English & Literature

In the poem Hanging Fire By Audre Lorde, What do you think the repeated line, “and momma’s in the bedroom / with the door closed” tells us about how the speaker feels about their mother?

Poem:

"I am fourteenand my skin has betrayed me the boy I cannot live without still sucks his thumbin secrethow come my knees arealways so ashywhat if I diebefore morningand momma's in the bedroom with the door closed.I have to learn how to dance in time for the next party my room is too small for me suppose I die before graduation they will sing sad melodies but finallytell the truth about meThere is nothing I want to do and too muchthat has to be doneand momma's in the bedroom with the door closed.Nobody even stops to think about my side of itI should have been on Math Team my marks were better than his why do I have to bethe onewearing bracesI have nothing to wear tomorrow will I live long enoughto grow upand momma's in the bedroom with the door closed."

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Last updated by Jill W
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This is an example of the speaker wanting and needing his mother's attention, but in turn, feeling isloated because she closes herself off.

Source(s)

Hanging Fire