Effects - Alan Jenkins

• "I held her hand, that was always scarred"

  • The word "scarred" suggests long-term damage, not just physically but potentially emotionally as well. It implies a sense of permanent wear and tear, highlighting the painful cost of repeated labor.
  • Metaphor: The word could be read as a metaphor for the burdens of domestic work that leave a lasting impact on the woman's body and psyche. It's not just about physical scars but the emotional weight of the labor she endures.
• "From chopping, slicing..."

  • These verbs create a vivid image of kitchen tasks, emphasizing precision, effort, and the potential for injury. The harsh, repetitive nature of these tasks suggests a routine that is both tiring and potentially dangerous.
  • Alliteration: The repetition of the "ch" sound (in "chopping" and "slicing") contributes to the harshness of the imagery, mimicking the sharpness of the knives and the repetitive rhythm of the woman's work.
• "...from the knives that lay in wait"

  • Personification: The knives are described as "laying in wait," which gives them a menacing quality. This suggests a sense of danger, implying that the tasks in the kitchen are not just physical but laden with potential harm, emphasizing the oppressive nature of her daily chores.
  • Foreshadowing: The phrase also implies that these tasks, or the tools of labor, are always present and threatening, hinting at the cumulative toll on the woman.
• In bowls of washing up..."

  • The "bowls of washing-up" could symbolize the endless cycle of domestic work that never ceases, reinforcing themes of repetition and futility. The act of washing-up itself often involves cleansing, but here, it feels more like a futile task that only results in more work.
  • Juxtaposition: This phrase contrasts the "scarred" hands with the idea of washing, which is traditionally associated with cleaning and care. The roughness of the woman's hands is in direct opposition to the idea of cleanliness.
• "...that was raw..."

  • "Raw" suggests a state of vulnerability, pain, and irritation, emphasizing the toll that the physical work has on her hands. It draws attention to the fleshiness and humanity of the speaker’s body, making her labor feel more visceral and real.
  • Repetition: The word "raw" could also be seen as a return to the natural, untamed state of the body, untouched by social niceties or convention. This ties in with the theme of labor stripping away the softness or delicacy traditionally associated with women.
• The knuckles reddened, rough from scrubbing hard"

  • The physical imagery of "reddened" knuckles evokes a painful, tired body. The redness suggests irritation, both from physical exertion and perhaps from the emotional strain that the labor entails.
  • Alliteration: The repetition of the "r" sound mirrors the roughness of the woman’s hands, and the tough, repetitive nature of the domestic work she performs.
  • Allusion: The phrase evokes a sense of "hardness" and toughness, perhaps metaphorically indicating the emotional toll of her work. She has been worn down, physically and mentally.
• At saucepan, frying pan, cup and plate"

  • The listing of everyday household items conveys the ordinariness of the woman’s labor. These items are part of a daily routine, but together they highlight the repetitive, never-ending nature of domestic tasks.
  • Juxtaposition: The simple, familiar kitchen tools contrast with the harshness of the imagery ("scarred," "raw," "reddened"), indicating that the ordinary tools of home life have become associated with pain and hardship.
• "And giving love the only way she knew,"

  • This phrase emphasizes the theme of love as an act of caregiving or providing. The "only way she knew" implies limitations or constraints in her expression of love, suggesting that love was demonstrated through tangible, practical means rather than abstract or emotional ones.
  • Technique: The phrase highlights repetition or reliance on routine in the way love is expressed, drawing attention to the simple, everyday acts of care (cooking).
• "In each cheap cut of meat, in roast and stew,"

  • The adjectives "cheap" and "cut of meat" carry a sense of poverty or working-class existence. These words suggest a frugal lifestyle and hint at the idea of sacrifice—perhaps she couldn't afford luxury, but she still provided nourishment and care.
  • Technique: The use of list ("roast and stew") here reinforces the mundane, repetitive nature of the care she gives. The choice of food—plain, everyday meals—reflects the simplicity and practicality of her love.
• "Old-fashioned food she cooked and we ate;"

  • The idea of "old-fashioned" food indicates a certain nostalgia or possibly a connection to past traditions, suggesting the passage of time and the generational nature of this form of care.
  • Technique: Imagery is key here, as it brings to mind homely, perhaps comforting meals, and implies a connection to the past. It also sets a contrast between a bygone era of domesticity and the present moment.
• "And I saw that they had taken off her rings,"

