Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Alice Fulton's "Fortunes of Aunt Fran" vividly captures the resilience and enduring spirit of Aunt Fran, a character whose life embodies a blend of practicality and superstition, hope and pragmatism. Through rich imagery and personal reflection, the poem explores themes of luck, hardship, and the small rituals that give meaning to everyday life.

The poem opens with a dynamic scene: "Whenever I chase the rushhour bus, Fran returns, in assertive hat and earrings." This sets the stage for the memories of Aunt Fran, who appears in the speaker's mind during moments of rush and hustle. The "assertive hat and earrings" symbolize Fran's boldness and individuality, standing out in the mundanity of daily routines.

The earrings, described as "spinning bingo chips of luck at each lobe," contrast with the speaker's more conventional "diamond studs." This comparison highlights Fran's unique approach to life, where she embraces luck and chance, symbolized by the bingo chips, as opposed to the static, traditional symbols of wealth and status like diamond studs. The imagery of the spinning chips also suggests movement and unpredictability, characteristics of Fran's outlook on life.

Fulton moves on to recall Fran's work life: "I see her turning collars for eight bucks a week; I breathe the cafeteria years." These lines evoke a sense of the relentless, often monotonous labor that defined much of Fran's life. The act of "turning collars" for meager wages and enduring the "cafeteria years" underscores the economic hardships she faced. Despite these challenges, Fran managed to find companionship and moments of joy in her interactions with others, particularly on buses where "Fran had found fast friends."

The speaker reflects on Fran's ability to "love the lumpy banquet life served up," attributing this to "a lack of hope." This phrase introduces a complex view of Fran's contentment, suggesting that her acceptance of life's imperfections might stem from a resignation to her circumstances. Yet, the speaker also recognizes a certain defiance in Fran's embrace of the "lumpy banquet," hinting at a deeper wisdom in finding joy in what life offers, however flawed.

The poem’s concluding lines bring us to a poignant memory: "I recall her, still uniformed, / on our porch, wishing on the lucky ship, rubbing its fake / jade hull as the fortune cookie-Hong-Kong-gift-shop-tag directed." This image of Fran, still in her work uniform, participating in a small ritual of hope, encapsulates her blend of practicality and belief in luck. The "lucky ship" and its "fake jade hull" are symbols of her optimism and the small, everyday acts of faith that provided her comfort and perhaps a sense of control in an uncertain world.

"Fortunes of Aunt Fran" is a touching tribute to a woman who navigated life's challenges with a mix of realism and hopeful superstition. Through Fulton's vivid imagery and reflective tone, the poem celebrates Fran's resilience and the ways she found meaning and connection in the routines of her life. The poem invites readers to appreciate the small rituals and symbols that sustain us, and to recognize the quiet strength in accepting life's "lumpy banquet" with grace and humor.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Palladium/RWjI05rrZ8kC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=AUNT%20FRAN

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