Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Generation II" by Audre Lorde, written in 1971, is a poignant snapshot capturing the complexities of maturation and identity through the lens of a "Black girl going into the woman her mother desired and prayed for." At just six lines, this poem is a masterpiece of brevity, but its implications stretch far and wide, tapping into universal themes of familial expectation, identity, and the trepidation that comes with stepping into adulthood.

Within this concise format, Lorde weaves together a narrative that encompasses generational aspirations and individual fears. The girl is not merely growing into womanhood; she is becoming the woman "her mother desired and prayed for." This immediately introduces the weight of expectation, possibly cultural and certainly familial, about what it means to be a woman. In the context of 1971 America, this mother's prayer could encompass hopes for social mobility, educational attainment, or simply the survival and wellbeing of her daughter in a society rife with racial and gender discrimination.

Yet, the young woman "walks alone, afraid of both their angers." The word "alone" is critical here-it underscores the solitude that often accompanies transformative life phases, moments when one's individual path diverges from collective expectations or familial hopes. She is sandwiched between two forms of anger: her own and her mother's. Her own anger could stem from the societal constraints she has to navigate or perhaps the weight of expectations placed upon her. Her mother's anger could represent the potential disappointment or the fear that arises when one's child takes a different path.

In the context of its time, this poem also echoes the socio-political climate. The late '60s and early '70s were periods marked by the Civil Rights Movement, feminism, and various forms of activism. Therefore, the young woman's journey into adulthood is not just personal but is influenced by broader historical and cultural shifts. She may be coming of age at a time when traditional roles for Black women were being questioned and redefined, adding another layer to her "aloneness" and fear. She's navigating not just the expectations of her family, but also the rapidly changing norms of society.

Though brief, "Generation II" is dense with layered meaning. It encapsulates the tension many face when transitioning into the roles carved out for them by others, a tension exacerbated by the intersectionality of being a Black woman in a period of social upheaval. In its succinctness, it becomes a mirror reflecting the intricacies of identity formation amid generational aspirations and societal pressures. Like much of Lorde's work, it gives voice to complex emotional landscapes and resonates far beyond its few lines, making it a potent piece for reflection on the nuanced dynamics of growth, expectation, and self-definition.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...