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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
Cough Medicine as a Symbol: The poem opens with a description of grape Robitussin, likened to "melted lollipop" and "heroin melting in a spoon." This comparison immediately introduces the idea of the cough medicine being both a source of relief and a potentially addictive substance. The speaker's desire for the medicine, "I want it. I want the grape. I want to sleep," underscores their longing for the comfort and escape it provides. Influence of Literature: The speaker references their school readings about addiction, specifically mentioning "the junkie goes cold turkey." These readings seem to have a profound impact on the child's imagination, as they liken themselves to an "opium-eater" and use vivid language such as "I ride the HoRsE" and "I have a MONKEY on my back." This shows how literature can shape a child's understanding and interpretation of their own experiences. Reading and Imagination: The speaker is portrayed as a child who reads extensively, perhaps too much for their own good: "Already I am the kind of child who should not be allowed to read so much or late at night." This insatiable appetite for reading feeds into their vivid imagination, creating a world where reality and fiction blur. Illness and Literary Imagery: The poem connects the speaker's coughing to literary images of suffering, such as "consumptives in my books, match-girls black from chimney dust." This connection suggests that the child's understanding of their own illness is heavily influenced by the dramatic and often morbid scenarios they encounter in literature. Dreams and Nightmares: The inability to sleep due to coughing prevents the speaker from dreaming, which is an essential part of their imaginative life. The poem ends with haunting images derived from their readings: "bony fingers that snap off and turn to candy, children who slip down the bathtub drain, who are frozen in place forever." These lines convey a sense of both fascination and fear, capturing the complex world of a child's imagination shaped by the stories they consume. In summary, "Cough Medicine" by Elizabeth Alexander is a complex and imaginative poem that delves into the mind of a child who is both ill and deeply influenced by literature. The poem explores themes of illness, addiction, and the power of the imagination, showing how literature can profoundly impact a child's perception of their experiences and the world around them. Through vivid imagery and a blend of reality and fiction, Alexander creates a rich tapestry of a child's inner world.
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