Poem Analysis: The Mother By Gwendolyn Brooks
The poem ‘The Mother’ by Gwendolyn Brooks is a representation of the thought process and feelings a woman endures after aborting a child. The abortion of a child does not erase the memory or pain associated with such a drastic experience.The question of what could have been lingers on in the mothers mind after the termination of their own flesh and blood.In ‘The Mother’, the author seamlessly incorporates two types of imagery, symbolism, and situational irony, to express the feelings and thoughts a mother has after aborting a child. Imagery is evident throughout the poem. Visual and audial imagery was cleverly incorporated into the poem to offer the reader a glimpse into the mind of the mother. Visual imagery was used to help visualize
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Symbolism of that guilt can be found throughout the poem. ‘My dim dears at the breasts they could never suck’. (Line 13) Breasts are often times considered the life source for babies since they feed and nurture a child. During nursing, a mother and child create a strong bond. Including this symbol into the poem, show the reader what kind of bond this mother is missing from her child. The mother is clearly thinking of what her child could have been doing, had she not aborted it. Abortions are supposed to terminate a pregnancy thus removing this child from your life forever. ‘Abortions will not let you forget’.(Line 1) This can be considered situational irony because terminating the pregnancy does not help you forget. Even though the child is not physically there, a child was still created and was growing. That memory can never be erased.
In conclusion, The poem ‘The Mother’ by Gwendolyn Brooks is a representation of the thought process and feelings a woman endures after aborting a child. Many techniques were used to convey the traumatic experience a mother has experienced. Imagery, symbolism, and situational irony were used to elaborate and express the feelings a mother endures after the termination of a child. While the child is gone, the memory lingers
Symbolism of that guilt can be found throughout the poem. ‘My dim dears at the breasts they could never suck’. (Line 13) Breasts are often times considered the life source for babies since they feed and nurture a child. During nursing, a mother and child create a strong bond. Including this symbol into the poem, show the reader what kind of bond this mother is missing from her child. The mother is clearly thinking of what her child could have been doing, had she not aborted it. Abortions are supposed to terminate a pregnancy thus removing this child from your life forever. ‘Abortions will not let you forget’.(Line 1) This can be considered situational irony because terminating the pregnancy does not help you forget. Even though the child is not physically there, a child was still created and was growing. That memory can never be erased.
In conclusion, The poem ‘The Mother’ by Gwendolyn Brooks is a representation of the thought process and feelings a woman endures after aborting a child. Many techniques were used to convey the traumatic experience a mother has experienced. Imagery, symbolism, and situational irony were used to elaborate and express the feelings a mother endures after the termination of a child. While the child is gone, the memory lingers