Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Marge Piercy’s poem "My Mother Gives Me Her Recipe" captures the essence of familial traditions, the transmission of knowledge across generations, and the unique blend of love and exasperation that often characterizes mother-daughter relationships. Through a conversational and somewhat fragmented narrative, Piercy portrays the mother's personality and the informal, intuitive way she imparts her culinary wisdom.

The poem begins with the mother’s casual and imprecise instructions: "Take some flour. Oh, I don't know, / like two-three cups, and you cut / in the butter." This opening sets the tone for the entire poem, reflecting a nonchalant and experiential approach to cooking. The use of "two-three cups" indicates a reliance on instinct rather than exact measurements, suggesting a kind of culinary artistry that is learned through practice rather than strict adherence to a recipe.

The mother’s preference for butter over shortening, "even though / that means you had to have fish, see?" introduces a cultural or religious nuance, hinting at kosher dietary laws where mixing meat and dairy is prohibited. This line subtly weaves in the cultural background that informs the recipe, adding depth to the mother’s character and her cooking practices.

The poem continues with the mother’s instructions on preparing the apples: "You cut up some apples. Not those / stupid sweet ones. Apples for the cake, / they have to have some bite, you know?" The specificity about the type of apples needed for the recipe ("A little sour in the sweet, like love") highlights the balance of flavors and adds a layer of metaphorical meaning, equating the complexity of taste with the complexity of love.

The mother’s frustration is evident when she corrects the daughter’s slicing technique: "No, no! Like half or crescent / moons. You aren't listening." This moment captures the impatience and insistence on detail that often accompanies the teaching process, especially in family settings where perfection is tied to tradition and memory.

The recipe continues with instructions that blend practical advice with more cultural references: "You mix sugar and cinnamon and cloves, / some women use allspice, till it's dark / and you stir in the apples. You coat / every little moon." The mixture of spices reflects a rich culinary tradition, and the careful coating of each apple piece symbolizes thoroughness and care in both cooking and familial relationships.

The mother's casual mention of milk, "Oh, just till it feels right. / Use your hands. Milk in the cake part!" reinforces the theme of intuition over precision. The tactile nature of "Use your hands" emphasizes a hands-on, sensory approach to cooking, one that connects the cook intimately with the ingredients.

As the poem progresses, the mother’s memory and instructions become more scattered: "I forgot to say you add baking powder. / Did I forget a little lemon on the apples?" This scatterbrained delivery captures the realistic, imperfect way in which family recipes are often communicated—full of interruptions and corrections.

The mother’s desire for aesthetic appeal is shown in her final instructions: "You can make / a pattern, like a weave. It's pretty / that way. I like things pretty." This preference for prettiness in the arrangement of the apples on the cake reflects a broader appreciation for beauty and order, even in simple, everyday tasks.

The poem concludes with a humorous and affectionate jab at a family member: "Any fool can make it / except your aunt. I / gave her the recipe / but she never / got it right." This ending encapsulates the familial dynamic, where shared recipes become a measure of competence and a source of gentle rivalry or criticism.

"My Mother Gives Me Her Recipe" by Marge Piercy is a tender and vivid exploration of the ways in which family traditions are passed down. Through the mother's informal and detailed instructions, Piercy conveys not only the process of making a beloved cake but also the love, history, and personality embedded in the act of cooking. The poem beautifully captures the essence of familial relationships and the ways in which they are sustained and remembered through shared culinary practices.

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