CHAPTER IV DISCUSSION
4.1.2 The messages of the poems expressed by figurative language
Line 33 when we are loved we are afraid love will vanish
Line 35 when we are alone we are afraid love will never return
Line 37 and when we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed
4 Refrain Line 24 For all of us this instant and this triumph
We were never meant to survive Line 44 So it is better to speak
remembering
we were never meant to survive 5 Metaphor Line 1 For those of us who live at the
shoreline
standing upon the constant edges of decision crucial and alone
6 Simile Line 12 like bread in our children’s mouth
Line 17 like a faint line in the center of our foreheads
7 Personification 1 Moon marked and touched by sun
3 but when the sea turns back 8 Visual imagery 14 look into the entrails of Uranus
9 Oxymoron 11 love with pity
12 nor hate with scorn
10 Allusion 21 witches in Dahomey
1. Repetition
Repetition is a typical feature of poetry, and it can take the form of a single word or phrase repeated throughout a poem or an entire stanza. Repetition in poetry has been utilized by various poets to achieve a variety of goals, ranging from highlighting a certain point to making a poem simpler to memorize. In this poem, Lorde's choice of words quickly captures the attention of her readers and critics, making each syllable into a roller coaster of emotion and complexity. The following are an example of repitition in the poetry A Litany for Survival:
For those of us who live at the shoreline (Line 1) for those of us who cannot indulge (Line 4) For those of us (Line 15)
the heavy-footed hoped to silence us (Line 21) For all of us (Line 22)
Lorde uses the word "us" and she is referring to both herself and one or more other people. "A Litany for Survival" employs the ambiguous pronoun "us" to establish a strong collective voice. Furthermore, Lorde employs the pronoun "us" to communicate with the readers or listeners. The poem is written in the plural 'us' voice, which invites the reader to connect with or empathize with the sufferings of individuals described in the poem. The pronoun may not only refer to black women, but to a broader group of people, including women in general. It is not centered on the oppression of a certain set of people in a particular period and place, but rather on the helpless and marginalized members of society anywhere, at any time. In other words, Lorde is addressing those who are affected by marginalization around the world. Another repitition can be found in the second poem, "A Woman Speaks,"
which is written as follows:
I have been woman (Line 25) I am ( Line32 )
Woman ( Line 33 )
This quotation expresses the pride of a Lorde as being both Black and a woman.
Lorde repeats the word "I am" in these stanzas to confirm her identification as a Black woman. As a Black woman, she frequently encounters negative comments, but the speaker bravely explains her identity and pride as a Black woman and as a woman, stating that a Black woman is attractive, strong, and powerful, with a rich history and culture, and that being Black is her identity.
2. Symbolism
Symbolism is a literary device in which symbols are used to convey ideas.
Symbolism is only used to describe a term or phrase that refers to an object or event that, in turn, refers to something or has a spectrum of meaning beyond itself (Abrams, 1999:311). A symbol, according to Barnet et al (1993: 469), is anything or someone that describes or directs the story of a poem. In poetry, symbol is a crucial part. Barnet also clarifies that a symbol is a hidden object. Poetry has a lovely language that makes it difficult for readers to understand what the poems are about, the role of symbolism is required at this point. The following is an example of symbolism in the poetry A Litany for Survival:
for by this weapon (Line 19)
this illusion of some safety to be found
By using the symbol of a weapon, Lorde wanted to reveal the reason for her fear.
In this poem, the weapon is symbolized as power. Dominant group members have greater access to power to control marginalized people. Fear was utilized as a
weapon by the dominant members of society, who spread the false narrative that maintaining silent would keep marginalized people safe. Consequently, marginalized people live in constant fear and have been pressured to remain silent in order to survive. Another symbolism can be found in the second poem, "A Woman Speaks," which is written as follows:
My magic is unwritten (Line 2)
The word “magic” represents the ways in which black women are powerful. The power of black women worked for their collective or individual power to raise attention to issues of gender identity, classism, racism, and sexism. Another symbolism can be found in the second poem, "A Woman Speaks," which is written as follows:
witches in Dahomey (Line 21)
Throughout history, the witch appears as a fairy tale figure on a daily basis.
However, in recent years, the witch has been reclaimed as a tool for subversion and empowerment. In this poem, The symbol of the "witches" was employed by Lorde to signify a strong feminine figure. The witch has been turned into a subject with her own internal agency and strength, transforming her previous imperfection into her own advantages. Lorde refers to the "sisters" as "the witches in Dahomey,"
attempting to unite those who share a common identity, and she later explained that she called not only black people and women, but also those who supported her and could understand her pain and grief.
