Letters From Yorkshire

Maura Dooley explores the relationship of an unidentified speaker, likely herself, who leads a city life and communicates via letter with a Yorkshire farmer. The relationship is ambiguous, but the themes of yearning and cultural separation are clear throughout. The narrator, most ambiguously, does not love her life; but she supposes that the farmer does not love his, either. It portrays positive and negative aspects to their relationship. 

• Maura Dooley was born in Cornwall, but grew up in Yorkshire. 
• She has lived in London for the past 20 years- this suggests that the narrator is herself, which would NOT make this poem a dramatic monologue.
• She is a lecturer and freelance writer. 
• Critics say of her anthology, "she has the ability to enact and find images for complex feelings". "she combines domesticity with lyrical beauty". 

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Language Features

Pathetic Fallacy - Used when describing February, which is a transitional season. It also connotes a cold, unfriendly scene, which suggests her awareness that she is glorifying the Yorkshireman's life. 

Natural imagery, such as "lapwings return" suggests that the relationship is a natural and calm one (though some images contradict this). 

Personification - "Knuckles singing" portrays his work as rewarding, or perhaps writing to her. Suggests that he feels positively, and she feels negatively? Contrasts the "blank" screen describing her life. 

Alliteration - Planting potatoes makes a satisfying sound, which conveys how she views farm life as more satisfying. Heartful of headlines, however, creates a…