The Emigrée
This page analyzes "The Emigrée" by Carol Rumens, a poem that explores themes of memory, exile, and the enduring power of childhood impressions. The poem is written from the perspective of someone who left their home country at a young age.
Vocabulary: Emigrée - A woman who has left her own country to settle in another, typically for political reasons.
The analysis focuses on the speaker's idealized memories of their homeland, represented through imagery of light and whiteness. The poem uses personification to bring the city to life and emphasize the speaker's emotional connection to it.
Quote: "my city takes me dancing through the city of walls"
This line illustrates the contrast between the speaker's joyful memories and the current reality of the city, possibly under an oppressive regime.
The page discusses the poem's exploration of language and identity, noting how the speaker's mother tongue has been banned but remains a powerful connection to their past. The analysis also highlights the poem's theme of defiance against political oppression and the power of personal memory to resist official narratives.
Highlight: The poem suggests that positive memories can persist even in the face of negative news or propaganda about one's homeland.
The page notes the use of repetition and color imagery to reinforce the speaker's unwavering positive view of their city, despite acknowledging that it may be "at war" or "sick with tyrants."