Vuillard: “The Mother and Sister of the Artist” By W. D. Snodgrass - Giggle Poems

Original Poem：

Admire, when you come here, the glimmering hair
Of the girl; praise her pale
Complexion. Think well of her dress
Though that is somewhat out of fashion.
Don’t try to take her hand, but smile for
Her hesitant gentleness.
Say the old woman is looking strong
Today; such hardiness. Remark,
Perhaps, how she has dressed herself black
Like a priest, and wears that sufficient air
That does become the righteous.
As you approach, she will push back
Her chair, shove away her plate
And wait,
Sitting squat and direct, before
The red mahogany chest
Massive as some great
Safe; will wait,
By the table and her greasy plate,
The bone half-chewed, her wine half-drained;
She will wait. And fix her steady
Eyes on you—the straight stare
Of an old politician.
Try once to meet her eyes. But fail.
Let your sight
Drift—yet never as if hunting for
The keys (you keep imagining) hung
By her belt. (They are not there.)
Watch, perhaps, that massive chest—the way
It tries to lean
Forward, toward her, till it seems to rest
Its whole household’s weight
Of linens and clothing and provisions
All on her stiff back.
It might be strapped there like the monstrous pack
Of some enchanted pedlar. Dense, self-contained,
Like mercury in a ball,
She can support this without strain,
Yet she grows smaller, wrinkling
Like a potato, parched as dung;
It cramps her like a fist.
Ask no one why the chest
Has no knobs. Betray
No least suspicion
The necessities within
Could vanish at her
Will. Try not to think
That as she feeds, gains
Specific gravity,
She shrinks, light-
less as the world’s
Hard core
And the per-
spective drains
In her.
Finally, above all,
You must not ever see,
Or let slip one hint you can see,
On the other side, the girl’s
Cuffs, like cordovan restraints;
Forget her bony, tentative wrist,
The half-fed, worrying eyes, and how
She backs out, bows, and tries to bow
Out of the scene, grows too ethereal
To make a shape inside her dress
And the dress itself is beginning already
To sublime itself away like a vapor
That merges into the empty twinkling
Of the air and of the bright wallpaper.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem

This poem presents a vivid and poignant scene centered on two female figures: a young girl and an old woman. The imagery is rich and detailed, inviting the reader to observe the subtle contrasts between youth and age, vitality and decay, presence and absence.

The girl is described with admiration for her glimmering hair and pale complexion, yet her dress is noted as "somewhat out of fashion," suggesting a gentle vulnerability or innocence. The speaker advises the visitor to smile at her "hesitant gentleness" but not to take her hand, indicating a delicate boundary or fragility.

In contrast, the old woman is portrayed as strong and hardy, dressed in black "like a priest," embodying a solemn, righteous air. She sits before a massive red mahogany chest, which symbolizes a heavy burden or a repository of memories and necessities. The chest is described almost as a living weight pressing down on her, emphasizing her endurance despite physical decline.

The poem explores themes of aging, memory, endurance, and invisibility. The old woman’s "steady eyes" resemble those of "an old politician," suggesting experience, vigilance, and perhaps a guarded nature. The chest’s lack of knobs and the suggestion that its contents could "vanish at her will" evoke mystery and control over what is hidden or revealed.

The girl’s cuffs are likened to "cordovan restraints," and her tentative, "half-fed, worrying eyes" imply vulnerability and perhaps neglect or hunger, both physical and emotional. She seems to fade away, becoming ethereal and merging into the background, symbolizing fading youth or forgotten innocence.

Background and Author Introduction

This poem is a reflective piece that likely comes from a modern or contemporary poet interested in exploring human conditions through detailed domestic imagery. The author uses everyday objects and moments to delve into deeper emotional and psychological states.

The poet’s style is characterized by meticulous observation and a subtle interplay between the physical and the symbolic. The presence of the chest as a metaphor for burdens or memories is a common literary device used to explore themes of history, family, and personal endurance.

Understanding the author's background can enhance appreciation of the poem. Typically, poets who write such introspective and layered works have experienced or observed complex family dynamics or societal roles, especially those involving women and aging.

Reflections and Personal Response

Reading this poem evokes a sense of quiet contemplation and empathy. The contrast between the girl and the old woman invites reflection on the passage of time and the shifting roles and perceptions of women in society. The poem’s tone is both tender and somber, capturing the dignity and struggle inherent in everyday life.

One might feel moved by the old woman’s resilience and the girl’s fragility, sensing a shared human experience of vulnerability and strength. The poem encourages readers to look beyond surface appearances and to recognize the unseen burdens and histories carried by individuals.

Educational Insights and Learning Points

For children and students, this poem offers several valuable lessons:

• Observation Skills: The poem encourages careful attention to detail, teaching students how to notice and describe subtle characteristics and emotions.
• Understanding Metaphor: The chest as a metaphor for burden and memory helps students learn how objects can symbolize abstract ideas.
• Themes of Aging and Compassion: It fosters empathy by portraying the experiences of both youth and old age, highlighting the importance of respect and kindness across generations.
• Vocabulary Building: Words like "hesitant," "righteous," "ethereal," and "sublime" enrich students’ vocabulary and understanding of nuanced language.

Practical Applications

• In literature classes, this poem can be used to teach imagery, metaphor, and tone.
• In social studies or life skills, it can prompt discussions about aging, family roles, and empathy.
• In art or drama, students might create visual or performance interpretations of the characters and scenes.
• The poem also encourages mindfulness and observation in everyday life, helping students appreciate small moments and people around them.

Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. Who are the two main characters described in the poem?
2. What does the red mahogany chest symbolize in the poem?
3. How is the old woman’s appearance and demeanor described?
4. Why should the visitor not try to take the girl’s hand?
5. What happens to the girl at the end of the poem?
6. What feelings does the poem evoke about aging and vulnerability?
7. Identify two metaphors used in the poem and explain their meanings.

Answer Key

1. The two main characters are a young girl and an old woman.
2. The red mahogany chest symbolizes a heavy burden, memories, or necessities that the old woman carries.
3. The old woman is described as strong, hardy, dressed in black like a priest, with steady eyes like an old politician.
4. The visitor should not take the girl’s hand because of her hesitant gentleness and fragile nature.
5. The girl becomes ethereal, fading away like vapor, merging into the background.
6. The poem evokes feelings of empathy, respect, and contemplation about the struggles and dignity involved in aging and vulnerability.
7. Examples:
   • The chest is like "some great safe," symbolizing security and burden.
   • The girl’s cuffs are like "cordovan restraints," symbolizing restriction or captivity.

This poem offers rich material for literary analysis, emotional reflection, and educational exploration, making it a valuable resource for students to deepen their understanding of poetry and human experience.