Gladys Cardiff- Combing Flashcards
Gladys Cardiff is American poet, associate professor in
Oakland University
She is popularly known for her collection of poetry -
To frighten a storm, A Bare Unpainted table.
Her interests lies in Native American, African American and American Literature, she refers to indigenous people in her poetry, especially drawing attention to their cultural heritage by quoting _______ in her work
Cherokee
What is her poetry Coming about?
Her poetry “Combing” Ponders a simple activity in one generation can be carried on through many generation.The deeper meaning is the speaker has a dilemma and must make a decision. In “Combing” a mother is braiding and combing her daughter’s hair. She remembers a time when her own mother did the same to her hair. Then her mother combs her grandmother’s hair from a comb made of bone. This symbolizes the tradition of braiding hair for each generation.
My daughter’s hair
curls against the comb,
wet and fragrant— orange
parings.
Connotation
The word “orange”
- describes the color of the hair, the coil of the stove, and the rags torn for rugs
- the color gives off a sense of warmth and happiness suggesting the warmhearted affection people feel from their loved ones
Her face, downcast,
is quiet for one so young
One meaning of downcast is sad. However, there is no hint of sadness in the poem. The poet seems to be using the word in its other sense, “turned downward,” because the poem’s characters are described as leaning forward with tilted heads.
I take her place. Beneath my mother’s hands I feel the braids drawn up tight as piano wires and singing, vinegar-rinsed
“braid”
- hairstyle
- separate strands of hair represent the different generations, all being connected and intertwined
Bending, I bow my head and lay my hands upon her hair, combing, and think how women do this for each other.
Attitude
The way the author speaks of the
bond of an ordinary activity and how it connects one generation to the next creates a feeling of comfort. This poem expresses a feeling of affection, because of how it is linked between a family. Also, while reading this poem, the tone is very relaxed and calm
I take her place. Beneath my mother’s hands I feel the braids drawn up tight as piano wires and singing, vinegar rinsed. Sitting before the oven I hear the orange coils tick the early hour before school
Shift
The shift occurs in lines 10-17.
The poem now relates to the speaker, which is the mother, who is sharing a memory of when her mother would comb and braid her hair. It affects the poem by sharing a personal experience from the speaker. This shows the reoccurring activity of preparing hair and how it connects to the same experience of her daughter.
Theme
Theme
A simple act in every day life can link together different generations that are separated by time.
“braids drawn up tight as piano wires “
”
- simile
- comparing the braid to be as strong and tight as piano wire
- symbol of how strong the bond is between women throughout the generations
“Sitting before the oven I hear The orange coils tick The early hour before school.”
The ticking sound acts as a clock and resembles the passing of time as each generation follows the next
Curls against the comb,
Wet and fragrant”
Vinegar-rinsed”
- imagery
- also shows the similarity between the daughter
and mother’s experience
