The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver
Storyboard Tekst
- The poem begins with the narrator recalling his mother addressing him as a young child, lamenting the fact that they have few things left in their house after selling them all, aside from a harp and a loaf of bread. This has still left them very poor, and one of her greatest troubles is that she has no materials to make clothes for him. It is evident that her difficulty providing for her son is very painful for her, and she feels guilty about it even though it is out of her control. The tone conveyed in this portion of the poem is somber and distraught, using words like "nothing" and "cry" to evoke emotions of pessimism and despair.
- The setting shifts to late fall, and the boy's mother is still disappointed in herself because she is struggling to support her son. She remarks to him how malnourished he appears, but finds some strange relief in the fact that his father has passed away and can't see the conditions they are living under. This continues to develop the conflict of the sorrow, hopelessness, and shame in her life, having lost her partner and most of her material possessions, and fearing that she is doing an inadequate job in raising their son, even though she has done everything she possibly could for him.
- The speaker then describes the winter of that year, which was an especially challenging time for them because they did not have any clothes to keep them warm. In addition, they were living in isolation from the rest of the community; the boy could not play or go to school, and his mother lacked any support from others. The only thing she could offer him was her embrace, which comforted both of them, if only momentarily. This reinforces the theme of the strength carried by a loving bond between a parent and child.
- The setting returns to that of their house, where it is now Christmas Eve. Both food and fuel have become scarce, and they have resorted to burning their chairs for firewood, sleeping on the floor, and freezing due to a lack of clothing. These circumstances are what drive the mother's resolution to protect her son and ensure that he can have a better life, no matter what the cost. This indicates a shift in the poem.
- The mother takes her harp, the only thing she could not sell, and begins to play it. The son witnesses a drowsy blur of events, in which he listens to his mother's music while watching her magically weave clothing for him through the strings of her harp. He also sees a mysterious light washing over her, and remarks how much younger it causes her to appear. This could be interpreted as a supernatural intervention in their lives, whether it be by the power of a deity or simply by that of his mother's love. No matter the case, she has somehow received the means to weave and is finally able to feel fulfilled and give her son what he needs.
- The narrator awakens to find several items of clothing for him, but, more shockingly, his mother sitting frozen to death in her chair. For one thing, it is ironic that it is Christmas morning, a time for family, celebration, and love, but the boy has just been left completely alone in the world. More significant, however, is the symbolism of the clothes, which represent his mother’s sacrifice of her own life in making them for him, not even thinking to weave something to keep herself warm. The harp itself, which everyone refused to buy, could symbolize the way that they couldn't depend on anyone but each other, while the fact that it has stayed with them represents the permanence of her love and guidance, even after death. Overall, I think this poem illustrates the harsh consequences that result from overlooking impoverished communities combined with the immense societal pressure and biological instinct of mothers to entirely disregard their own needs to take care of their children.
Over 30 millioner storyboards laget
Ingen Nedlastinger, Ingen Kredittkort og Ingen Pålogging Nødvendig for å Prøve!
