Letters from Yorkshire, Maura Dooley

• Context


  ● Dooley born in Cornwall, lived in London, Bristol, Yorkshire: disparity between rural and urban life shown + communication theme could be influenced by her connections

  ● Wrote it in 2002, in a cramped london flat
• ‘The first lapwings return'


  allusion to spring, hope for their relationship, his connection to nature’s cycles
• ‘Knuckles singing’, ‘blank screen’


  personification shows delight, contrast between their lifestyles, hers seems lifeless
• Reddened in the warmth’ ‘in the cold’


  colour imagery while hinting at negativity. Use of weather, juxtaposition
• 'Word of that other world’


  alliteration and assonance - sound similar but aren’t - close but not really, highlights rural + urban difference
• ‘Pouring air and light into an envelope’


  romanticising his lifestyle, imagery shows she feels trapped
• ‘Souls tap out messages across the icy miles’

  spiritual language - deep and meaningful connection, doesn’t like living far but communication gets her through it
• 'seasons turning’ 


  Enjambment reflects ‘seasons turning’ + emphasises communicative speech as a poem
• Themes And Comparison


  ● Distance: MOTHER ANY DISTANCE- emotional vs physical, needs distance vs bridging distance, strong bond, element of birds and nature ● Longing, nature: FOLLOWER - desire for other lifestyle (admiration vs contrasts), connection to nature (birds vs nautical imagery)