Keeping Orchids - Key Quotes Flashcards Preview

N5 English > Keeping Orchids - Key Quotes > Flashcards

Flashcards in Keeping Orchids - Key Quotes Deck (13)
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1
Q

“some of the buds remain closed as secrets”

A

This is a similie - gives the idea of concealment/a mystery

2
Q

“like a baby in a shawl”

A

Suggests cars and protection.

3
Q

“All the broken waters”

A

Reference to birth. Also choppy water, a disturbance.

4
Q

“upset orchids with troubled hands”

A

transferred epithet - it reflects the speakers feelings

5
Q

“the closed ones did not open out”

A

This suggests that her mother also did not open up to her.

6
Q

“The skin/ shut like an eye in the dark”

A

“the skin” - not petals but the mother - Lack of understanding.

7
Q

“the closed lid”

A

whatever she knows she is not telling - idea of cutting something of or containing it.

8
Q

“they hang their heads”

A

The speaker wants to know why she was givin up. The mother may feel guilt/ shame about this. Could be the orchids.

9
Q

“Boiling water makes flowers live longer. So does/ cutting the stems with a sharp knife”

A

Although adoption was painful it was the right thing to do. Making the flowers last because she wants to hold onto some connection with her birth mother.

10
Q

“from her train station to mine, then home”

A

They live far apart. There is an idea of separation/distance between speaker and birth mother

11
Q

“Her face is fading fast.”

A

illiteration - her memory of the visit is fading, emphasises loss of connection.

12
Q

“Even her voice rushes/through a tunnel the other way from home.”

A

Train imagery - the 2 people who met are now moving away from each other.

13
Q

Main Themes?

A
  • Passage of time
  • Defining life moment
  • Secrets and discoveries
  • Parent/child/family relationship