"Close" explores the messy reality of toxic relationships and sexual... Show more
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
17
•
6 Dec 2025
•
Analysis of the Poem 'Close'
Hannah G
@hannahg_
1 / 3
Understanding "Close" - Key Themes and Messages
This poem dives straight into the uncomfortable truth about toxic relationships and how they differ from healthy love. The speaker reflects on a relationship that's both intimate and destructive, showing how love can become possessive and controlling rather than nurturing.
The poem explores different types of love - from innocent childhood connections to complex adult relationships involving sexual desire and emotional manipulation. You'll notice how the speaker seems trapped between wanting closeness and recognising the relationship's harmful nature.
Key themes include sexual intimacy (through semantic fields), the contrast between innocence and experience, and how chance or fate can feel like it controls our romantic lives. The poem also touches on deception and the death of innocence that occurs in toxic relationships.
Remember: The title "Close" has double meaning - physical proximity and the ending (closure) of relationships.
Language Techniques and Structure
The poet uses imperative verbs like "Undress" and "Dress again" to show the controlling, possessive nature of the relationship. These commands suggest someone has power over their partner, creating an uncomfortable dynamic.
Collective pronouns like "we" initially suggest unity, but the poem shifts between "I" and "you," showing how the relationship creates both connection and division. The personification of objects (like the room that "trembles") reflects the instability and fear within the relationship.
The semantic field of gambling appears in "A coin falls from the bedside table, spinning its heads and tails. How the hell can I win. How can I lose?" This shows how the speaker feels they have no control over the relationship's outcome - it's all left to chance.
The poem uses five-line stanzas with enjambment that mimics natural speech, as if someone's reflecting and rambling about their experiences. This structure gives a sense of time passing and relationships changing.
Top tip: Notice how the fragmented sentences create a rhythmic break that mirrors the emotional confusion in toxic relationships.
Comparison and Analysis Focus
For your exams, you'll likely compare "Close" with other relationship poems. It pairs well with "Valentine" (both explore different types of love and possessiveness) and "First Love" (both look back on past relationships, contrasting good and bad experiences).
The shifting grammatical perspectives (from "we" to "I" to "you") show how relationships can make you feel unified one moment and completely isolated the next. This technique helps you understand the speaker's confusion and emotional turmoil.
The poem's confessional tone suggests someone trying to make sense of a clandestine love affair filled with desire and guilt. The speaker seems to be processing their loss of innocence and the realisation that not all love is healthy or beneficial.
Key quotes to remember: "we take each other to bits/to stare at our heart" (intimacy that's destructive rather than nurturing) and "homeless" (feeling lost and insecure despite physical closeness).
Exam insight: Focus on how the poem shows love as potentially toxic rather than always positive - this gives you a mature perspective for essay responses.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Analysis of the Poem 'Close'
Hannah G
@hannahg_
"Close" explores the messy reality of toxic relationships and sexual intimacy. The poem examines possessive love, the loss of innocence, and how some relationships can leave you feeling powerless and confused.
Understanding "Close" - Key Themes and Messages
This poem dives straight into the uncomfortable truth about toxic relationships and how they differ from healthy love. The speaker reflects on a relationship that's both intimate and destructive, showing how love can become possessive and controlling rather than nurturing.
The poem explores different types of love - from innocent childhood connections to complex adult relationships involving sexual desire and emotional manipulation. You'll notice how the speaker seems trapped between wanting closeness and recognising the relationship's harmful nature.
Key themes include sexual intimacy (through semantic fields), the contrast between innocence and experience, and how chance or fate can feel like it controls our romantic lives. The poem also touches on deception and the death of innocence that occurs in toxic relationships.
Remember: The title "Close" has double meaning - physical proximity and the ending (closure) of relationships.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Language Techniques and Structure
The poet uses imperative verbs like "Undress" and "Dress again" to show the controlling, possessive nature of the relationship. These commands suggest someone has power over their partner, creating an uncomfortable dynamic.
Collective pronouns like "we" initially suggest unity, but the poem shifts between "I" and "you," showing how the relationship creates both connection and division. The personification of objects (like the room that "trembles") reflects the instability and fear within the relationship.
The semantic field of gambling appears in "A coin falls from the bedside table, spinning its heads and tails. How the hell can I win. How can I lose?" This shows how the speaker feels they have no control over the relationship's outcome - it's all left to chance.
The poem uses five-line stanzas with enjambment that mimics natural speech, as if someone's reflecting and rambling about their experiences. This structure gives a sense of time passing and relationships changing.
Top tip: Notice how the fragmented sentences create a rhythmic break that mirrors the emotional confusion in toxic relationships.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Comparison and Analysis Focus
For your exams, you'll likely compare "Close" with other relationship poems. It pairs well with "Valentine" (both explore different types of love and possessiveness) and "First Love" (both look back on past relationships, contrasting good and bad experiences).
The shifting grammatical perspectives (from "we" to "I" to "you") show how relationships can make you feel unified one moment and completely isolated the next. This technique helps you understand the speaker's confusion and emotional turmoil.
The poem's confessional tone suggests someone trying to make sense of a clandestine love affair filled with desire and guilt. The speaker seems to be processing their loss of innocence and the realisation that not all love is healthy or beneficial.
Key quotes to remember: "we take each other to bits/to stare at our heart" (intimacy that's destructive rather than nurturing) and "homeless" (feeling lost and insecure despite physical closeness).
Exam insight: Focus on how the poem shows love as potentially toxic rather than always positive - this gives you a mature perspective for essay responses.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
1
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay
Similar content
Wordsworth's Westminster Bridge
Explore the serene beauty and emotional depth of William Wordsworth's poem 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge'. This analysis delves into the themes of tranquility, nature, and the contrast between urban life and peaceful moments. Ideal for students studying Romantic poetry, this summary highlights key imagery and emotional resonance within the text.
English Language10
Sybil Birling Analysis
Explore key quotes and character insights on Sybil Birling from J.B. Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls'. This summary delves into her privileged, judgmental nature and the themes of class and morality. Ideal for students studying character development and social critique in literature.
English Language10
Never Go Back: Poetic Analysis
Explore the themes of regret, memory, and the harsh realities of the past in the poem 'Never Go Back.' This analysis includes key quotes, language techniques, and thematic comparisons with works like 'Nostalgia' and 'Mean Time.' Ideal for students seeking a deeper understanding of the poem's emotional landscape and narrative structure.
English Language12
Exploring The Biographer
Dive into the themes of obsession, identity, and the complexities of biographical writing in 'The Biographer'. This analysis includes key quotes, language techniques, and thematic comparisons with other works like 'Valentine' and 'Mean Time'. Perfect for students studying poetry and identity in literature.
English Language12
Stylistic Analysis Techniques
Explore the intricacies of stylistic analysis in opinion pieces with this detailed examination of language use, persuasive techniques, and reader engagement. This resource focuses on the narrative and descriptive elements of a non-fiction text, highlighting how lexical choices and syntactical structures create meaning and influence audience perception. Ideal for students preparing for English Language assessments.
English Language12
Eric Birling Insights
Explore key quotes and insights from Eric Birling in 'An Inspector Calls'. This summary highlights his character traits, including his struggles with responsibility, empathy, and the impact of his actions on others. Ideal for students studying character development and themes in the play.
English Language10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user