  • "Taken off her rings" is significant, indicating a loss of status or identity, perhaps symbolizing a move from a time of wealth or importance to a time of decline or neglect.
  • Technique: Symbolism plays a role here. The rings could symbolize the mother's identity, personal history, or even love and commitment. Their removal could signify loss, aging, or the stripping away of superficial or material values.
• "The rings she'd kept once in her dressing-table drawer"

  • The "dressing-table drawer" is a highly domestic, private space, often associated with personal care and self-presentation. Its mention here creates a sense of intimacy, but also a sense of loss—these items have been tucked away, forgotten or neglected.
  • Technique: Juxtaposition occurs between the intimacy of the drawer (a place of personal memory and value) and its neglect. This suggests a broader theme of change or decline in relationships or memory.
• "With faded snapshots, long-forgotten things"

  • "Faded" and "long-forgotten" evoke a sense of decay, both physically and metaphorically. The fading snapshots represent memories that are no longer fresh or vivid, but have become distant and less significant.
  • Technique: Imagery (faded snapshots) and alliteration ("long-forgotten things") underscore the passage of time, the disintegration of the past, and the fading of emotional connections or memories. These words suggest a neglect of the past, as well as the inevitability of time and memory loss.
• "(Scent-sprays, tortoise-shell combs, a snap or two / From the time we took a holiday 'abroad')"

  • Evoke an image of past luxury or care. These objects, once perhaps signs of status or elegance, now seem trivial and insignificant in the present context.
  • These objects are markers of time and lost moments, which contrasts with the more present, practical imagery of food earlier in the passage. The mention of a holiday "abroad" adds a sense of lost opportunity or an idealized past that is now out of reach.
• "But lately had never been without, as if / She wanted everyone to know she was his wife / Only now that he was dead..."

  • "never been without" - strong attachment to something (likely her identity as his wife), and her connection to it becomes more pronounced after his death. This shift could symbolize her attempt to maintain control over how she is seen or remembered.
  • "as if / She wanted everyone to know she was his wife / Only now that he was dead" hints at a posthumous desire for recognition or validation, a subtle commentary on the social constructs around marriage, identity, and memory.
• "...And her watch? - / Classic ladies' model, gold strap - it was gone,"

  • "watch" could symbolize the passage of time or a connection to her past life with him. The watch, often a symbol of consistency, is now "gone," suggesting a shift in her life, either a literal or metaphorical one.
  • The "Classic ladies' model" and "gold strap" emphasize a sense of tradition, luxury, or social status. The absence of the watch could suggest a loss of those values or a rejection of the past.
• "And I'd never known her not have that on, / Not in all the years they sat together"

  • "I'd never known her not have that on" highlights the watch as a key symbol of her identity and constancy. The repetition of "never" adds emphasis, suggesting its long-standing importance.
  • "Not in all the years they sat together" reflects a routine, a stable part of her life, now broken. This line connects the watch to her relationship with her husband, suggesting that the watch has been a constant symbol of her role in their life together.
• "Watching soaps and game shows I'd disdain"

  • The mention of "soaps and game shows" evokes a sense of ordinariness or triviality, contrasting sharply with the more profound elements of life and death in the poem. This could be a critique of the couple’s way of spending time or a comment on the superficiality of routine life.
  • The speaker's "disdain" suggests a feeling of superiority or detachment, possibly revealing the speaker's complex relationship with the couple. This could imply a judgment on the simplicity or repetitiveness of their life together.
• "And not when my turn came to cook for her,"

  • The speaker's use of "my turn" highlights the cyclical or reciprocal nature of relationships, suggesting there is an expectation of reciprocity in caregiving or responsibility. The phrase also sets up a domestic scene, focusing on food preparation as an act of care, while implying a certain formality in the relationship, where tasks like cooking are divided.
• "Chops or chicken portions, English, bland,"

  • The adjectives “bland” and “English” are key. "Bland" could suggest an unadventurous, plain meal, emphasizing the speaker's (or the mother’s) simple tastes. The use of “English” highlights cultural specificity, positioning the meal as conventional and standard, evoking a sense of national identity and conservative values in the mother’s preferences. It contrasts with the "funny foreign stuff" mentioned later, hinting at a lack of curiosity about other cultures.
• "Familiar flavours she said she preferred"

