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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Children" by Carolyn Kizer is a scathing yet deeply introspective examination of the expectations and disappointments tied to parenthood. The poem's stark, declarative opening line, "What good are children anyhow?" sets a tone of disillusionment that pervades the entire piece. Kizer doesn't shy away from articulating the harsh realities and frustrations that can accompany raising children, framing her observations with a blend of bitterness and irony. Throughout the poem, Kizer systematically dismantles the romanticized notions of parenthood. She begins by highlighting the common parental hope that children will fulfill their dreams or redeem their own missed opportunities, only to be met with disillusionment. "The one that bore your fondest hopes / will never amount to anything. / The one you slaved to give the chances you never had / rejects them with contempt." These lines underscore the painful reality that children often chart their own courses, frequently at odds with their parents' expectations and sacrifices. Kizer touches on the theme of neglect, portraying children as ungrateful and self-absorbed. "They won't take care of you in your old age. / They don't even write home." This sentiment reflects a generational gap and the fading sense of familial duty and responsibility that the speaker feels. The poem suggests that despite parents' efforts, children often grow distant, pursuing their own lives and interests with little regard for their parents' sacrifices and desires. The poem's middle section evokes a poignant nostalgia for the days when the speaker, as a child, eagerly listened to family stories. "Remember how you hung on the lips / of your father or grandfather, / Begging for the old stories." This longing for a past where familial bonds and oral histories were cherished contrasts sharply with the contemporary indifference the speaker perceives in her own children. The speaker laments that her own stories, "funny, instructive, pathetic," are now disregarded, emblematic of the broader sense of disconnect between generations. Kizer then turns to the tangible remnants of childhood, urging to "Put away those scrapbooks, with the rusted flute in the closet, / with the soiled ballet-slippers." These objects, once symbols of love and devotion, are now seen as embarrassing relics of a dependent past that children wish to forget. The poet vividly captures the melancholy of preserving such mementos that no longer hold value for the children they were meant to honor. The poem's tone shifts to one of despair and resignation as the speaker contemplates the troubling ideologies of the younger generation. "Their politics are cruel and sentimental: / Some monster of depravity / who destroyed millions with his smile, / Who shadowed our youth with terror, is a hero to them." This reflects a deep frustration with the perceived ignorance and moral relativism of modern youth, as well as a broader critique of their lack of historical awareness. Kizer's critique crescendos with the observation that "they don't believe we ever believed; / They don't believe we ever had ideals." This poignant line captures the speaker's sense of generational disjunction, suggesting that the children are incapable of understanding or valuing their parents' experiences and convictions. The dismissal of past struggles and passions by the younger generation highlights a painful alienation. Towards the end, Kizer offers a sardonic commentary on childless friends who once seemed enviable for their freedom and focus on careers. These friends, now older, are portrayed as obsessed with their pets, whose needs and behaviors have come to dominate their lives. "They no longer converse in sparkling cadenzas. / They are obsessed with their little dog." This comparison serves to underscore the universal search for meaning and connection, suggesting that those who chose not to have children are not necessarily better off or more fulfilled. In "Children," Carolyn Kizer crafts a powerful narrative that navigates the complexities and heartaches of parenthood. The poem's vivid imagery, candid tone, and incisive observations make it a poignant exploration of the often fraught relationships between parents and children, capturing the universal and timeless nature of these struggles. Through her unflinching honesty, Kizer invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and expectations, offering a sobering yet deeply human perspective on the cycle of familial love and disappointment.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE EROTIC PHILOSOPHERS by KIZER. CAROLYN THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD HEMATITE HEIRLOOM LIVES ON (MAYBE DECEMBER 1980) by ALICE NOTLEY ON THE BEACH by CLARIBEL ALEGRIA FEMINIST POEM NUMBER ONE by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER HYPOCRITE SWIFT by LOUISE BOGAN FOR A GODCHILD, REGINA, ON THE OCCASION OF HER FIRST LOVE by TOI DERRICOTTE |
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