What is the meaning of Aunt Julia by Norman Maccaig?

Answer 1

Aunt Julia by Norman McCaig

This poem denotes the childhood memories McCaig has.We get a clear, vivid and detail picture of an important figure in his life, his aunt Julia.He reminisces about her because we find out in the final stanza she is dead.He clearly tells the reader on many occasions he does not understand what she says due to Gaelic however for him to understand and observed her welll we get an impression that he has an almost magical and spiritual relationship with his aunt.

Some people may say that poem denotes his passion for scottish heritage and anger for loss of it as time moves on.They ay that aunt Julia is a symbol of the scottish lifestyle, culture and language which is disappearing in the modern world.The moral he is impliyin is once it is gone like aunt Julia it has gone forever.

McCaig has clearly shown to the reader the random nature of human thought when he is remembering his dearest aunt.He has written this poem to enetertain but the implication suggests to make the reder question themselve what can they do to protect the scottish heritage.

One can indentify this poem portrays the random nature of human thought becauseit is written in a free verse style consisting of irregular stanzas.Although, one must appriciate the litery devices used to create such a vivid image in our minds. He uses descriptive words and phrases which appeal to all senses sight, sound, touch , smell and taste.This show the nature of observation and this observation and random nature of thoughts has made the reader more close to McCaig himself as it is his voice in the poem.By far one the most effective device he used is the list of three metaphors on stanza four.This metaphors make the reader invovled with aunt Julia almost like an interaction.In the metaphors he has also used personification. the use of the word 'flouncing' which personifies the water must also be noted that this human attribute given to the water is an attribute of Aunt Julia, this is what makes this poem such a successful poem.There are many other devices and images used but i feel that what i have said already is enough to give you tasted to this marvellous and harmanius poem which is highly emotive.