The Grandmother (Ray Young Bear)

American Indian poet Ray Young Bear in his poem Grandmother describes his grandmother using similes, metamorphose and sense verbs. Depicting (pointing) a portrait (image) of grandmother of his tribe. The poet also reveals (show) the socio-economic status of Mesquaki tribe which he belongs.

In this poem the American- Indian poet, Ray Young Bear, draws a picture of his grandmother, all-loving, all-inspiring. His grand-mother would wear a purple scarf round her head for warmth and she would go to market with a plastic shopping bad in her hand. Her shape was also quite remarkable. If the poet saw her from a long distance, he could tell that she was his grandmother. She would come home working in the field and wash her hands. They were wet and had the smell of roots. She would put her hands on his head and cares it lovingly. Although they were wet, they would be warm out of love. Before he looked at her face, the smell and warmth would make him guess that it was his grandmother.
Sometimes the poet would go to her grave. He would imagine to have heard a voice coming from the tombstone. He could feel to be his grandmother. He could feel that her words were moving smoothly inside faint glimpse of hope. He would remember the winter night when they were shivering with cold. His grandmother would wake up and try to move the fire which was covered with thick ashes and he would see her from his bed and hope that he would warm his body by the open Fire.

Questions and Answers:
1) What images do you find in this poem written by a member of the Sauk and Fox (Mesquaki) Indian tribe of North America? To what sense do these images appeal?
Ans: The poet has given two examples of metaphor and one example of simile. The metaphors are 'rock' and 'flow'. Here 'rock' stands for the gravestone and the word 'flow' reminds us of 'the smooth
movement of the stream'. And 'like to light at night' is an example of simile. The poet has succesfully drawn the picture of his grandmother. These image appeal to all senses. Her shape, her purple scarf, the plastic shoping bag, the light, a sleeping fire and damp appeal to our sight. 'The smell of roots' appeal to our smell. 'Warm and damp' appeals to our touch. ' A voice' and ' her words' affects our hearing.

2) How does the speaker feel toward his grandmother? In what words or lines does he make his feelings clear?
Ans: The speaker find s his grandmother all-locing and all-inspiring . 'Warm and damp' shows how deeply she loved him and "her words flow inside me like the light" shows how he is inspired by her. Her words would thrill her.

Practice Questions:

1)2071 Supp 

   How does the speaker feel towars his grandmother?

2) 2071 partial set B

   The speaker in 'Grandmother' seems to be emotional attached to grandmother. How?
3) 2070 Set C 
   How does the poer express his memory and honour toward his grandmother?
4) 2070 Set D
   How does the speaker remember his grandmother?