'The Gift' by Li-Young Lee


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Rose1986To pull the metal splinter from my palm
my father recited a story in a low voice.
I watched his lovely face and not the blade.
Before the story ended, he'd removed
the iron sliver I thought I'd die from.I can't remember the tale,
but hear his voice still, a well
of dark water, a prayer.
And I recall his hands,
two measures of tenderness
he laid against my face,
the flames of discipline
he raised above my head.Had you entered that afternoon
you would have thought you saw a man
planting something in a boy's palm,
a silver tear, a tiny flame.
Had you followed that boy
you would have arrived here,
where I bend over my wife's right hand.Look how I shave her thumbnail down
so carefully she feels no pain.
Watch as I lift the splinter out.
I was seven when my father
took my hand like this,
and I did not hold that shard
between my fingers and think,

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Gift by Li-Young Lee

Introduction:

Li-Young Lee is an American poet of Chinese origin, known for his works that evoke a sense of nostalgia, longing, and cultural identity. In his collection of poems, "The Gift," Lee explores the themes of memory, family, and love through personal experiences and universal emotions.

Summary:

The Gift is a collection of poems that reflects on the poet's personal experiences of growing up in a Chinese-American family, his relationship with his father, and the various stages of love. The poems are divided into three sections, each with its own distinct thematic focus.

In the first section, "The Gift," Lee presents a series of poems that explore the relationship between fathers and sons. He reflects on his own relationship with his father, who was a political prisoner in China, and the struggles he faced in trying to connect with him. One of the key themes of this section is the idea of inheritance, both in terms of cultural traditions and personal experiences.

The second section, "The Weight of Sweetness," focuses on the theme of love and its various forms. Lee explores the intensity of romantic love, the complexities of familial love, and the bittersweet nature of love that is lost or unrequited. In these poems, he weaves together memories of his childhood and his experiences as an adult to create a rich tapestry of emotion and imagery.

The final section, "From Blossoms," is a celebration of the natural world and the beauty of life. Lee's poems in this section are filled with sensual imagery that evoke the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. He reflects on the cyclical nature of life, the passing of time, and the beauty that can be found in even the most mundane moments.

Analysis:

The Gift is a deeply personal collection of poems that explores universal themes of love, family, and identity. Through his use of vivid imagery and sensory language, Lee is able to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing that is both specific to his own experiences and relatable to readers from all backgrounds.

One of the key themes of the collection is the idea of inheritance. Lee explores the ways in which cultural traditions and personal experiences are passed down from generation to generation. In "This Room and Everything in It," he reflects on the objects that have been passed down to him from his father, and the memories and emotions that they hold. He writes:

"I've inherited my father's love of labors, his sense of order and his love of leaving his watch on the dresser at night."

In this poem, Lee captures the sense of connection that can be felt through shared experiences and inherited traits.

Another theme that runs throughout the collection is the idea of memory and its power to shape our sense of self. In "Eating Alone," Lee reflects on the memories of his childhood that come flooding back to him as he eats a simple meal:

"I take my time. All around me is a great darkness, pierced by small lights. I eat slowly, trying to taste my life."

Through his use of sensory language and vivid imagery, Lee is able to convey the power of memory to shape our understanding of who we are and where we come from.

The collection also explores the theme of love in its various forms. In "I Ask My Mother to Sing," Lee reflects on the power of music to connect us to loved ones who have passed away:

"I am afraid to touch the things in the room, the wind, the wind from those times. I am afraid to touch my mother's skin, afraid her skin will fall off in my hand."

Through this poem, Lee captures the bittersweet nature of love that is lost or unrequited, and the longing that can accompany memories of the past.

Overall, The Gift is a powerful collection of poems that explores universal themes of love, family, and identity. Through his use of vivid imagery and sensory language, Lee is able to connect with readers on a deep and emotional level, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing that is both personal and universal.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has the power to evoke emotions, stir the soul, and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that has the ability to do all of this and more is "The Gift" by Li-Young Lee. This classic poem is a beautiful exploration of the relationship between a father and son, and the importance of passing down traditions and memories.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a box that his father gave him when he was young. The box is described as being made of "teakwood, heavy and fine," and the speaker notes that it was "carved with flowers and birds." The box is a physical representation of the gift that the father is giving his son - a gift that is not just a material possession, but a symbol of the memories and traditions that the father wants to pass down to his son.

The father tells his son that inside the box is "nothing," but the son knows that this is not true. The box is filled with memories, stories, and traditions that the father wants to pass down to his son. The son understands the importance of these memories and traditions, and he cherishes the box and what it represents.

The poem then shifts to the father's memories of his own father. The father remembers his father telling him stories about their family's history and traditions. He remembers his father's hands, "rough and scaly," and how they would hold him and teach him about the world. The father understands the importance of passing down these memories and traditions, and he wants to do the same for his own son.

The poem then returns to the present, with the son reflecting on the gift that his father has given him. He understands that the box is not just a physical object, but a symbol of his father's love and the memories and traditions that he wants to pass down. The son understands that these memories and traditions are a part of him, and he will carry them with him always.

The poem ends with the son reflecting on the importance of passing down traditions and memories. He understands that these things are what connect us to our past and our ancestors, and they are what make us who we are. The son understands that the gift that his father has given him is not just for him, but for future generations as well.

"The Gift" is a beautiful exploration of the relationship between a father and son, and the importance of passing down traditions and memories. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke feelings and transport us to different worlds.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of imagery. The teakwood box that the father gives his son is described in great detail, with the speaker noting that it is "heavy and fine" and "carved with flowers and birds." This description not only gives the reader a clear picture of the box, but it also emphasizes its importance. The box is not just a simple object, but a symbol of the memories and traditions that the father wants to pass down to his son.

The imagery in the poem is not limited to the box, however. The father's memories of his own father are also described in great detail, with the speaker noting his father's "rough and scaly" hands. This description not only gives the reader a clear picture of the father's hands, but it also emphasizes the importance of touch and physical connection in passing down traditions and memories.

Another striking aspect of the poem is the use of repetition. The phrase "This is what he gave me" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of the gift that the father has given his son. The repetition also serves to reinforce the idea that the gift is not just a physical object, but a symbol of the memories and traditions that the father wants to pass down.

The poem also explores the theme of identity and the importance of knowing one's past. The son understands that the memories and traditions that his father wants to pass down are a part of him, and he will carry them with him always. The poem emphasizes the idea that our past and our ancestors are a part of who we are, and that it is important to know and understand our history in order to fully understand ourselves.

In conclusion, "The Gift" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the relationship between a father and son, and the importance of passing down traditions and memories. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful emotions, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke feelings and transport us to different worlds. The poem emphasizes the importance of knowing one's past and understanding the traditions and memories that make us who we are. "The Gift" is a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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