‘Aunt Julia: Form and Structure’

‘Aunt Julia’ is a lyric poem, traditionally a form of personal expression.
The poem does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme, conveying a free-flowing conversation where thoughts are not regimented but naturally progress.
The ‘you’ form is used to directly address Aunt Julia throughout the poem, enhancing the sense of a personal conversation.

‘Aunt Julia’ is arranged in five six-line stanzas or sestets, permitting a fluidity of thought that mimics the speaker’s flowing reflections.
The stanzas are consistently structured, each with six lines, contributing to the poem’s rhythmical flow.
The enjambment between stanzas allows a continuous flow of thoughts, mirroring the speaker’s attempt to grasp the verbal and non-verbal expressions of Aunt Julia.
Each stanza ends with a description of Aunt Julia’s actions – vivid, physical descriptions contrasting with the descriptions of the incomprehensible Gaelic language at the beginning of each stanza.

The poem’s language is simple, the direct result of MacCaig opting to recreate the simple and rigid reality of the hard-working life Aunt Julia lives.
He uses gaelic words, e.g. “machair”, “grumbling”, to emphasise the communication gap between him and Aunt Julia.
The repetition of the phrase “I could not” further emphasises the frustration of the speaker at not being able to understand his aunt, and the communication gap that exists between them.

One of the key themes of the poem is communication and language, particularly the barriers that language can create in interpersonal relationships.
Another theme is recollection of the past, as the speaker nostalgically reminisces about his childhood spent with Aunt Julia.
The poem also deals with the theme of individual identity and heritage, as MacCaig explores his own connection with the Gaelic language and culture through the character of Aunt Julia.

‘Aunt Julia’ by Norman MacCaig is a lyric poem that beautifully explores the themes of communication gap, recollection of the past and individual identity. MacCaig employs a simple language and consistent structure to bring Aunt Julia alive, immersing the reader in a world where language is both a barrier and a bridge, connecting the past with the present.