|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Lee" by Lucille Clifton is a contemplative and nuanced poem that delves into the complexities of identity, heritage, and the legacies of the American Civil War, particularly as they pertain to the African American experience. Through the lens of her father's claimed connection to the Lees—a family synonymous with the Confederacy and its military leadership—Clifton explores themes of honor, myth-making, and the personal reconciliation of a contentious historical narrative with individual identity. The poem begins with a declaration of lineage, "my mother’s people / belonged to the lees," immediately setting the stage for a dialogue between personal family history and the broader historical implications of such a lineage. This statement, coupled with her father's "litany / of names old lighthorse harry / old robert e," invokes the legacy of prominent Confederate figures, suggesting a pride in ancestral connection that is fraught with complexity given the Lees' association with the Confederacy and the institution of slavery. Clifton's description of her father as "who lied on his deathbed / who knew the truth / but didn’t always choose it" introduces the theme of selective memory and the construction of identity through storytelling. Her father's adherence to a narrative of honor, despite its potential fabrication, speaks to the human desire for a dignified heritage, even if it necessitates a dissonance with historical reality and moral scrutiny. The poem delves deeper into the contradictions inherent in venerating Robert E. Lee, "that man of honor / praised by grant and lincoln / worshipped by his men / revered by the state of virginia." Clifton acknowledges the complexity of Lee's legacy, recognized for his personal honor even as he fought for a cause that sought to uphold slavery. This acknowledgment does not condone Lee's actions but rather reflects on the multifaceted nature of historical figures and the ways in which they are remembered and honored. The closing lines, "if he was indeed to be / the child of slaves / he would decide himself / that proud old man / i can see him now / chaining his mother to lee," strike at the heart of the poem's exploration of identity and legacy. Clifton's father, "the child of slaves," asserts a connection to Lee as a means of constructing a personal narrative of pride and honor, despite the inherent contradiction of an African American claiming lineage from a Confederate general. This choice represents a complex negotiation of identity, where personal and historical narratives collide and coexist. "Lee" is a profound meditation on the narratives we choose to embrace and the legacies we claim as our own. Lucille Clifton masterfully navigates the terrain of memory, myth, and identity, inviting readers to reflect on the stories we tell about ourselves and our ancestors, and the ways in which these stories shape our understanding of who we are. Through her exploration of her father's claimed lineage and its implications, Clifton reveals the intricate dance between history and personal identity, challenging us to consider the honor and contradictions inherent in our own familial legacies.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE NIGHT THAT LORCA COMES by BOB KAUFMAN THE MYSTIC RIVER by GALWAY KINNELL ENTERING THE SOUTH by LUCILLE CLIFTON SNAPSHOTS OF THE COTTON SOUTH by FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS JULY IN GEORGY by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON O SOUTHLAND! by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON MY SOUTH: 1. ON THE PORCH by DONALD JUSTICE MY SOUTH: 3. ON THE FARM by DONALD JUSTICE MY SOUTH: 4. ON THE TRAIN, HEADING NORTH THROUGH FLORIDA ... by DONALD JUSTICE INSCRIPTION FOR A FOUNTAIN ON A HEATH by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE |
| |