--> The Poem “Child in Subway: Sketch” by Margaret Avison, coincidently also reminds me of Vancouver. It probably reminds me of Vancouver because this is where I have grown up my whole life. This poem would most likely remind anyone of a busy urban city, for example; Toronto or New York. This poem talks about a subway ride, and just like Vancouver on game night or after a huge concert the subway is packed, with people getting on and off, on and off.
--> The child in this poem seems to be going on an adventure. From what I understand the scenery is all new to this child and this trip is going to be new and unpredictable; “wherever his day’s lifetime may / go in its faithful unpredictability.”(12-13) The people in this poem seem to be typical subway riders. They seem to be frustrated because of the busyness and they are all in a hurry; “cement crumbs cinders newspaper scraps / grits the eyelashes from / the people-bobbled stairs down to the subway.”(2-4)
--> The child seems to be scared, but on an adventure with the parents. It almost seems as if it could be ‘take your child to
work day’. The child seems to have never been on the subway before by the way it is described by Avison; “A child, stumbling at the steepness / and the hurrying hurrying, / hangs on…”(5-7). The child is on the subway at a very busy time, which very well could be when everyone is going to work and they are “hurrying hurrying”(6). How the day is described as being a “day’s lifetime” (12) is a way of describing what the day means. If the child is going to work for a day, the child is taking out one day, to look at somebody else’s lifetime.
--> The child in this poem seems to be going on an adventure. From what I understand the scenery is all new to this child and this trip is going to be new and unpredictable; “wherever his day’s lifetime may / go in its faithful unpredictability.”(12-13) The people in this poem seem to be typical subway riders. They seem to be frustrated because of the busyness and they are all in a hurry; “cement crumbs cinders newspaper scraps / grits the eyelashes from / the people-bobbled stairs down to the subway.”(2-4)
--> The child seems to be scared, but on an adventure with the parents. It almost seems as if it could be ‘take your child to
work day’. The child seems to have never been on the subway before by the way it is described by Avison; “A child, stumbling at the steepness / and the hurrying hurrying, / hangs on…”(5-7). The child is on the subway at a very busy time, which very well could be when everyone is going to work and they are “hurrying hurrying”(6). How the day is described as being a “day’s lifetime” (12) is a way of describing what the day means. If the child is going to work for a day, the child is taking out one day, to look at somebody else’s lifetime. By: Rachelle Beuk
2 comments:
Good job Rachelle in analyzing the poem and connecting the child to everyday events and situations! I think Margaret Avison did an excellent job in portraying the busyness of the subway and the child’s inexperienced novel world and adventure. I must agree that this poem does remind me very much like Vancouver and our transit system (i.e. Sky train) during the rush hours. Likewise, I find that this is one of those poems I can easily relate to and reflect upon. When I was much younger, I visited New York City with my family, and it was also my first time riding the Subway. I found it overwhelming, and a bit fearful that I would lose my parents due to the mob of people rushing eagerly in and out to their destination.
Also, I like how she ends her poem with, “wherever his day’s lifetime may/go in its faithful unpredictability.” (12-13). My understanding of this phrase is similar to yours; the child, with his parents close by to keep him/her safe, is going to a new fascinating, and mysterious place filled with new wonders and expriences.
Sorry, that comment is written by Rosalie Pham. ( I tend to forget to leave my name.)
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