Genetics

• Themes


  • Family and inheritance
  • Marriage and relationships
  • Identity
  • Society and culture
• Structure


  • ‘Genetics’ has a rhyme scheme, with the final word of each stanza rhyming with the final word of the first line in the next stanza, creating the idea of a link
  • This would be quite noticeable to a reader as the poem continues, and would likely to be thought of in relation to the idea of a joining factor, the narrator, which still exists despite the separation of the parents.
  • rhyme scheme is somewhat ‘forced’ because of the repetition of words to make patterns perhaps realising that this link between the mother and father is likely to have not been maintained without the narrator.
• “repelled to separate lands”

  • The idea of being “repelled” can be seen as having negative connotations, both through the idea of backing away and retreating, and the actual actions which would encourage an individual to do so. the word is often used for different circumstances, such as war, or something physically rather than emotionally based.
  • Also referring to locations as “lands” indicates extreme distance, demonstrating the extent to the breakdown of the relationship.
• “who quarry for their image”

  • Using  “quarry” may initially seem a strange description, but can be interpreted as sounding similar to ‘quarrel’ which can in turn be understood as referencing the impact of the relationship breakdown on other people, such as their friends.
  • The idea of arguing over, or even searching and trying to discover “their image” shows how these people are perhaps searching for something that was once present, as in the relationship, which can no longer be found or agreed upon.
• “I shape a chapel where a steeple stands”


  • An important part of ‘Genetics’ is the relation to ideas of the church and marriage, including this description of the narrator making a shape of a steeple using their hands, which originates from the ‘Here is the church’ nursery rhyme and actions.
  • This childlike behaviour would perhaps create more sympathy for the narrator from a reader, as it shows that separation can impact on an individual no matter their age, and can have a lasting impact.