  • The repetition of the word “flavours” further emphasizes the mother’s desire for comfort and familiarity, and could suggest that she clings to what is known, possibly due to fear or reluctance to embrace change.
  • Tone: The tone here is one of reluctant conformity. The mother’s preference for the familiar signals a lack of adventurousness or openness, creating a sense of limitation in her life and possibly a resistance to the evolving world around her.
• "To whatever 'funny foreign stuff' / Young people seemed to eat these days, she'd heard;"

  • Dismissive attitude toward foreign cuisine, highlighting generational and cultural divides. The use of "funny" implies discomfort or suspicion about new things, possibly pointing to xenophobia or a narrow worldview.
  • Indirect speech: The phrase "she’d heard" suggests that the mother is more passive or detached, not directly engaging with modern life but relying on secondhand opinions. This adds to her characterization as someone who does not engage actively with change.
• "Not all the weeks I didn't come, when she sat / Night after night and stared unseeing at / The television..."

  • The television symbolizes passivity, detachment, and possibly emotional isolation. Staring "unseeing" reflects an emotional numbness or disconnect from the world, possibly indicating depression, grief, or apathy. It could also symbolize the mother's inability to change or confront her emotions, instead passively consuming whatever is on the screen.
  • Repetition: Emphasizes the monotonous, repetitive nature of the mother’s existence, reinforcing her emotional stagnation and isolation.
• "...at her inner weather,"

  • "Inner weather" is a metaphor that symbolizes the emotional or mental state of the mother. This phrase suggests that, like weather, her internal state is unpredictable and possibly stormy. It evokes a sense of emotional turmoil or instability, perhaps revealing how the mother’s mental state is hard to understand or grasp, just as weather can be erratic and uncontrollable.
• "Heaved herself upright..."

  • The verb "heaved" conveys a sense of effort and strain. It suggests the physical and emotional burden the speaker feels. This choice hints at her weariness, perhaps of grief or emotional exhaustion, as she attempts to move on from the loss.
  • "Upright": The word "upright" contrasts the physical state of being bent or hunched, suggesting the idea of her making an effort to stand up or face life despite her emotional turmoil. It also suggests a sense of moral or emotional resolution.
• "...blinked..."

  • "Blinked" evokes a moment of disorientation or a pause in time, as if she is momentarily stunned or trying to adjust to her new reality. This could be a reaction to the reality of her loss or the difficulty of reconciling with it.
• "...and poured / Drink after drink..."

  • The repetition emphasizes her growing dependency on alcohol to cope with her emotions. It suggests a compulsive, perhaps even self-destructive, response to the grief she is feeling.
  • "Drink after drink": This phrase implies an escalating need to drink, indicating an inability to stop or control her drinking. It may also symbolize an attempt to numb or drown out her sorrow.
• "...gulped and stared..."

  • This verb implies urgency or desperation. The idea of gulping her drink suggests she is not savoring it but drinking it rapidly, possibly trying to escape her emotions or the weight of the situation.
  • "Stared": The juxtaposition of gulping and staring indicates a sense of numbness or detachment. After consuming the alcohol, she stares, perhaps vacantly, at her surroundings, which could symbolize her emotional numbness or inability to engage with reality after the loss of her partner.
• "...the scotch / That, when he was alive, she wouldn't touch,"

  • When he was alive, she may have avoided it for reasons of personal or moral conviction, but after his death, it becomes a coping mechanism, an attempt to feel close to him or to process the grief.
  • "When he was alive": This phrase serves as a marker of change, reminding the reader that the woman’s current actions are in direct contrast to how she acted when her husband was still living. It emphasizes the theme of loss and change, suggesting that her behaviors have shifted drastically after his death.
• "That was her way to be with him again;"

  • "Her way": This suggests a deeply personal, perhaps irrational or unconventional, method of coping. It shows that, in her grief, she is seeking solace or connection in a way that may not be healthy, but it is how she copes.
  • "Be with him again": This phrase reflects the depth of her mourning and her emotional need to reconnect with the deceased. Her drinking becomes a symbolic act of attempting to rekindle a lost relationship. It suggests a longing for the past, for the times when they were together.
• "Not later in the psychiatric ward,"

