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In Which the Ancient History I Learn Is Not My Own

In Which the Ancient History I Learn Is Not My Own. By Eavan Boland. Vocab, allusions, references. Kashmir Kent Cross-grained 1. having an irregular, transverse, or diagonal grain 2. troublesome, cantankerous, or stubborn 1952 – Great Smog or Big Smoke. Quality / color words.

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In Which the Ancient History I Learn Is Not My Own

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  1. In Which the Ancient History I Learn Is Not My Own By Eavan Boland

  2. Vocab, allusions, references • Kashmir • Kent • Cross-grained • 1. having an irregular, transverse, or diagonal grain • 2. troublesome, cantankerous, or stubborn • 1952 – Great Smog or Big Smoke

  3. Quality / color words The linen map hung from the wall. The linen was shiny and crackedin places. The cracks were darkened by grime.

  4. It was fastened to the classroom wall with a wooden batten on a triangle of knotted cotton.

  5. Indirect Allusions / references Quality / color words The colours were faded out so the red of Empire – the stain of absolute possession – the mark once made from Kashmir to the oast-barns of the Kent coast south of us was underwater coral.

  6. Indirect Allusions / references Ireland was far away And farther away Every year. I was nearly an English child. I could list the English kings. I could name the famous battles. I was learning to recognise God’s grace in history.

  7. Quality / color words And the waters Of the Irish sea, Their shallow weave And cross-grained blue green Had drained away To the pale gaze Of a doll’s china eyes – A stare without recognition or memory.

  8. Indirect Allusions / references We have no oracles, No rocks or olive trees, No sacred path to the temple And no priestesses. The teacher’s voice had a London accent. This was London. 1952. It was Ancient History Class. She put the tip

  9. Of the wooden Pointer on the map. She tapped over ridges and dried – Out rivers and cities buried in The sea and sea-scapes which Had once been land. And stopped. Remember this, children.

  10. Inarguables • Context: • Later in Boland’s career • Similar tone • Feminist undertones • Irish history • Free verse • Prose: The speaker expresses regret and dissatisfaction with the suppression of her culture that she feels in her history class.

  11. Arguables • Great Smog of ‘52 • Feminism! • Man’s history • China doll • Emphasize difference between Ireland and England • Italicized portions • Irony

  12. Literary Features • Irony • Imagery • Allusions • Tone • Disturbing, unsettling

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