Before you were mine

• Who is the author of the poem "Before You Were Mine"?

  Carol Ann Duffy
• What is the main theme of the poem "Before You Were Mine"?

  A daughter reflecting on her mother's past
• How does the daughter feel about her mother's life before her birth?

  She feels guilty for disrupting her mother's youth
• What does the daughter imagine about her mother's youth?

  Her mother had fun and was carefree
• What does the phrase "I ruined your life" imply in the poem?

  The daughter feels she took away her mother's joy
• What does the imagery of "the corner you laugh on" suggest?

  It indicates a moment of happiness in her mother's past
• What does the use of alliteration in "Maggie McGeeney and Jean" convey?

  It emphasizes the closeness of the friends
• How does the speaker describe her mother's dress in the poem?

  As a "poka dot dress" that symbolizes beauty
• Who is Marilyn Monroe referenced in the poem?

  An iconic American actress and sex symbol
• What does the phrase "the thought of me doesn’t occur" imply?

  The mother was carefree and focused on herself
• What does the "Thousand eyes" symbolize in the poem?

  The attention and attraction her mother received
• How does the speaker feel about her mother's past relationships?

  She feels a sense of loss and insignificance
• What does the phrase "you reckon it’s worth it" imply about the mother's character?

  She valued freedom over discipline
• How does the speaker's use of "loud possessive yell" reflect her feelings?

  It indicates her overwhelming presence in her mother's life
• What does the phrase "I knew you would dance like that" suggest about the speaker's feelings?

  It shows admiration for her mother's freedom
• What does the rhetorical question about the mother's happiness signify?

  The speaker seeks reassurance about her mother's past
• What does the phrase "I’ve ruined your life" reveal about the speaker's emotions?

  It shows her guilt and unresolved feelings
• How does the poem's structure contribute to its meaning?

  It allows for a reflection on past and present
• What is the significance of the direct address in the poem?

  It creates intimacy and connection with the mother
• What does the informal language in "ma" suggest about the speaker's relationship with her mother?

  It indicates a desire for closeness and friendship
• How does the juxtaposition of "hiding" and "friendship" affect the poem's tone?

  It highlights the contrast between love and discipline
• What does the speaker learn to live with by the end of the poem?

  Her guilt about her mother's lost youth
• What does the phrase "the best one" imply about the mother's past?

  It suggests a longing for her mother's happier days
• How does the poem convey the theme of loss?

  Through the daughter's reflections on her mother's past
• What role does nostalgia play in the poem "Before You Were Mine"?

  It evokes a sense of longing for the past
• What does the rhetorical question in the poem symbolize?

  It symbolizes the speaker's search for reassurance
• Why is the speaker's question considered tragic?

  Because she can never get the answer
• What would the speaker's mother likely say about her happiness before the speaker was born?

  She would say the speaker was the best thing
• What does the speaker feel about her mother's response?

  She feels it would be insincere
• What implication does the speaker's unresolved feelings suggest about her mother?

  It suggests the mother may have passed away
• What does the phrase "I've ruined your life" imply about the speaker's feelings?

  It implies she feels guilty and responsible
• How does the speaker's use of the word "decade" contribute to the poem's meaning?

  It suggests a specific time of happiness
• What does the speaker's obsession with her mother's past indicate?

  It indicates her longing for connection
• What does the possessive pronoun "my" signify in the poem?

  It signifies her sense of ownership and guilt
• How does the speaker's description of herself as a baby reflect her feelings?

  It reflects her guilt and responsibility
• What does the speaker's yell symbolize in the context of the poem?

  It symbolizes conflict and difficulty
• How does the speaker's view of her mother's life reflect a childlike perspective?

  It shows extreme views without nuance
• What do the "high heeled red shoes" represent in the poem?

  They represent the mother's past glamour
• What does the color imagery of red symbolize?

  It symbolizes youth and contentment
• How does the speaker's desire to "walk in her shoes" reflect her feelings towards her mother?

  It reflects her admiration and longing