  • The phrase “not later” suggests a time after a significant event, which could imply a decline in the speaker's subject’s mental health or life trajectory. It hints at a future state of suffering, as the psychiatric ward is traditionally a place for mental health crises.
  • Word choice – "psychiatric ward": The psychiatric ward is a place where individuals are confined, which has connotations of isolation, helplessness, and institutionalization. This directly contrasts with the earlier, more active memories of the subject.
• "Where she blinked unseeing at the wall..."

  • "Blinked unseeing" conveys a sense of detachment and a lack of awareness or engagement with the world. The image of the wall is important because it suggests that the speaker's subject is passive, staring at a barrier, perhaps metaphorically implying a mental or emotional block.
  • Symbolism: The wall represents an obstacle between the woman and the outside world, a barrier to connection or understanding.
• "...the nurses / (Who would steal anything, she said)..."

  • This phrase could suggest a sense of paranoia or distrust, which may reflect the instability or anxiety of the subject’s mental state. Alternatively, it could hint at the harshness of the environment, where the subject feels surrounded by people who lack integrity or care.
  • The "she said" suggests that the perception of the nurses may be subjective. The phrase could highlight how the subject's views are filtered through her mental state, casting doubt on whether her judgment is accurate or distorted by her condition.
• "...and dreamt / Of when she was a girl, of the time before"

  • The reference to “dreamt” suggests that the subject is revisiting a time before her decline. The "time before" points to a time of innocence or happier memories, which contrasts sharply with the present reality of the psychiatric ward. This dreamlike, yearning quality suggests a longing for lost youth and a sense of identity before the illness or trauma.
  • Temporal contrast: The past is idealized, offering a stark contrast to the present, where the subject is isolated and detached from reality.
• "I was born, or grew up and learned contempt,"

  • Introduces the speaker’s perspective, which shifts from describing the subject’s mental state to a reflection on their own development. It suggests a loss of innocence or an emotional shift that led to bitterness or disillusionment.
  • Acknowledges the passage of time and the role their own growth and experiences played in the relationship dynamic.
  • The “contempt” implies an emotional breakdown between them, potentially rooted in the speaker's growth and the inevitable change in their relationship as they aged.
• "While some TV in the corner blared"

  • The verb “blared” conveys the intrusive, aggressive noise of the television. It suggests not just the sound but the overwhelming force of it, perhaps symbolizing the harshness of the environment the characters inhabit. The choice of this verb implies a lack of sensitivity or empathy in the setting.
• "To drown some 'poor soul's' moans and curses,"

  • The phrase “drown” suggests an attempt to silence or submerge something unpleasant, perhaps symbolizing an avoidance of the reality of suffering. The use of "some 'poor soul'" indicates a dehumanization of the individual; the quotation marks around "poor soul" suggest a sarcastic or dismissive tone, which may reflect how the speaker or the society views the person’s pain as insignificant. This highlights the neglect and isolation in the environment.
• "And she took her pills..."

  • The act of taking pills could symbolize a coping mechanism or a forced means of survival in a world that demands compliance with its own set of harsh rules. The lack of emotion or detail in the action might suggest a sense of detachment or numbness, emphasizing the mechanical, routine nature of existence in this environment.
• "...and blinked and stared"

  • The repetition of simple, involuntary actions (“blinked” and “stared”) creates a sense of listlessness or mental disengagement. This highlights the speaker's emotional or mental state, possibly indicating a kind of stupor or helplessness. The lack of agency or intention in these actions may reflect the character's apathy or the oppressive nature of the world around them.
• "As the others shuffled round, and drooled, and swore..."

  • The verbs “shuffled,” “drooled,” and “swore” are loaded with negative connotations, implying physical decay and a loss of dignity. Contribute to a sense of infantilization or degradation of the people being described. The repetition of monosyllabic, harsh verbs also emphasizes a lack of vitality or purpose in their movements and behavior. The inclusion of “swore” adds an element of defiance or frustration, but the contrast with the other actions ("shuffled" and "drooled") may suggest a futile or impotent form of rebellion.