Title - Genetics

• The Title 'Genetics' is primarily associated with the science of genes & heredity, Morrissey grounds her poem in the biological reality that our physical and, to some extent, psychological traits are inherited from our parents
• The Title 'Genetics' immediately directs the reader's attention to the concept of genetic inheritance - It primes the reader to consider how the physical features and perhaps even the behavioural traits of the speaker are a direct result of her parents' genetic contribution
• The Title 'Genetics' imbues deeply personal and emotional significance, the poem moves beyond the biological implications to explore the emotional and psychological impact of genetic inheritance
• The Title 'Genetics' prompts readers to think about how genetics contribute to personal identity - The poem reflects on how the speaker sees her parents in her own hands, suggesting that her sense of self is intertwined with her genetic makeup
• The Title 'Genetics' also evokes the connections and bonds within a family; despite the parents' separation, the genetic link remains, symbolizing an unbreakable connection that persists through the speaker
• The Title 'Genetics' also carries symbolic weight, suggesting themes of unity, continuity, and the passage of traits and characteristics from one generation to the next
• The Title 'Genetics' prompts the idea of Unity & Separation, the poem juxtaposes the physical unity of genetics with the emotional separation of the parents - The title highlights this tension, suggesting that despite physical or emotional distance, a genetic connection remain
• The Title 'Genetics' addresses ideas of Nature vs. Nurture, Morrissey opens up a dialogue about the roles of nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) in shaping who we are; the poem subtly hints at how both genetic inheritance and personal experiences (such as the parents' separation) contribute to the speaker's identity