The Craft and Form of 'Miscegenation'

Trethewey employs the Gazelle form, a poetic structure characterized by couplets that repeat a key word—in this case, 'Mississippi'—to unify diverse threads of her narrative. This structure not only showcases her skill in poetry but also encapsulates complex themes such as family history, racial perception, and legal injustices. The poem incorporates elements from various literary and musical traditions, including a reference to Nina Simone's song 'Mississippi Goddamn', thus linking the personal to the broader cultural landscape. Through this creative form, Trethewey encourages reflection on the interconnectedness of personal and collective stories, ultimately prompting readers to reconsider their own identities and histories.