This is a comprehensive analysis of the poem I Have My Father's Voice by Chris van Wyk. It includes an analysis of the poem's structure, language, imagery, movement, intentions, themes, tones, and sounds, as well as a line-by-line analysis, overall analysis, and thorough annotations. My notes inclu...
Free verse – informal, conversational, anecdotal, relaxed
Disorganised structure, and lack of rhyme scheme and regular rhythm reflects randomness
of memory and recollection of fragmented memories
Stanzas used to represent/discuss different aspects of his relationship with his father
o Stanza 1: description of the mannerisms that are shared between the father and the
son
o His experiences growing up with his father
o The impact his father had on him
Language
The speaker is the poet – uses 1st person pronouns
Anaphora – poetic device where a word is repeated three times
Colloquial register
Tenses
o Stanza 1: present tense – focus on the ‘now’, speakers point of view
o Stanza 2: past tense – remembers his childhood
o Stanza 3: past tense
o Stanza 4: present tense – sense of immediacy
o Stanza 5: present tense
Movement
No fixed rhyme scheme
Imagery
Domestic – laundry
Fairy tale – Jack and the Beanstalk
Senses are engaged: sound, sight, touch (visceral response to memories)
Intention
Autobiographical
To comment on the process and discipline required to write poetry
To discuss:
o Similarities he shares with his father
o His experiences growing up with his father
o The impact his father had on him
Message: no matter how many characteristics one inherits from one’s parents, one is an
individual and has one’s own mode of expression
A tribute to the poet’s father – a flawed man who unconsciously taught his son to use his
emotions in a constructive/creative manner (sympathy and respect for the father)
Themes
Inheritance and legacy
o Normally positive connotations
, Notes by Roxanne Willemse
o Inheriting trauma – blames father for his anger issues but tries to redirect to see
shared traits as positive
Familial relationships and childhood/adolescence
Tone
Ironic, introspective, earnest
Stanza 2: humorous, affectionately light-hearted
Stanza 3: nostalgia
Stanza 4: nostalgia, frustration
Alternatively: accusatory (blaming father for conflict in the household)
Sounds
Use of phonic devices reinforces his word choice
Alliteration of ‘a’
Assonance of ‘ai’ sound
Line by Line Analysis
Title
Declaration/statement that implies the speaker has inherited a character trait/physical
connection to his father
Assumption that the poem will be about identity, sense of self, exploration of father-son
relationship
Lines 1-10 (Stanza 1)
Speaker reflects on how his childhood has influenced him
Description of the mannerisms that are shared between father and son – the speaker
acknowledges these similarities
Similarities between father and son:
o Describes how they ‘fill the same spaces’ physically
o Sit alike at the table
o Laugh in the same way (positive connotations)
‘through his father’s eyes’ – indicates a close relationship because he is able to put himself in
his father’s shoes/see from his perspective
‘guffaw’ – choice of diction: loud, raucous and hearty laugh that does not hold anything
back, both men do not hold back on their emotions (expression)
Shares idiosyncrasies – views similarities fondly
‘I know’ – placed at end of line, emphasizes words as main idea of the sentence
Lines 11-15 (Stanza 2)
Speaker uses humour in description of himself – ‘pigeon-toed’, ‘scribble’ (self-deprecating)
Father’s strictness is highlighted
Childhood memories that reflect the awkwardness of youth
Father’s tone of voice: commanding - giving orders, wants things done and son must do
them, father used his voice as a tool or weapon
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