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By Michele Roberts Ideas To Develop Your Understanding
By Michele Roberts Ideas To Develop Your Understanding
8. The mother seems to contradict herself quite often: e.g. ‘I love you, I love you so much’ (line 200), but she also
says: ‘I’ve always thought of you as just an empty-headed blonde’ (line 99). Highlight the contradictions in your
text, and then write a paragraph exploring and attempting to explain them.
9. We only hear the mother’s voice in this story, but we are made aware of the views of other characters. What
views and opinions are held by the daughter and the husband? Write them carefully in your exercise book in list
form. What do these opinions tell us about these characters?
10. What do the following sentences tell us about the mother?
‘I locked the wardrobe door on those rebellious shoes’ Line 12
‘At least this paper has ruled lines my writing can’t fall off’ Lines 24-6
‘I’ve tied the shoes’ laces together so they won’t get separated or lost. White laces that I’ve
washed and ironed’ Lines 34-6
‘My daughter sleeping on a pile of filth I can’t bear it.’ Line 92
‘I hold you to my breast and rock you like my mother never rocked me’ Lines 194-5
11. During the story the mother gives the shoes a variety of roles. Mark on your text every time they are personified
or referred to, and try to identify their significance at that point.
12. What themes and ideas do you think the writer might be trying to explore in this text? Write a paragraph
explaining your opinions.
Further reading:
To develop your understanding of some of the ideas in this text I suggest that you read Junk by Melvin Burgess and
Stone Cold by Robert Swindells. The Beatles’ song ‘She’s Leaving Home’ also looks at these issues. A ‘difficult’
parent/child relationship is also articulated in Eminem’s track ‘Clearing Out My Closet’.