Identity

 

 

How does the speaker in 'I come from' create a sense of identity?

 

 

Identity for the speaker is created in the poem 'I come from' through the use of personal touches such as places, family members, the speakers education and memories. In my opinion Robert Seatter wrote the poem in a scrapbook format to provide the reader with the speakers view and opinions on life. The poem is very personal to the speaker as it allows us to see what they see and feel towards the area they belong to.

 

The poem starts with the speaker describing what intrigues him/her on the platform while waiting for the train. By describing every detail the speaker sees, 'from smashed windows, graffiti, fog on the platform, skinheads and fights' we get to see through the speakers eyes as if we were there to. This technique allows the reader to connect with the speaker. For example, in line eight and nine the speaker is talking about something everyone can relate to. 'dinner money, God please and sorry one hundred times over,'  this line stood out to me as I can picture the speaker asking for dinner money and apologising for braking the rules. This creates an identity for the speaker as they are mentioning memorable objects and personal experiences.

 

The speaker mentions their education from line eleven to fourteen, this suggests we are given insight into the speakers memory of school and what they thought of learning and teachers. The line 'I come from Chambers Etymological dictionary,' implies the speaker is smart and enjoys learning, it also shows identity as the speaker is sharing their view and creating a persona for him/herself. The line 'an Orkney grandfather, a Shropshire grandma from no accent at all' creates identity for the speaker are they are describing family members that are important to them. By adding on 'from no accent at all' shows the speaker is creating an intimate image of their life as little details are found within the poem.

 

The speaker also talks about their father, 'from my father mowing the lawn into the dark, from fences, walls, gates and hedges' this small detail of his father mowing the grass highlights the speaker has an identity. By adding small details about the speakers garden it becomes personal as the reader can picture what the speaker can see.Identity for the speaker is also created by the use of places; London and Scotland. By relating back to places, the speaker is giving the reader detailed information on their life.

 

Overall, the speaker creates a sense of identity in the poem 'I come from' by adding detail and personal touches to the poem. For example, 'Cuthbert's seed packets, the perfect small garden from the sound through the night of trains, trains, trains' is describing in great design what happens during the night in the speaker's garden, by naming the seed packet and explaining the sound of trains at night highlights the speakers imagination and personality. By doing this the reader can create a persona of the speaker and understand what the speaker sees and remembers in their life.