Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level – Excellence in English Language and Literature
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This poem would fi t well into a collection of poetry about relationships, genetics or parents and children.
As the title suggests, the topic of the poem is genetics. This is the starting point for the poet’s exploration of her parents’ relationship. When she notices that she is a blend of both her parents – ‘My father’s in my fi ngers, but my mother’s in my palms’ – the poet realises that she is the physical representation of their relationship. Even though they may be ‘repelled to separate lands’, they are together forever in her.
The poem also shows the need for children to believe in their parents’ love for one another, even if that love is long gone. The poet’s parents may ‘sleep with other lovers’ and live in ‘separate hemispheres’ but she is a permanent reminder that they once were so in love that they decided to commit to marriage: ‘My body is their marriage register/I re-enact their wedding with my hands’.
1. What does the poet mean when she says ‘My body is their marriage register’?
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2. Do you think the fact that this poem is structured as a villanelle is important? Explain your answer with reference to the poem.
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3. Which of the following words would you choose to describe the language used by the poet in this poem? You may choose more than one word if you wish.
Optimistic Pessimistic Realistic Explain your answer with reference to the poem.
4. Think about the title of this poem (Genetics) and answer the following questions. – What do you think the title means? – Suggest a different title for the poem. Explain your choice.