3. Epistrophe
The recurrence of the same word or phrase at the end of multiple clauses or sentences is known as epistrophe. The objective of an epistrophe is to emphasize a significant word or phrase. This allows the reader to make a quick note of anything important about the subject during the repetition. The following is an example of epistrophe in the poetry A Litany for Survival:
And when the sun rises we are afraid (Line 25) it might not remain
when the sun sets we are afraid (Line 27) it might not rise in the morning
when our stomachs are full we are afraid (Line 29) of indigestion
when our stomachs are empty we are afraid (Line 31) we may never eat again
when we are loved we are afraid (Line 33) love will vanish
when we are alone we are afraid (Line 35) love will never return
and when we speak we are afraid (Line 37) our words will not be heard
nor welcomed
but when we are silent we are still afraid (Line 41)
Lorde concludes each line with the phrase "we are afraid." This is an excellent example of epistrophe, one that persuades a close reader to investigate the impact it has on rhyme and rhythm. The words "we are afraid" are repeated at the end of eight lines in the third stanza, causing the reader to consider what exactly that
means. Lorde repeats the phrase "we are afraid" to describe a situation in which Lorde feels afraid and to identify the object of the fear.
Fear is a perfect way to describe the feeling of being marginalized. In line 25-27, the recurrence of sentence constructions emphasizes the reality that Lorde and marginalized people are afraid no matter what the sun does. They are afraid that when the sun rises, it will not stay, and when the sun sets, it will not return.
In line 29-31, when they eat, they are afraid of stomach aches, and they are afraid of going hungry if they do not eat. Furthermore, in lines 33-35, people are worried that when they fall in love, it will not last, and that when they lose love, it will not return. Lastly, in line 37-41, they are afraid that if they speak up, no one would listen to them, but the fear persists even if they remain silent.
4. Refrain
A refrain is a verse, a line, a group of lines, or a series of lines that appears at the end of a stanza or where a poem divides into sections. A refrain is primarily a poetic device, and its primary role in poetry is to emphasize and generate rhythm. When a sentence or phrase appears multiple times in a poem or piece of literature, the readers will notice it. Poets might use refrain to make their ideas memorable and to focus the reader's attention to a certain idea. The following is an example of refrain in the poetry A Litany for Survival:
For all of us
this instant and this triumph
We were never meant to survive (Line 24) So it is better to speak
remembering
we were never meant to survive (Line 44)
Throughout the poem, Lorde uses the refrain "we were never meant to survive" to create rhythm and grab the reader's attention. Lorde would like to inform the reader that "we were never meant to survive" is an illusion resulting from verbal violence perpetrated by the dominant group.
The dominant group intends to create negative illusions about marginalized people in order to put them in a hopeless situation. Hopelessness is a condition of despair marked by a pessimistic outlook on the future and the belief in insurmountable obstacles. This implies a link between fear and oppression, the inability to think about the future will keeps marginalized people stuck in the present, afraid of speaking up or fighting for change. The dominant group claims that the marginalized have no possibility of escaping racism. On the other hand, Lorde choose this refrain to send a message that, instead of sinking into negative illusions caused by the dominant group, Lorde chose to use this illusion as her motivation to fight for her rights.
5. Metaphor
According to Glucksberg (2001:4), a metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for an object or action that differs from its literal meaning.
It may also be regarded as a representative of an abstract concept that is difficult to describe. There must be some similarities between the two objects being compared in order to make this comparison. A metaphor translates the characteristics of a concrete object into a more abstract concept. It gives the reader a new perspective on one object by comparing it to another. In metaphor, the comparison between two
objects is implied or indirect (Perrine, 1969: 65). That means, the metaphorical term is closely related to the literal term. The following is an example of metaphor in the poetry A Litany for Survival:
For those of us who live at the shoreline (Line 1) standing upon the constant edges of decision crucial and alone
In this line, the "shoreline" represents an unconscious thought. The metaphor
"shoreline" implies that Lorde is feeling unconscious. Memories and emotions that are too painful, humiliating, shameful, or distressing to confront consciously are stored in the vast reservoir that is the unconscious mind. The stress caused by the pressure to make important life decisions can have a huge impact on a person who have unconscious thought. Based on the previous statement, Lorde describes her situation as "standing upon the constant edges of decision", in other words, Lorde is live on the edge of society and are constantly forced to make difficult decisions on her own.
6. Simile
Simile is a popular poetic device and poetically explaining how things are like other things. The poem's subject is described by comparing it to another object or subject, using the words 'as' or 'like.' Similes are useful tools for making language more creative, descriptive, and entertaining. Because the mind thinks in images and associations, similes are used to create stronger and more effective descriptions than adjectives or literal descriptions; they can elicit associated emotions, form new mental connections, and emphasize specific characteristics. The following are an example of simile in the poem A Litany for Survival:
like bread in our children’s mouth (Line 12) so their dreams will not reflect
the death of ours
In the final lines of this section, Lorde uses the example of "bread" in children's mouths. Lorde compare bread as food that is important for a person's life with the importance of their efforts for the survival of the younger generation in the future.
