'What is the tone of the poem El Olvido? Describe the speaker's attitude towards the subject and support your description by commenting on word choice and rhythm.'
The tone of the poem ‘El Olvido’ is intense as a mother prays for her child who has forgotten all the important things of his past such as his birthplace, his religion, the voices of his ancestors, and the clothes he was born to wear. The speaker is frightened as she prays for his soul. This is shown in lines 12-13 of the poem: “before which your mother kneels, praying with embarrasing fervor.” The speaker is also demanding as she tells three kids that forgetfulness is a dangerous thing. This is made obvious in the poem because the phrase ‘it is a dangerous thing’ is repeated several times throughout the poem.
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MC... she is terrified that her son will lose his "being" ( who he is) as characterized by his background, his religion. Demanding has nothing to do with it. When I saw my son starting to cross the street and I screamed like a banshee, I was not being demanding, I was scared spitless that he was going to get run over. As I said before FEEL the poem..... put your feet in her shoes.
Ok, thank you so much Guru!
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In the Poem El Olvido, the mother is not speaking to three children. She is praying for the intercession of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Jesus, being the Christ and God, and Mary and Joseph, being Jesus' earthly parents.
Recall the line above about praying to "plaster" saints. The mother is imploring the saints to join her in praying for her wayward child.
To determine the tone of the poem "El Olvido," we need to examine the speaker's attitude towards the subject and analyze the word choice and rhythm used in the poem.
First, the speaker's attitude towards the subject is best described as intense. The speaker is deeply concerned and emotionally invested in the plight of the child who has forgotten their past. This intensity is evident in the way the speaker prays for the child's soul with what is described as "embarrassing fervor" in lines 12-13. This suggests a sense of urgency and fear for the child's well-being.
The word choice in the poem also contributes to the overall tone. For example, the repetition of the phrase "it is a dangerous thing" emphasizes the speaker's strong belief that forgetfulness is detrimental. This repetition further intensifies the tone, as the speaker seems adamant in conveying the message about the dangers of forgetting.
Furthermore, the poem's rhythm plays a role in conveying the tone. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it does not adhere to a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This lack of structure creates a sense of rawness and urgency, echoing the intense emotions felt by the speaker.
Overall, the tone of the poem "El Olvido" is characterized by intensity, fear, urgency, and a demanding attitude. This is supported by the speaker's emotional investment, the repetitive use of the phrase "it is a dangerous thing," and the free verse rhythm that adds to the raw and urgent feel of the poem.