Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Stanley Jasspon Kunitz’s poem “Words for the Unknown Makers: Girl with Sampler” captures a moment in the life of a young girl engaged in the traditional craft of needlework. Through this intimate portrait, Kunitz explores themes of duty, education, and the complex emotions tied to the labor of creating something both personal and socially significant.

The poem opens with a Biblical verse, “A Soft Answer Turneth Away Wrath,” setting a tone of moral instruction and decorum. This verse, likely to be one of the many phrases the girl is stitching, emphasizes the didactic nature of samplers, which were often used to teach young women virtues and practical skills. The girl’s concentration is palpable as she sits by the window, “lips pursed, plying her needle,” suggesting both diligence and a certain tension in her work.

Her task is not merely personal but also communal and familial: “The parlor wall waited for a family showpiece.” The sampler is intended to be a display of the family’s values and the girl’s skill, a piece of art that showcases both moral instruction and domestic prowess. This adds a layer of pressure to her work, as it must meet the expectations of her family and community.

The mother’s directive, “Do it right, child!” underscores the demanding nature of this task. It reflects the societal pressures placed on young girls to excel in domestic arts, which were seen as a reflection of their upbringing and potential as future wives and mothers. The girl’s education through this task is multifaceted: “This way she learned the ABC’s, improved her mind with Bible verses, embroidered her name into her dowry.” The sampler is a tool for literacy, religious instruction, and preparation for marriage, embedding these aspects into the fabric of her future.

Kunitz names several girls from different locations, each identified by their needlework: “Nabby Dexter of Providence, Rhode Island, Patricia Goodeshall, Abigail Fleetwood, Elizabeth Finney, virtuoso of stitches.” These names ground the poem in historical reality, honoring the many unnamed girls who spent countless hours on similar tasks. The term “virtuoso of stitches” highlights the skill and artistry involved in needlework, acknowledging it as a legitimate and commendable art form.

The poem also addresses the varied reactions to this labor. Some girls “prized the task and its performance,” finding satisfaction and perhaps pride in their work. Others, however, “groaned as they ripped out blunders in and around the moral sentences.” The act of ripping out stitches to correct mistakes is a metaphor for the meticulous and often frustrating process of striving for perfection, both in needlework and in meeting societal expectations.

In a striking twist, one girl adds a rebellious line to her sampler: “And Hated every bit of it.” This addition serves as a powerful act of defiance and honesty, breaking the surface of conformity to reveal a deeper, more complex emotional landscape. It speaks to the unspoken resentment and resistance that many young women might have felt towards the relentless demands of domestic labor and the rigid moral codes imposed upon them.

In summary, “Words for the Unknown Makers: Girl with Sampler” by Stanley Jasspon Kunitz is a rich, evocative exploration of the lives of young girls who engaged in the traditional craft of needlework. Through vivid imagery and historical references, Kunitz honors their skill and labor while also acknowledging the pressures and frustrations they faced. The poem captures the dual nature of this work as both an art form and a societal obligation, revealing the complex emotions and realities behind the creation of these meticulously crafted samplers.

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