The Émigréeby Carol Rumens is a poignant exploration of... Show more
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Harry
15/07/2025
English Literature
The Emigree
Key Quotations and Comparisons
The Emigree Key Quotes provide insight into the poem's central themes and the speaker's emotional state. Each quotation serves a specific purpose in conveying the poem's message and atmosphere.
Quote: "I comb its hair and love its shining eyes"
This personification intensifies the speaker's love and affection towards the city, evoking a sense of patriotism and childlike innocence. The image of combing hair suggests a tender, nurturing relationship with the memory of the place.
Quote: "My city"
The use of the possessive pronoun "my" conveys the speaker's deep admiration for and pride in her city. This simple phrase encapsulates the strong sense of belonging and ownership the speaker feels towards her homeland, despite being physically separated from it.
Quote: "It may be sick with tyrants..."
This personification emphasizes the speaker's dislike for the current political situation in her city. By describing the city as "sick," the poem suggests that the tyrannical rule is a disease afflicting an otherwise beloved place.
Quote: "The white streets"
The use of light and color imagery highlights the overwhelmingly positive nature of the speaker's memories. The whiteness suggests purity, innocence, and perhaps a blank canvas onto which the speaker projects her idealized recollections.
Quote: "I have no passport..."
This mysterious language hints at the speaker's possible exile status, adding a layer of political complexity to the poem's emotional landscape.
The Emigree analysis can be enriched by comparing it to other poems that explore similar themes:
- Power of place: "London" by William Blake "The Prelude" by William Wordsworth
- Conflicting emotions: "Bayonet Charge" by Ted Hughes "Poppies" by Jane Weir
- Power of identity: "Checking Out Me History" by John Agard "Kamikaze" by Beatrice Garland
These comparisons help to contextualize The Émigrée within a broader literary tradition of exploring place, memory, and identity in poetry.
The Émigrée: Summary and Context
The Émigrée poem analysis reveals a deeply personal exploration of memory and identity. Carol Rumens, an English poet known for writing about other countries, crafts a narrative voice that reflects on a childhood city left behind. The poem's context is crucial to understanding its themes and emotional resonance.
Definition: An émigré is a person who has left their own country to settle in another, typically for political reasons.
The speaker's recollections are overwhelmingly positive, tinged with a nostalgic glow that persists despite the implied political turmoil and danger in her homeland. This juxtaposition of fond memories and harsh realities forms the core tension of the poem.
Highlight: The poem's structure reflects the fragmented nature of memory and the disrupted state of the speaker's homeland.
Key structural elements include:
- Lack of rhythm and rhyme, mirroring the war-torn state of the city
- Use of caesura, giving readers time to process the emotional weight of exile
- Regular stanzas, symbolizing the speaker's refusal to let disruption overpower her memories
- Enjambment, emphasizing the overflow of emotion and affection for the city
The poem explores several key concepts:
- Danger and bravery in the face of political upheaval
- The innocence and sweetness of childhood memories
- The power of memory and nostalgia to preserve positive experiences
Quote: "The bright filled paperweight" serves as a metaphor for the strength and solidity of the speaker's memories.
The Émigrée themes encompass the complexities of exile, the enduring nature of childhood impressions, and the struggle to maintain a connection to one's roots in the face of separation and change.
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Samantha Klich
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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
The Émigrée Poem Analysis and Summary for GCSE
The Émigréeby Carol Rumens is a poignant exploration of memory, nostalgia, and the enduring power of childhood experiences. The poem delves into the speaker's vivid recollections of a city she left as a child, highlighting the contrast between her... Show more
Key Quotations and Comparisons
The Emigree Key Quotes provide insight into the poem's central themes and the speaker's emotional state. Each quotation serves a specific purpose in conveying the poem's message and atmosphere.
Quote: "I comb its hair and love its shining eyes"
This personification intensifies the speaker's love and affection towards the city, evoking a sense of patriotism and childlike innocence. The image of combing hair suggests a tender, nurturing relationship with the memory of the place.
Quote: "My city"
The use of the possessive pronoun "my" conveys the speaker's deep admiration for and pride in her city. This simple phrase encapsulates the strong sense of belonging and ownership the speaker feels towards her homeland, despite being physically separated from it.
Quote: "It may be sick with tyrants..."
This personification emphasizes the speaker's dislike for the current political situation in her city. By describing the city as "sick," the poem suggests that the tyrannical rule is a disease afflicting an otherwise beloved place.
Quote: "The white streets"
The use of light and color imagery highlights the overwhelmingly positive nature of the speaker's memories. The whiteness suggests purity, innocence, and perhaps a blank canvas onto which the speaker projects her idealized recollections.
Quote: "I have no passport..."
This mysterious language hints at the speaker's possible exile status, adding a layer of political complexity to the poem's emotional landscape.
The Emigree analysis can be enriched by comparing it to other poems that explore similar themes:
- Power of place: "London" by William Blake "The Prelude" by William Wordsworth
- Conflicting emotions: "Bayonet Charge" by Ted Hughes "Poppies" by Jane Weir
- Power of identity: "Checking Out Me History" by John Agard "Kamikaze" by Beatrice Garland
These comparisons help to contextualize The Émigrée within a broader literary tradition of exploring place, memory, and identity in poetry.
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
The Émigrée: Summary and Context
The Émigrée poem analysis reveals a deeply personal exploration of memory and identity. Carol Rumens, an English poet known for writing about other countries, crafts a narrative voice that reflects on a childhood city left behind. The poem's context is crucial to understanding its themes and emotional resonance.
Definition: An émigré is a person who has left their own country to settle in another, typically for political reasons.
The speaker's recollections are overwhelmingly positive, tinged with a nostalgic glow that persists despite the implied political turmoil and danger in her homeland. This juxtaposition of fond memories and harsh realities forms the core tension of the poem.
Highlight: The poem's structure reflects the fragmented nature of memory and the disrupted state of the speaker's homeland.
Key structural elements include:
- Lack of rhythm and rhyme, mirroring the war-torn state of the city
- Use of caesura, giving readers time to process the emotional weight of exile
- Regular stanzas, symbolizing the speaker's refusal to let disruption overpower her memories
- Enjambment, emphasizing the overflow of emotion and affection for the city
The poem explores several key concepts:
- Danger and bravery in the face of political upheaval
- The innocence and sweetness of childhood memories
- The power of memory and nostalgia to preserve positive experiences
Quote: "The bright filled paperweight" serves as a metaphor for the strength and solidity of the speaker's memories.
The Émigrée themes encompass the complexities of exile, the enduring nature of childhood impressions, and the struggle to maintain a connection to one's roots in the face of separation and change.
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