Aunt Julia

• "Very loud and very fast"


  The repetition of "Very" emphasises how Aunt Julia wasn't shy and highlights just how noisy and quickly she would speak
• "I could not answer her – I could not understand her."


  The repetition of "I could not" highlights how frustrated MacCaig felt about his lack of ability to communicate with his aunt.
• "She wore men’s boots"


  She was quirky and unusual
• "Marvellously out of the air."


  The word choice of "Marvellously"highlights how MacCaig admired and was in awe of his Aunt.
• "She was buckets" 


  This is one of many metaphors which compares has aunt with things to do with nature, she is so connected with nature that she has become part of it.
• "And a keeper of threepennybits In a tea pot."


  Although she worked hard she did not have much money.
• "By the time I had learned A little, she lay Silenced"


  By the time MacCaig had learnt some Gaelic it was already to late he could no longer communicate with her
• "And getting angry, getting angry With so many questions unanswered."


  The repetition of "getting angry" really emphasises just how frustrated and angry MacCaig felt that he was never able to communicate with his aunt and now it is too late.
• "Where I’ve lain at night In the absolute darkness"


  The word choice of "darkness" has connotations of evil, fear and scared however, despit the darkness at Aunt Julias house MacCaig felt safe and secure.