Abse ” Return to Cardiff”
- Pages: 2
- Word count: 260
- Category: Books College Example
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Order NowHOW DOES OUR READING OF âRETURN TO CARDIFFâ ADD TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF ABSEâS VIEW OF WALES IN âDOWN THE M4â?
In âDown the M4â, Abse doesnât portray a particular fondness of Wales or the time he spends there in the present day. And yet it is clear that this wasnât always the case, from where he says âthis time/ afraidâ. We can infer from this that he has enjoyed these visits in the past. However this time he is a âdutiful sonâ, showing that he is not on this journey for his own pleasure but is simply playing his role as a son. âAfraidâ is on its own line, emphasising his fear of the fact that he may not be a son to his mother in her âninth decadeâ much longer, perhaps showing us the main reason that Wales has fallen in his esteem.
We can see Abse create a similar effect in âReturn to Cardiffâ. Although this time he is not afraid as such, we get a sense that his opinions towards Cardiff have changed over time from the lines âthe journey to Cardiff seemed less a return than a raid/on mislaid identitiesâ. Again there is that sense that some time has passed since Abse thought so highly of his hometown. His journey is not a glorious return to beloved places but instead he is indulging in the memories of these places whilst realising that these places have changed with him as throughout his life he has chosen certain routes and laid aside possible identities in doing so
