A Textual Analysis and Response to: In Memory of Zoe Yalland and Tortoise By Andrew Motion.

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A Textual Analysis and Response to: In Memory of Zoe Yalland and Tortoise By Andrew Motion.

By Christine Read.

Both poems represent suffering in the twentieth century, albeit different types. Both are also written in blank verse. This allows the author to write using a very flexible form not being hampered in the expression of thought or syntactic structure by the need to rhyme.

The title ‘In Memory of Zoë Yalland’ is stating clearly that this is a memorial to the lady; however, this does not mean that it is an obituary. Although it is written after her death I don’t necessarily see it as an obituary, rather more of an epitaph, and a bitter one at that. Obituaries are generally very generous in their remembrance of the deceased. They usually describe their life and the contributions they made to it, paint a pretty picture of how loved they were and how sadly missed they’ll be. This poem is totally contrary to the norm as regard to obituaries. I see this written on a tomb, as if to say, “Look! Here lays a young woman, who during her life suffered a great deal. Go live your life to the full, savour each moment, love those around you, for you know not what tomorrow brings”.

Tortoise is a different title altogether. It is written in the same context as the verse, ambiguously and metaphorically. Initially you believe that the verse is literally about a tortoise, until you come to realise that the author is using a clever play on words. As you read on you find yourself analysing the text, struggling to understand what the author is trying to say, which is totally contrary to ‘In Memory of Zoë Yalland’. While Zoë’s poem is straight talking and to the point, ‘Tortoise’ is ambiguous

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Zoë’s poem is weighed down with mental and physical anguish, the torturing of mind and body. It represents the struggles of everyday life against society and disease. The text used is very harsh, no frills, the author has told it like it is. This is a poem that could be written for so many and yet I feel that this is personal to the author. I believe Zoë was close to him and he is airing his anger and frustration at the waste of such a young life. Zoë was clearly a person who never found true happiness. It ...

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