I Go Back To May 1937 Analysis

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The character in Sharon Olds poem “I Go Back to May, 1937” is taken back to the day her parents first began dating. Innocent, young, dumb, and senseless; She sees her parents from a far at a college campus, content with one another’s company. She wants to walk up to the both of them and say “Stop, don’t do it – she’s the wrong woman, he’s the wrong man”. Both her mom and dad will hurt their children, suffer in ways they have never suffered before; and will want to die. Instead, she chooses to not say anything, she keeps her mouth closed and lets her mom and dad continue on with their relationship. Does this make the character strong by heart or inconsiderate for letting her parents be, knowing that the future will not be so bright? Small details give greater meaning; The character is well aware that her parents are innocent of the distresses that lies ahead. She sees her father “strolling out under the ochre sandstone arch, the red tiles glinting like bent plates of blood behind his head” This could indicate the cruel things that will occur as the couple marry and create a family of their own. …show more content…

Instead, her mother is going to carry these plates of blood which will be the problems with her husband and the hurt she will present to her child. Yes, her parents are “kids, they are dumb, all they know is they are innocent, they would never hurt anybody” but line is very ironic because her parents are young adults with no intentions of hurting anybody not even themselves. Graduation college early they are still dumb to marry at an early age because they don’t have the experience or knowledge for the commitment they’re about to make. The character is strong by heart because she is willing

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