I Shall Paint My Nails Red by Carole Satyamurti

I Shall Paint My Nails Red by Carole Satyamurti Narrative Summary The poem depicts the personality of the narrator, wherein the process of painting her nails red reflects upon her inner identity as a woman and as a mother. Technique

Quote(s)

Intended Effect

Repetition

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“Because a bit of colour…Because I am proud of my hands”

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First Person Narrative

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“Because I am proud of my hands” “Because it will remind Me I’m a woman”

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Symbolism

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“My nails red”

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Alliteration

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“Ten-Minute Moratorium” “I will look like a survivor” [Simile] “Because it will remind me I’m a woman”

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“Because a bit of colour is a public service” “Because I will look like a survivor”

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“Because I can admire them in traffic jams” “Because I will look like a survivor” “Dyeing my hair” “Because it will remind me I’m a woman” “Because a bit of colour is a public service / Because I am proud of my hands”

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Hyperbole

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Assonance

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Statement / Monologue

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Context

Reveal aspects of her life, such as her survival of life’s difficulties and enjoyment of the roles of motherhood and lover while creating a rhythmic fluency and musicality. To enhance intimacy between storyteller and reader and to permit the reader to be able to access her emotional identity and feelings about her everyday life. To represent the narrator’s passion and fiery nature which are an important part of her identity. To create a rhythmic, musical fluency that supports the repeating beat of the poem, and thus suggest the narrator’s life flows. To create a playful identity for the narrator and thus engage the reader in an entertaining fashion. To create rhythmic poetic fluency while emphasising the arguably narcissistic nature of the poem.

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To boldly assert the narrator’s feminine identity and use the trivial act of painting one’s nails as an entry point into the inner workings of her seemingly contented life.

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Emphasises the importance of taking a stand against the social pressures of society, and how an individual should be able to make their own key life decisions and choices, such as being able to “paint my nails red”.

I Shall Paint My Nails Red Carole Satyamurti

because a bit of a colour is a public service because I am proud of my hands. because it will remind me I'm a woman. because I will look like a survivor. because I can admire them in traffic jams because my daughter will say ugh. because my lover will be surprised. because it is quicker than dyeing my hair. because it is a ten-minute moratorium because it is reversible.

How does Satyamurti present the idea of individuality in “I shall paint my nails red”. Discuss.