The New Yorker: Poetry
Rae Armantrout Reads Dorothea Lasky
Nov 27, 2024
Rae Armantrout, a celebrated American poet and Pulitzer Prize winner, joins Kevin Young for a captivating dialogue. They explore Dorothea Lasky's poem 'Mother,' unraveling its themes of loss and maternal longing within a surreal landscape. Armantrout shares insights into her own poem 'Finally,' blending humor with the complexities of marriage. The discussion dives deep into the duality of love poetry, revealing how contrasting emotions illuminate profound truths, all while reflecting on poetry's role in personal and political landscapes.
28:58
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Quick takeaways
- Dorothea Lasky's poem 'Mother' intricately weaves themes of maternal loss and identity through evocative imagery and a relentless search.
- Rae Armantrout emphasizes the duality of ordinary motherhood and epic quests, blending personal experiences with universal themes of grief and connection.
Deep dives
Exploring the Complexity of 'Mother'
The poem 'Mother' by Dorothy Alasky presents a profound exploration of maternal loss and longing through simple yet evocative language. The speaker embarks on a quest, searching in a rose garden for her mother, revealing layers of grief intertwined with mythological undertones. As she navigates through dangers symbolized by noxious animals, the imagery reflects both a physical and emotional journey, suggesting that the act of searching is central to one's identity. The poem's repetitive structure, with phrases like 'searching and searching,' emphasizes a sense of timelessness and the haunting nature of absence, ultimately leading the speaker to a state of acceptance and self-discovery.
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