Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

The poem "And What About the Children" by Audre Lorde is a poignant exploration of societal norms, prejudices, and expectations surrounding motherhood and family. Written in 1964, a time when social and racial unrest was challenging established norms, Lorde delves into the emotional intricacies of bringing a child into a world filled with judgments and preconceived notions.

The poem opens with a simple, yet loaded statement, "We've made a child," immediately framing the narrative as a collective endeavor. However, the mood quickly turns uncertain with "dire predictions" turning into "wild grim speculations." This transition captures the collective apprehensions and anxieties that often accompany the news of a new child, exacerbated by societal and familial pressures. The "negatives" and "relatives" become abstract characters in the story, representatives of societal scrutiny and family expectations, respectively. Their "waiting" and "watching" become acts of surveillance that are both suffocating and intrusive.

The fixation on trivialities like "how much curl is right for a girl" encapsulates the minutiae that people often focus on, missing the larger picture of the child's well-being and happiness. It shows society's propensity to obsess over superficial standards, such as appearance or marital status, rather than on more substantive issues like emotional health or personal growth.

The shift towards the future scenario involving the child allows Lorde to succinctly counteract the shallow concerns with a more profound understanding of what truly matters. She contemplates a future where her son, if raised to have his "head is on straight," will not "care about his hair" nor will he "give a damn whose wife I am." This defies conventional wisdom in its statement that character and individual integrity will ultimately outweigh societal judgments based on physical attributes or familial circumstances.

One can sense that Lorde is also subtly hinting at the identity crises many undergo due to societal norms, especially relevant in the 1960s when the fight for civil rights and gender equality were heating up. The societal "negatives" and "relatives" can also be understood as codewords for systemic racism, sexism, and heteronormativity that confine individuals to predetermined roles and expectations.

By placing these profound messages within the intimate setting of a family expecting a child, Lorde masterfully brings the personal into the political and vice versa. The poem becomes a mirror reflecting societal attitudes and prejudices, revealing how they seep into our personal lives, affecting our most intimate decisions and experiences.

Overall, "And What About the Children" serves as a compelling critique of societal values and a clarion call for a more compassionate, open-minded approach to child-rearing and life in general. It teaches us that the essence of an individual cannot and should not be reduced to societal labels or familial expectations; what truly matters is the content of one's character.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...