The Mother
The poem explores the profound emotional landscape of motherhood, focusing on the deep connection between a mother and her child. The mother is depicted as a nurturing figure, using soothing words and gestures to comfort her child. Her compassion is palpable, as she reflects on the struggles and challenges that lie ahead for her child in a harsh world. As she gazes into the future, her thoughts traverse the painful experiences and societal barriers that her child may encounter. The imagery of "branding bars" and "seething tears" suggests a recognition of the injustices and hardships that can mar a life. Despite this awareness, the mother strives to protect her child from the weight of these realities, attempting to instill hope and joy through her smile. The poem captures the duality of a mother's love: the desire to shield her child from pain while simultaneously acknowledging the inevitable suffering that life can bring. The mother's internal struggle is highlighted, as she grapples with her own sorrow and the unspoken burdens she carries. The closing lines emphasize the depth of her anguish, which remains hidden from the world, known only to her and to God. Overall, the work presents a poignant meditation on the sacrifices and emotional complexities inherent in motherhood, illustrating the tension between nurturing innocence and confronting the harsh truths of existence.
By Georgia Douglas Johnson · First published 1918 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Drama · 111 words
First lines
The mother soothes her mantled child With incantation sad and wild; A deep compassion brims her eye And stills upon her lips, the sigh.
Her thoughts are leaping down the years, O'er branding bars, through seething tears, Her heart is sandaling his feet Adown the world's corroding street.
Then, with a start she dons a smile His tender yearnings to beguile, And only God will ever know The wordless measure of her woe.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mother is listed on Textopian as a poem by Georgia Douglas Johnson, dated 1918 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Date: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Fiction, Drama, Romanticism, Social Commentary
- Length: 111 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mother by Georgia Douglas Johnson
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- My Son by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Maternity by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Ivy by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- Little Son by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- The Measure by Georgia Douglas Johnson
- To Your Eyes by Georgia Douglas Johnson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, utilizing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
- Literary Fiction — The themes of motherhood, compassion, and emotional depth align with literary fiction's focus on character and thematic exploration.
- Drama — The emotional intensity and conflict present in the mother-child relationship suggest dramatic elements.
- Romanticism — The emphasis on emotion, nature, and individual experience reflects characteristics of Romantic literature.
Tags
Poetry · Motherhood · Family · Love · Loss · Grief · Identity · Social Justice · Racism · Societal Expectations · Femininity · Maternal Love