Your essay should present a clear, coherent argument backed by close textual analysis. Avoid merely paraphrasing the poem; instead, concentrate on how Armitage's poetic choices influence meaning.

• How the measuring tape as a metaphor develops throughout the poem, reflecting the changing emotional dynamic between mother and child.
• The importance of form and structure (including line length, stanza breaks, and the sonnet form) in echoing the speaker's desire for independence.
• How language and imagery—especially at the poem's volta and closing lines—express the speaker's mixed feelings about leaving the maternal bond.

You should consider

• How the measuring tape serves as a metaphor for the parent-child connection
• The importance of the poem's form (sonnet variation) and how it reflects the speaker's emotional state
• The implications of key verbs and spatial imagery (e.g., "anchor", "unreeling", "endless")
• The ambiguity in the final lines and what they reveal about the speaker's view on independence
• How Armitage encourages the reader to empathize with both the speaker and the mother

Assessment Objective Reminder

Your essay should present a continuous, analytical argument supported by close textual references. Avoid merely identifying techniques — always explain their impact and relate back to your main argument.