Poetry Analysis

1. Poetry Analysis Analyzing “After the Wedding” by Marisa Anlin Alps

2. Marisa Anlin Alps Info about author: • Background: Chinese and Dutch descent • Born in 1970 • Grew up in BC (Quadra Island)

3. “After the Wedding” Form of the poem: • Contains elements of both lyric and narrative • free verse • Written in first person

4. Irony “The first time I realized I was Chinese” (line 1). • Limited exposure to family • Sense of identity is not developed

5. Shift • Tone initially is uncertain, tense, and questioning (stanza 1) • “Suddenly it hit me and I knew” (line 10). Shift is signalled by the word “suddenly” as it conveys her realization of who she is • Tone becomes somewhat humorous and relaxed • The back and forth in tone shows the speaker’s internal conflict and attempt to reconcile her view of her cultural identity and her true heritage

6. Imagery • She realizes that she belongs and that acceptance is not from outside but also needs to be within, from inside her • Exploration of what she identifies with and the distance not only emotionally, but geographically: “I felt white/for the first time in my life, different from everyone around me” (line 20-21). • Internal struggle is evident

7. Use of imagery • Auditory: “Caribbean accents” (line 14) • Visual: “split leaf plants that my grandmother smuggled into Trinidad” (line16-17) • The movement signifies change or displacement. Moving to a new location and being accepted into the earth and thriving • Plants are symbolic of new life and growth, “flourish[ing]” (line 18).

8. Imagery • Gustatory: “tripe and/chicken feet” (line 23-24) Shared sensory experience of enjoying their meal and being together as a family instead of vocalizations about their feelings: “and the wonder of what was not said” (line 24-25)

9. Imagery • Visual and auditory: “long and noisy tables”(26) • “sunflowers” symbolize life and rebirth (27) Synesthesia: Visual and gustatory: • “The flowers scented the air like wine” (32)

10. Final shift toward acceptance Metaphor is used to convey the speaker’s newfound acceptance of her identity and connection with her “Chinese” side of her family: • “horizons shrinking and changing before my eyes” (38-39) • “a second wedding taking place/within me, two/inheritances exchanging vows” (line 40-42)

11. Inner Conflict • The speaker is struggling with her identity. She is not yet comfortable and has not yet embraced her identity: “My cousin asked me to dance but I was shy, eyes downcast. How did he see me?” (30-31) • The question within her also has to do with herself. How does she see herself? How does she reconcile her understanding of herself and who she is?

12. Mood • Imagery creates an overall sentimental, harmonious, and contemplative feeling • At times in the poem, the speaker’s anxiety and uncertainty creates empathy for the her feelings of intimidation and distress.

13. Theme statement • An individual’s sense of identity may be unique and often transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries. • Identity extends beyond appearance.

14. Symbolism • What does the second wedding symbolize? • How does it exist “within [her]” (line 41)? • Explain the metaphor of a wedding and how it contributes to meaning and the theme of the poem