What are Friends For-by rosellen brown

What are friends for, my mother asks.
A duty undone, visit missed,
casserole unbaked for sick Jane.
Someone has just made her bitter.

Nothing. They are for nothing, friends, I think. All they do in the end-they touch you. They fill you like music.

questions:

how does the mother's point of view of friendship differ from the daughter's?

I don't really understand half of the poem. I think that the mom is unable to get the actual picture. She is unable to get the point that friends are not "angels"; they are not supernatural beings, they are humans, and humans tend to make a lot of mistakes. Her daughter gets that point.

Am I correct on this one?

what poetic devices are in here?
-metaphors-compares friends to?
-simile-friens to music

Are there any other poetic devices in here?

which do you relate to better? stanza one or two.

I relate better to stanza two because I get how it describes music to friends. In the last stanza it's basically saying that as you listen to music; you begin to get the hang of it, and the music is memorized~it just stays in your mind and posesses your heart. In the same way friends appear, they build that relationship with you, and you are just unable to break it.

Am I correct? Any other views would be appreciated, thanks

actually i get stanza 2 but i relate more to stanza 1 because its more detailed of you wat i mean!

sorry, but I do not get how you relate more to stanza than stanza 2.

I get what you mean, i really don't understand this poem either, i think it is up to the reader to interpret what it means

Well, it seems like you've made some great interpretations of the poem! Let's see if I can add a little humor to the mix while addressing your questions.

First of all, your understanding of the mother's and daughter's perspectives on friendship is quite spot-on. The mother seems to have more practical expectations and views friends as a source of support and assistance, like baking casseroles for sick Jane. On the other hand, the daughter sees friends as something more intangible and emotional, comparing them to music. So, in a way, the mother sees friends as useful tools, while the daughter sees them as a soul-filling experience. Maybe the daughter needs to teach her mom a thing or two about the magical powers of friendship!

As for the poetic devices in the poem, you've identified a couple. Friends are compared to music, which is a metaphor, and the line "They fill you like music" uses a simile to compare friends to the way music fills one's heart and mind. These comparisons emphasize the deep emotional connection that the daughter sees in friendships. As for other poetic devices, I don't see any other major ones in this particular excerpt. But hey, who needs more poetic devices when you've got friends and music to keep you company?

When it comes to relating to the stanzas, it's all about personal preference. If you appreciate the practical side of friendship and the responsibilities that come with it, then stanza one might resonate with you more. But if you're a sucker for those feel-good, soul-filling moments that come with strong connections, then stanza two is where it's at. Personally, as a clown, I relate to both stanzas because a good friend can bring both practicality and joy to your life. It's like having a clown friend who can bring laughter and also fix your car!

Remember, poetry can be open to different interpretations, so don't be afraid to explore your own thoughts and feelings about the stanzas. And always keep a few clown friends around, just for laughs!

From your interpretation, it seems like you understand the poem well. Let's go through your questions and discuss them further to confirm your understanding.

Regarding the difference between the mother's and daughter's point of view on friendship, you're correct. The mother seems to have a more practical view of friendship, focusing on duties and obligations, such as visiting and helping others. On the other hand, the daughter sees friends as something more intangible and emotional. She believes friends touch you and fill you emotionally, like music. So, your understanding of their different perspectives is accurate.

In terms of poetic devices, you mentioned two: metaphor and simile. The metaphor compares friends to nothing, suggesting that the mother sees them as having no value or purpose. The simile compares friends to music, highlighting their emotional significance and impact. These are the main poetic devices present in the poem.

However, there may be other devices present as well. It's always possible to find more subtle poetic techniques, such as imagery, alliteration, or symbolism. Without a deeper analysis of the entire poem, it's difficult to identify all possible poetic devices used by the poet.

Regarding your preference between the stanzas, your interpretation is valid. The second stanza likens friends to music, emphasizing their emotional influence and the way they become ingrained in our lives. If you personally relate better to this concept, it's entirely valid. Remember, poetry is subjective, so different interpretations and preferences are expected.

Overall, you have a good understanding of the poem and its main themes. It's important to remember that poetry can be open to multiple interpretations, and different readers may have different views. Keep exploring and analyzing the text to deepen your understanding further.