Emigree by Carol Rumen

• What is the ambiguous meaning of the phrase "I left it as a child" in the poem "Emigree"?

  It can mean she left when she was a child or that the city was vulnerable like a child.
• What imagery is conveyed by the phrase "I am branded by an impression of sunlight"?

  It suggests that the imagery of light will remain with her forever.
• How is personification used in the poem to describe the city?

  The city is described with maternal love, as in "I come its hair and love its shining eyes".
• What does the phrase "my city hides behind me" imply about the speaker's relationship with the city?

  It suggests that the city is vulnerable and that she feels a sense of strength despite having fled.
• What tones are present in the poem "Emigree"?

  • Mournful
  • Defiant
  • Nostalgic
• When was the poem "Emigree" published?

  It was published in 1993.
• Why is the home country of the speaker not revealed in "Emigree"?

  This ambiguity gives the poem a timeless reference.
• How is the poem "Emigree" increasingly relevant to people today?

  It reflects the experiences of many people in the current world.
• What is the form and structure of the poem "Emigree"?

  • Written in first person
  • Last line of every stanza is the same (epistrophe) - "sunlight"
  • First two stanzas have enjambment, conveying freedom
  • Final stanza has full stops, conveying a sense of being trapped
• What are the main themes explored in "Emigree"?

  • Conflict
  • Power
  • Identity
  • Protest
  • Bravery
  • Childhood
• What does the term "Emigree" refer to in the context of the poem?

  It refers to a woman forced to leave her country for political or social reasons.
• What does the speaker describe in "Emigree"?

  She describes her memories of a home city that she was forced to flee.
• How is the city described in "Emigree" after the speaker's departure?

  The city is now "sick with tyrants".
• What is the significance of the speaker's positive memories of the city in "Emigree"?

  Despite the city's problems, her positive memories cannot be extinguished.