An Analysis of the Poem Miss Rosie by Lucille Clifton

Clifton’s use of repetition in the poem “miss rosie” displays the narrator’s compassion for Miss Rosie, thus showing he is the only one who's been affected by her. By repeating the same phrase multiple times, emphasis is put on the fact that no one besides the narrator is compassionate for Miss Rosie. For example, when the narrator states, “when I watch you / wrapped up like garbage” (1-2), “when I watch you / in your old man’s shoes” (6-7), and “when I watch you / you wet brown bag of a woman” (12-13), Clifton indicates the narrator is the only one looking at Miss Rosie, because of her use of singular pronouns, rather than plural.

If the narrator is the only one paying any attention to Miss Rosie, he must be concerned for her in some way, which further shows his compassion for her. This is a result of her affecting him and only him. Another portrayal of this compassion for Miss Rosie is demonstrated in the following quote, “I stand up / through your destruction / I stand up” (16-18). Once again, Clifton uses a singular pronoun to prove the narrator is the only one who’s been affected by Miss Rosie.

Since the narrator is the only one standing up against Miss Rosie’s destruction, he proves to be the only one who shows compassion for her due to being affected by her. Repetition of these phrases helps to show how the narrator is the only one affected by Miss Rosie because they indicate no one besides the narrator is compassionate enough to do something about it.

Related Questions

on An Analysis of the Poem Miss Rosie by Lucille Clifton

What is the analysis of the poem Miss Rosie?

Miss Rosie is a poem by Lucille Clifton that tells the story of a woman who is struggling to make ends meet. The poem paints a vivid picture of the hardships of poverty and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of difficult circumstances.

What are the themes of the poem Miss Rosie?

The main themes of the poem Miss Rosie are resilience, strength, and perseverance. The poem celebrates the hard work and determination of Miss Rosie, a woman who has faced many hardships but continues to work hard and remain hopeful. It also speaks to the power of community and the importance of coming together to support one another.

What is the tone of the poem Miss Rosie?

The tone of the poem "Miss Rosie" is one of admiration and respect. The speaker is in awe of Miss Rosie's strength and resilience in the face of adversity, and is inspired by her courage and determination.

What is the theme of Clifton's poem?

The theme of Clifton's poem is resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. It emphasizes the importance of staying strong and never giving up, even when faced with difficult challenges.

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An Analysis of the Poem Miss Rosie by Lucille Clifton. (2016, Jul 22). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/an-analysis-of-the-poem-miss-rosie-by-lucille-clifton/

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