Story name: my mother pieced quilts
In Teresa Palomo Acosta’s “My Mother Pieced Quilts,” the mother’s quilts have sentimental value. They represent to the speaker something bigger and more important. What is it? In an essay of 250 words or more, explore the speaker’s relationship with her mother as told through the quilts. Cite specific lines from the poem to support your observations.
In Teresa Palomo Acosta's "My Mother Pieced Quilts," the speaker's relationship with her mother is vividly described through the quilts that her mother creates. These quilts hold sentimental value for the speaker, as they symbolize something much deeper - a connection to her mother's love, culture, and heritage.
Throughout the poem, the speaker's admiration and appreciation for her mother's quilts are evident. The speaker acknowledges that these quilts are not simply functional pieces of fabric stitched together, but they carry a profound significance. This is seen when the speaker states, "The sunlight shines through / on the irregular shadow / of squares and triangles." Here, the quilts are depicted as a source of light and warmth, both literally and metaphorically, in the speaker's life. They bring comfort and a sense of belonging, like rays of sunshine illuminating their home.
Furthermore, the quilts serve as a tangible link to the speaker's mother's love and heritage. The speaker reminisces, "I fell asleep to sounds of the whir / of her sewing machine late at night / days she'd be up before me / in the kitchen having our breakfasts warm." These lines emphasize the mother's dedication and love, as she works late into the night to create these quilts. It is through this act of creation that the mother passes on her heritage and traditions to her daughter.
The quilts also represent the speaker's mother's cultural identity, as evident in the line, "Our garments and curtains / were made from the same / thick fabric enriched by small flowers." The use of the same fabric in their garments and curtains showcases the mother's resourcefulness and pride in her culture. By piecing together these quilts, the mother preserves her heritage for future generations.
Overall, the speaker's relationship with her mother is beautifully portrayed through the quilts in Teresa Palomo Acosta's "My Mother Pieced Quilts." These quilts symbolize love, warmth, heritage, and culture - all of which the mother has shared and instilled in her daughter. Through the speaker's admiration and appreciation for the quilts, we can witness the deep bond between the speaker and her mother, bridging generations and preserving their shared heritage.