Duke controls all conversations with his one-sided narrative of jealousy and possessiveness.
What does the poem ultimately suggest about the relationship between language and identity?
The poem suggests that language is deeply connected to identity and heritage. Although a person may adapt to a new language and culture, their original language and identity can remain an important part of them.
How does the poem challenge ideas about identity and belonging?
Agard rejects the idea that mixed identity makes someone incomplete. Instead, he presents mixture as natural, valuable and creative, challenging narrow ideas about race and identity.
Why is this poem written at the age of 39 rather than any other age?
At 39, the speaker is old enough to reflect on her own life and understand her father's experiences differently. The poem suggests that maturity can change our understanding of our parents, sometimes bringing appreciation and regret.
What does the poem suggest about the way adults treat children?
It suggests that adults can impose rules and expectations that children do not fully understand. Fanthorpe encourages us to see the situation from the child's perspective and recognise the importance of imagination and innocence.
What does the symbolism of 'Neptune taming a seahorse' suggest?
It suggests that the Duke sees himself as powerful as the Roman God and that his arrogance is dangerous. He sees himself as being able to control and command anything that he sees as beneath him and represents his constant quest for power.