To a Sad Daughter Flashcards
Michael Ondaatje
TO A SAD DAUGHTER
things that you could guess from the title
the daughter isn’t actually in the poem or using her voice.
We could assume 2 things:
- He is able to see his daughter’s difficulties possible depression and sadness.
- This title is actually giving us a hint about what the father is feeling watching his daughter grow up
What is this poem about?
A poem about a father’s love for his daughter and his desire to guide her through life.
“0 My god! you say at breakfast”
Juxtaposition: place two things side by side that contrasts.
The writer is attempting to convey a sense of feminity into text. It is to show Juxtaposition between what we assume a girl to be like and what she’s actually like.
“For if you close your ears
only nothing happens. You will never change.”
⭐️⭐️ Why is he encouraging her to do this? If you don’t take risks, get in trouble, or get hurt, you are not going to grow as a person or live as much as someone who does.
“I’d rather be your closest friend than your father. I’m not good at advice.”
There is a level of self-awareness in the father’s actions as he recognizes his own limitations, but still understands how important it is to provide guidance to his daughter during this pivotal time in her life.
“you know that, but ride the ceremonies until they grow dark.”
Two ways to see this: METAPHOR
1. Hold onto the happy memories until you die(death)
or
Bare with me until I am old and I can’t do this anymore
“your real prize will be the frantic search.”
He doesn’t believe that here is only one specific ‘prize’ . For him, the ultimate gift for his child would be the chance to live in this chaotic world to experience new things, make mistakes, and get hurt.
This is very different from what some parents may wish: get married, get a job, etc.
“Don’t recall graves.”
Don’t remain stuck the loss of someone because this could impact your entire view of them and you could forget the good things.
“Remember the afternoon’s yellow suburban annunciation.”
Don’t focus on the deaths that will come or have happened, focus on the world of possibilities that await you.
purple moods
sad mood
Is he doing a good job or bad job as a father?
the meaning of sirens
He advises her to listen to the siren, even though it may lead to destruction, as he believes that change is crucial to personal growth and fulfilling life.
You step delicately
into the wild world
The word “wild” shows her innocence and her father’s awareness that the world is wild and it’s hard for her to have this journey.
Who’s the author of To A Sad Daughter?
Michael Ondaatje
theme
unconditional love that a parent (specifically a father) has for their child
