Flag

Question 1

Describe the significance of the epigraph.

Answer 1

By depicting a flag as a ‘vital organ’ we get the sense that everyone feels the need to belong somewhere, and so it is vital to the Welsh people that Wales retains a sense of national identity so that its inhabitants aren’t left feeling ‘homeless’.

Question 2

Analyse ‘hung like wet washing’.

Answer 2

Flags are meant to be strung up and proud, a contrast to the wet washing which is a negative depiction of Wales that has been forgotten about.

Question 3

Analyse ‘on the flat end wall of a Swansea gym, / fading to the east’.

Answer 3

The image of the painted flag that has faded from sun bleaching has connotations of former glory.

Question 4

What does ‘bad photocopy’ suggest?

Answer 4

This may suggest that by trying to mimic the modernity of other countries by having a gym, Wales shows itself up as being a poor imitation of the modern world.

Question 5

Describe the conflict between the motorway and the flag.

Answer 5

• This tension is further explored by conflicting the motorway, a symbol of progress and linking all of Britain together, with the flag, a symbol of traditional identity.

Question 6

What is the significance of ‘high in the motorway wind, / the beast of it struggling to exist’?

Answer 6

• When Sheers’ depicts the Welsh flag ‘high in the motorway wind, / the beast of it struggling to exist’ we get the sense of tradition and innovation being unavoidably at odds with one another.