The poem “The Mother” by Gwendolyn Brooks provides an interesting view of abortion from the perspective of a woman who underwent an abortion. The form of the poem is rather simple- a pattern of masculine rhyme where every line rhymes with the line above it. This form adds to the emotionality of the poem.
The first observation that the poet makes is “Abortions will not let you forget.” Brooks immediately introduces the focus of this poem- abortion. The poet then explains what she imagines and remembers about the children she aborted.
She then says she has heard the voices of her children in the wind. It is as if she is haunted by them. She talks about stealing her children’s lives, wronging them. Brooks in a way tries to justify the abortions by saying, even if she thought she was making a deliberate decision, she was not thinking. She then tries to take responsibility by stating she should not whine because the crime was of her own decision.
Brooks ends the poem by telling her children she loved them all. This poem provides an interesting view of abortion; it shows the emotional damage caused by abortion and the thoughts of a woman who had an abortion. Abortion has increasingly become a intense political argument. This argument has decreases the emotion of the issue by drawing the focus always from the women who are affected by abortion.
This poem does a good job of redirecting the focus on to women. The perspective seems so real it causes me to believe the poet has had experience with abortion.
Brooks tells how she cannot forget what she has done and what she will now miss because of it. She tries to justify her action but then takes responsibility by saying the choice was her own. In the end, Brooks came to love the children she never had and regret her action. I believe abortions are a tragedy and this poem supports that by showing the negative emotions which follow.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
