I Ask My Mother to Sing
By Li-Young Lee
She begins, and my grandmother joins her.
Mother and daughter sing like young girls.
If my father were alive, he would play
his accordion and sway like a boat.I’ve never been in Peking, or the Summer Palace,
nor stood on the great Stone Boat to watch
the rain begin on Qingming Lake, the picnickers
running away in the grass.But I love to hear it sung;
how the waterlilies fill with rain until
they overturn, spilling water into water,
then rock back, and fill with more.Both women have begun to cry.
But neither stops her song.
Summary of I Ask My Mother to Sing
- The Heart of Remembrance: Li-Young Lee’s “I Ask My Mother to Sing” is a poignant exploration of memory, family, and cultural heritage. The poem centers around the speaker’s request for his mother to sing a song, an act that conjures vivid recollections of his childhood and the presence of his ancestors.
- A Tapestry of Nostalgia: The song transports the speaker to places he has never physically visited—Peking and the Summer Palace—yet he experiences them through the evocative power of the melody. It is a testament to how culture and stories can create a sense of belonging and connection even across geographical boundaries.
- Themes of Loss and Continuity: The poem subtly acknowledges the absence of the speaker’s father while simultaneously celebrating the enduring strength of familial bonds. The act of singing becomes a way to keep memories alive and honor those who came before.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in I Ask My Mother to Sing
Imagery and Sensory Detail
Lee masterfully employs imagery to create a rich and immersive experience for the reader. The poem isn’t just about hearing a song; it’s about seeing, feeling, and experiencing the memories it evokes. Consider the lines:
“I’ve never been in Peking, or the Summer Palace,
nor stood on the great Stone Boat to watch
the rain begin on Qingming Lake, the picnickers
running away in the grass.”
Although the speaker has not visited these places, the imagery is so vivid that we can almost picture the scene ourselves. The description of the rain beginning and the picnickers scattering creates a sensory experience, engaging our sight and imagination. The imagery is integral to understanding the speaker’s emotional connection to his heritage.
Metaphor and Simile
Lee subtly weaves metaphor and simile into the poem to deepen its meaning. The most striking example is the comparison of the father to a boat:
“If my father were alive, he would play
his accordion and sway like a boat.”
This simile is not merely descriptive; it suggests a sense of gentle movement, stability, and connection to the water—all qualities that evoke peace and belonging. The boat can also be seen as a metaphor for the father’s role as a guiding force in the family.
Enjambment and Flow
The poem makes frequent use of enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause. This technique creates a sense of flow and momentum, mirroring the continuous stream of memories that the song evokes. For example:
“But I love to hear it sung;
how the waterlilies fill with rain until
they overturn, spilling water into water,
then rock back, and fill with more.”
The lack of punctuation at the end of each line encourages the reader to continue onward, mirroring the way memories unfold and connect in our minds.
Symbolism of Water
Water is a recurring motif throughout the poem and carries significant symbolic weight. The rain, the lake, and the image of waterlilies filling and overturning all represent the cyclical nature of life, memory, and emotion. Water can also symbolize cleansing, renewal, and the flow of time. The act of spilling water into water suggests a merging of past and present, a continuous exchange of energy and experience.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in I Ask My Mother to Sing
Free Verse and Organic Form
“I Ask My Mother to Sing” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This allows Lee to create a more natural and conversational tone, mirroring the organic flow of memory and emotion. The poem’s form is dictated by its content, allowing the language to breathe and unfold in a way that feels authentic and unforced.
Stanza Structure and Emotional Impact
The poem can be read in four sections, each with a distinct emotional and thematic focus. The first section establishes the scene and introduces the speaker’s request. The second section evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia. The third section focuses on the imagery of the rain and the waterlilies. The final section concludes with a powerful image of grief and resilience. This structure helps shape the poem’s emotional arc and create a sense of closure.
Use of Repetition and Emphasis
The repetition of the phrase “water into water” in the third section emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and memory. It also suggests a sense of merging and connection—a blending of past and present, individual and collective experience. The repetition reinforces the poem’s central themes and creates a sense of rhythm and resonance.
Quotes to be Used
The lines from the poem “I Ask My Mother to Sing” are useful when talking about the power of memory, the importance of family, and the enduring strength of cultural heritage.
“But I love to hear it sung;
how the waterlilies fill with rain until
they overturn, spilling water into water,
then rock back, and fill with more.”
This passage encapsulates the poem’s central theme, the ability of song to evoke vivid memories and connect us to our past. The image of the waterlilies is both beautiful and poignant, suggesting the fragility and resilience of life.
“Both women have begun to cry.
But neither stops her song.”
These lines are a powerful testament to the enduring power of music and memory. Even in the face of grief, the women continue to sing, honoring their ancestors and keeping their stories alive.