Bread is not just a tasty treat for many children around the world. As we are all aware that food is an absolute necessity in everyone's life. Food provides us with energy and nutrients, which aid in our growth and development. You are what you eat, simply put you will most certainly become what you put in your body, both morally and physically.
Lorde expresses her anxious feelings in this simile that the loss of her ambitions will have an impact on the children's future dreams because what she is doing now has a big impact on the survival for future generations. This simile expresses Lorde's desire for better opportunities and solutions for future generations that will help them succeed. Another simile that appears in this poem reads as follows:
like a faint line in the center of our foreheads (Line 17)
A faint line in the center of our foreheads is utilized to convey feelings or human emotions. Since forehead lines are frequently associated with self-expression, by employing a simile, Lorde wants to describe her fear, which is clearly visible through the line on her forehead.
After examining each part of the poem, the writer can determine the poem's message. Lorde as the author of this poem highlights the power of poetry and how
words may be utilized to challenge the oppressive majority's biased and limited roles for black women like herself. The poem makes the readers realize that life is not promised, assured, or permanent. This poem urges the readers to not be scared;
to hope; to dream; to improve their families' situations; to speak up; to love; and to enjoy life. The poem teaches the readers in a beautiful way that one cannot be bound by fear in order to survive. This message of living bravely inspires gratitude for life and the blessings that we have. Despite the fact that they were "never meant to survive," the poem reminds readers that it is better to do something, to take chances, and to spend their lives meaningfully.
7. Personification
Personification is human characteristics attributed to nonhuman things. Personification is a well-known literary technique that can be found in a variety styles of writing, including poetry. In the poem entitled A Woman Speaks, the use of personification can be seen in the first line:
Moon marked and touched by sun (Line 1)
Based on the previous statement, personification is defined as combining non- human things with human characteristic. When we look at the sentence, we can see how it contains examples of personification because the moon and sun are both non- human objects. The "sun" was depicted as performing human actions such as marking and touching. The first supporting keyword is "moon" as non-human subject which has the connotative meaning of a lower-class community. The main keyword in this concept is "sun" which has the connotation meaning of someone with the authority to rule society. The term "touched" as human characteristic refers
to a situation in which a higher social class dominates and influences a lower social class. Lorde employed personification in order to outlines the position of women in society, which was controlled by higher social class. Lorde depicts her own underestimated strength by describing herself as a moon that has been mysteriously touched and changed by the sun. Born into a tense family and society, Lorde quickly realized that "difference" was the root cause of conflict. She first discovered that she was black and, as such, could not be treated equally with Whites.
8. Visual Imagery
Imagery is a literary strategy that helps authors to construct vivid images in the minds of readers to help them imagine situations, characters, emotions, and settings in a work. The reader's emotional response is produced by the imagery. Imagery is more than just describing how something looks or how a character feels. It also implies and establishes the setting for the rest of the story. Visual imagery appeals to the sense of sight and is the most common type of imagery in literature. It provides a description of a scene or character. The following is an example of visual imagery in the poem A Woman Speaks:
Look into the entrails of Uranus (Line 14)
This helps readers in visualizing the planet Uranus, which is noted for having a lot of water and waves crashing over one another. It also describes Lorde’s passionate side. Lorde's experience, as seen here, is that of a woman whose desire and passion are very strong and about to explode.
9. Oxymoron
Oxymoron is a literary figure of speech that adds depth and technique to works. It entails putting words next to each other that imply different ideas or meanings in order to create a deeper meaning in the context.
love with pity (Line 11) nor hate with scorn (Line 12)
As a poetic device, the oxymoron can depict the depth of feeling expressed in passionate love or hate. Lorde try expressing deep feeling with contradicting language, she emphasizes the need of awareness. Lorde believes that when women want the attention of the world, they are not looking for special favor or pity, but rather a level playing field on which to realize their aspirations. There are no stereotypes or disadvantages in the environment (realm) of a level playing field, only the possibility to be seen as equals.
10. Allusion
An allusion is a reference, usually brief, to a person, place, thing, event, or other literary work with which the reader may be familiar. In the poem entitled A Woman Speaks, the use of allusion can be seen in line 21:
witches in Dahomey (Line 21)
It is interesting to me because of the cultural touches Lorde added subliminally throughout the poem, for example the allusion of Dahomey. By using the word
"witches in Dahomey" Lorde connects to legendary female soldiers existed in one of West Africa's kingdoms. By employing cultural and legendary typologies to inform a wide range of themes, Lorde brings her audience into full participation with their ancestry.
Lorde looked for a community that would accept her, which was an urgent and necessary requirement for survival. During her desperate search, she came across West African mythology. The myths and legends of West African culture provided her with a community in which she could live and contribute without having to change her personality. Lorde begs for female solidarity in order to give her the voice she needs to educate her black community, particularly her black sisters in America, and to remind these women that they were once warriors, heroines, and priestesses in African cultural history. As a result, it would give women renewed strength to fight oppression.