My Mother
I
Reg wished me to go with him to the field,
I paused because I did not want to go;
But in her quiet way she made me yield
Reluctantly, for she was breathing low.
Her hand she slowly lifted from her lap
And, smiling sadly in the old sweet way,
She pointed to the nail where hung my cap.
Her eyes said: I shall last another day.
But scarcely had we reached the distant place,
When o’er the hills we heard a faint bell ringing;
A boy came running up with frightened face;
We knew the fatal news that he was bringing.
I heard him listlessly, without a moan,
Although the only one I loved was gone.II
The dawn departs, the morning is begun,
The trades come whispering from off the seas,
The fields of corn are golden in the sun,
The dark brown tassels fluttering in the breeze;
The bell is sounding and the children pass,
frog leaping, skipping, shouting, laughing shrill,
Down the red road, over the pasture grass,
Up to the school house crumbling on the hill.
The older folk are at their peaceful toil,
Some pulling up the weeds, some plucking corn,
And others breaking up the sun baked soil.
Float, faintly scented breeze, at early morn
Over the earth where mortals sow and reap.
Beneath its breast my mother lies asleep.
Unveiling “My Mother”: A Comprehensive Guide
Claude McKay’s “My Mother” is a poignant and deeply moving poem that explores themes of love, loss, and acceptance. The poem recounts a moment of quiet anticipation and heartbreaking revelation surrounding the death of the speaker’s mother. It is a masterful depiction of how life continues even amid profound grief, and how the natural world offers solace and continuity. The poem’s subtle emotional power resonates with anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one.
Summary and Central Idea
The poem is divided into two parts. The first section depicts a moment before the mother’s death. The speaker is reluctant to leave her side, but she subtly encourages him to go, offering a fragile promise of continued life. The second part starkly contrasts this intimacy with the bustling normalcy of the world—children playing, farmers working. The mother is now gone, but the world carries on, and the speaker ultimately finds peace in the thought that his mother has become part of the earth.
The central idea of “My Mother” is not merely grief but a complex interplay between personal loss and the enduring cycle of life. McKay suggests that while the pain of loss is profound, it does not stop the world from turning, and that comfort can be found in recognizing this continuity. The poem ultimately suggests a form of acceptance—not forgetting the loved one, but integrating their memory into the larger framework of existence.
In-Depth Literary Analysis
Examining Structure and Form
My Mother is skillfully crafted as two sonnets, each containing fourteen lines. While the poem has the structure of two sonnets, its rhyme scheme is more irregular than the traditional ABAB CDCD EFEF GG pattern. The couplets at the end of each section provide powerful conclusions. The regularity of the line length and the use of couplets contribute to a musical quality that supports the poem’s overall rhythm and flow.
For example, in the first section the concluding couplet—“I heard him listlessly, without a moan, / Although the only one I loved was gone”—emphasizes the speaker’s numb state of grief. The controlled form of the sonnet paradoxically contrasts with the intense emotional turmoil within the poem.
The Power of Imagery and Symbolism
McKay masterfully employs imagery to evoke both the tenderness of the mother‑son relationship and the stark reality of loss. The image of the mother “lifting her hand…smiling sadly” highlights her quiet strength and unspoken love. Her pointing to the speaker’s cap is a symbolic gesture that suggests a wish for him to embrace life and pursue his own path. The line “Her eyes said: I shall last another day” is particularly poignant given the impending tragedy.
In the second section, the imagery shifts to the natural world. The fields of corn golden in the sun and the dark brown tassels fluttering in the breeze create a vibrant picture of life continuing unabated. This contrast between the natural world and the speaker’s grief underscores the theme of life’s relentless cycle. The final image of the mother lying asleep beneath the earth is a powerful symbol of her integration into nature and a suggestion of peaceful rest.
Exploring Poetic Devices
Alliteration: The poem uses alliteration to create musicality and emphasize phrases. The repetition of the “s” sound in “smiling sadly” draws attention to the mother’s melancholic expression. The “f” sound in “frightened face” highlights the urgency of the news.
Enjambment: McKay frequently uses enjambment, where a phrase continues onto the next line without punctuation. This creates flow and momentum, mirroring the relentless passage of time. For instance, the enjambment between lines 5 and 6 of the first section reads: “Her hand she slowly lifted from her lap / And, smiling sadly in the old sweet way.”
Metaphor: The final line, “Beneath its breast my mother lies asleep,” is a powerful metaphor. It suggests that the earth itself is a nurturing mother figure and that the speaker’s mother has been embraced by nature. This image offers comfort and acceptance.
Analyzing Key Lines and Their Significance
Let’s examine a few key lines to illuminate the poem’s meaning.
“I paused because I did not want to go;” reveals the speaker’s deep attachment to his mother and his reluctance to leave her side. It establishes the emotional tension that permeates the poem.
“Her eyes said: I shall last another day.” is tragically ironic. While the mother expresses hope for continued life, she is already near death, underscoring the fragility of life and the inevitability of loss.
“Although the only one I loved was gone.” encapsulates the profound grief that the speaker experiences. The simplicity of the language emphasizes the raw emotional impact of the loss.
“Beneath its breast my mother lies asleep.” offers a sense of closure and acceptance, suggesting that the mother’s spirit lives on in the natural world.
Guidance for Interpretation and Usage
“My Mother” is a universal poem that resonates with anyone who has experienced loss. It is a beautiful and moving meditation on grief, acceptance, and the enduring power of love. The poem is suitable for exploring themes of family, mortality, and the connection between humanity and nature.
Consider these lines when contemplating the memory of a loved one: “I heard him listlessly, without a moan, / Although the only one I loved was gone.” These words capture the quiet sorrow that often accompanies loss.
Remember the final image of the mother lying asleep beneath the earth as a reminder that even in death there is peace and belonging.
This poem is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit and the beauty of a life well-lived.