Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Audre Lorde's "Family Resemblance," written in 1966, the poetic speaker explores the profound complexities of sisterhood, familial ties, and the emotional landscapes that divide and unite siblings. The poem traverses the terrains of shared physical attributes, diverging life experiences, and emotional alienation.

The opening line, "My sister has my hair, my mouth, my eyes," immediately draws attention to the biological and visual closeness between the sisters. Yet this surface-level resemblance masks a deeper emotional rift, suggested by the phrase "and I presume her trustless." This presumption hints at a chasm of misunderstanding or hurt that divides them, despite their physical similarities.

The poem goes on to paint a picture of youthful optimism and naivety, depicting the sister as once "open to any fever" and wearing "gold like a veil of fortune on her face." The elements of fever and gold seem to symbolize not just physical beauty, but also the flush of dreams, aspirations, and the illusion of invincibility that often accompanies youth. She "waited through each rain / a dream of light," evoking the idea of a hopeful expectation for a brighter future.

However, as the narrative progresses, the harsh realities of life surface with the symbolic rising of the sun that burns "our eyes like crystal," serving as a metaphor for disillusionment. The sky loses its promise, and the sister becomes "Black, unblessed, and unbelieving," a powerful and loaded phrase that suggests not only disillusionment but also evokes racial undertones. The sister seems to stand at the threshold of her lost innocence, "shivering in the first cold show of love."

As the sister matures and faces the tribulations of life, her "gold" transforms into "an arch where nightmare hunted," implying that her once golden dreams have turned into a gateway for despair. Her newfound skepticism and emotional scars manifest in her "bleached side of reason," suggesting a diminishing hope and a cautious approach to life, colored by past disappointments.

The poem closes with a reiteration of the shared physical attributes between the sisters, emphasizing the unbridgeable emotional distance that has emerged over time. The sister's tongue and flesh are "unanswered," a compelling way to depict their emotional disconnection. The speaker circles back to the initial presumption of her sister being "trustless," a perception solidified by life experiences.

In "Family Resemblance," Audre Lorde offers an intimate yet complex portrayal of sibling relationships, delving into the nuances of love, disappointment, shared heritage, and emotional disconnection. By employing vivid imagery and poignant metaphors, she crafts a narrative that lays bare the bittersweet contradictions inherent in familial bonds. Despite their physical resemblance and shared lineage, the sisters become, emotionally, like two divergent branches of the same tree-connected at the root but growing apart, each shaped by her own unique storms and seasons.

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