Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Natasha Trethewey's poem "Signs, Oakvale, Mississippi, 1941," the tension between aspiration and apprehension takes center stage as a young woman embarks on a journey with a man. The poem adopts a sonnet form, traditionally associated with love and desire, but employs it to explore the complexities of hope, promise, and the signs that may or may not indicate a fortunate path ahead.

The poem opens with a sense of excitement and movement: "The first time she leaves home is with a man." Immediately, the reader is aware that the woman is undertaking a monumental step, leaving her home, and the feeling is intensified by her choice of company-a man who, presumably, is a stranger to her family or community. They're traveling on "Highway 49, heading north," indicating that this is more than a casual day trip. Her sense of wonder at this new adventure is reflected as she "watches the pine woods roll by."

Yet, the poem gradually introduces notes of apprehension. The woman begins to count "dead possum along the road, crows in splotches of light," seeking omens or "signs for luck." This focus on possible signs of fortune or misfortune conveys an inherent uncertainty about the journey she has undertaken. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of the crows-a traditional omen of bad luck or death-in "splotches of light," adds a layer of complexity to her interpretation of these signs.

The man's material wealth and promises appeal to her: "He has a fine car, she thinks. And money green enough to buy a dream." She considers his offerings of "land to farm back home, new dresses, a house where she'd be queen" as opportunities too good to pass up. Yet, there's a subtle hint of suspicion, seen in the parenthetical, "Was the gap in his teeth cause for alarm?" This raises a moment of doubt, suggesting that her awareness of potential signs isn't limited to the road they're traveling but extends to the man she's with.

As they continue to drive, the external world mirrors her inner thoughts. "Outside her window, nothing but cotton and road signs - stop or slow." These are the most direct signs yet, signaling caution. The world beyond the car window seems barren except for the cotton fields, perhaps symbolic of the hard labor and limited opportunities she may be trying to escape.

The poem culminates in this moment, blending the woman's internal and external journeys. While she has sought signs to confirm her choices, the only concrete signs she encounters are those instructing her to "stop or slow." These signs echo the subtle notes of apprehension and doubt that have emerged throughout the poem. Yet, they don't tell her to turn back; they suggest caution, reflecting her own uncertainty about the path ahead.

In "Signs, Oakvale, Mississippi, 1941," Trethewey crafts a compelling narrative of a young woman caught between the allure of a new life and the uncertainty that accompanies such drastic change. Using the sonnet form, she encapsulates a complex emotional experience, creating a narrative space where hope and hesitation coexist, neither fully realized. The woman's journey, both physical and emotional, becomes a compelling tableau of human aspiration, richly layered with signs that are as ambiguous as they are evocative.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...