'My Rivals House' deals with the aggressive tension between the writer and her potential mother-in-law whereas 'Last Supper' deals with the viciousness that exists in women's relationships.
"capped tooth, polished nail / will fight, fight foul for her survival" - In 'My Rival's House' imagery is used to highlight the animalistic and savage attitude of the mother-in-law towards the writer. the mother-in-law's feelings are based on the jealousy she experiences as the writer is stealing her son.
"but what squirms beneath her surface I can tell"- word choice has connotations of slimy, unpleasant things that cannot be said. This illustrates all the nasty thoughts the mother-in-law has towards the writer but she wont say them to avoid confrontation.
"she is far more unconscious/far more dangerous than me."- word choice of 'unconscious' highlights the devious, underhand ways the mother-in-law will use to win the affections of her son. Repetition highlights the idea that the writer sees the mother-in-law as a threat to her relationship with her boyfriend.
In 'Last Supper' we see the three friends being compared to the evil witches in Macbeth, "when those three met again" - this suggests that the women up to sinister things and illustrates how the friends coming together to support each other has grown and festered into something darker, more like witchcraft.
"spitting out the gristlier bits of his giblets"- this image symbolises how the women are picking through carcass of the relationship and analysing every detail, letting nothing go to waste. This creates the idea that they are gruesome creatures that feast and delight in the suffering of others.
"like corbies"- simile comparing the women to black crows and omens of death. The women have come together to enjoy the misfortune of their friends love life. Again, the comparison is made to gruesome animals.

	Created by wrightm3004 almost 9 years ago

Higher English Note on Lochhead 10 Mark Question - My Rivals House/Last Supper, created by wrightm3004 on 21/01/2016.