Page 2: Exploring Identity Through Language

The second page delves deeper into the speaker's internal dialogue and her connection to her mother's language. The repetition of "what like is it" serves as a linguistic anchor, tying the speaker to her roots even as she moves away.

Quote: "For miles I have been saying what like is it."

This line emphasizes the comfort the speaker finds in repeating her mother's sayings, creating a verbal talisman against the uncertainty of her journey.

Duffy masterfully uses contradictions to illustrate the speaker's complex emotional state:

Definition: Contradiction - A combination of statements, ideas, or features which are opposed to one another, used here to reflect the speaker's mixed feelings.

"Nothing is silent. Nothing is not silent." This paradoxical statement underscores the persistent influence of the past on the present, even in moments of apparent quiet.

The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone, with the speaker acknowledging her conflicted emotions:

Highlight: "I am happy and sad" directly states the speaker's emotional duality, capturing the essence of leaving home.

Duffy employs a powerful simile to describe the speaker's state of mind:

Quote: "like a child who stood at the end of summer / and dipped a net in a green, erotic pond."

This vivid imagery combines innocence ("child," "green") with maturity ("erotic"), encapsulating the threshold between childhood and adulthood that the speaker is crossing.

Page 3: Reconciliation and Acceptance

The final page of "The Way My Mother Speaks" brings the poem full circle, returning to the repeated phrase "The day and ever" as a comforting refrain. This repetition serves as a linguistic bridge between the speaker's past and present, offering solace in familiarity.

Highlight: The triple repetition of "The day and ever" emphasizes its importance as a mantra-like phrase for the speaker.

The poem culminates in a powerful statement of self-awareness and acceptance:

Quote: "I am homesick, free, in love with the way my mother speaks"

This line encapsulates the central themes of the poem:

1. Homesickness - acknowledging the pull of the familiar
2. Freedom - embracing the journey into independence
3. Love for maternal language - recognizing the enduring influence of one's roots

Duffy's use of seemingly contradictory terms ("homesick" and "free") highlights the complex nature of growing up and leaving home. The speaker has come to terms with her dual identity, shaped by her past but moving towards her future.

Definition: Homesick - Experiencing a longing for one's home during a period of absence from it.

The poem's conclusion affirms the speaker's appreciation for her linguistic heritage. By declaring her love for her mother's way of speaking, she acknowledges the powerful role that language plays in shaping identity and maintaining connections to one's origins.

This final sentiment resonates strongly with readers, particularly those who have experienced the bittersweet process of leaving home and forging their own path while carrying the indelible marks of their upbringing.