Rita Dove's Poem 'This Life'

Rita Dove
“This Life” What is Rita Dove trying to say with this poem? How do people how this? The author of this poem Rita Dove. Rita born was born on August 28th, 1952 in Akron, Ohio. She lived with her mother and father.

Rita Dove was an exceptional scholar; she worked very hard when she was younger. Rita was invited to the white house as a Presidential scholar. Rita was ranked number 1of 100 top high school students in the nation. (Biography). Rita also attended Miami University in Ohio as a national merit scholar. Rita, after graduating she received a Fulbright to study at the University of Tubingen in West Germany. Rita dove is the daughter of one of the first black chemists who is the in tire industry. Her parents helped her developed a love of learning and also helped her with literature at an early age (biography). Rita’s parents also encouraged her to read which helped her understand and comprehend what she is reading. Rita earned a MFA, which is a master of fine arts, at the Iowa’s writer’s workshop. At the University of Iowa, Rita met Fred Viebain. Rita married Fred Vie Bain, who is a German writer. Fred and Rita had a daughter together in 1983. From a very early

age Rita had always really loved poetry and also music. (“Rita”).
For a few years starting in 1981, Rita taught at the Arizona State University.

Which she made appearances in magizines and newspapers. Rita dove had even had some collarbations with musical artists to work on song lyrics. Rita’s first poem The Yellow House on the corner, which she had written in 1980, then Museum, and Thomas Beulah had all won a national acclaim. In 1970 her poem, Thomas Beulah, won the Pulitzer Prize. Rita had gotten a to a two-year term as Poet Laureate of the United States and Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (“Rita”). Also Rita was the first young, African- American to reach this high level in poetry. Rita was asked in 1994 to her poem, called Freedom for the 200th annverseritay of the state capitol. Rita also earned other awards such as the Heinz

award.
This life was written along with Rita’s first poem, The Yellow House on the Corner. The poem was written in 1980. The poem was very well know of its sense of history Rita had put into the poem (poetry). Also the poem has big sense of a potical view. This life is one of Rita’s most popular poems she has written. Poet Brenda Shaughnessy noted that “Dove is a master at transforming a public or historic element—re-envisioning a spectacle and unearthing the heartfelt, wildly original private thoughts such historic moments always contain.” (Poetry). The tone in this poem, seems like there is a lot frustration. The author sounds disappointed because men are not letting her express herself in a way she wants to. The poem seems to be written in free verse. “Our lives will be the same-lips swollen from whistling at danger” (Life 13). Rita is trying to say that her life will continue to stay the same, and that her lover will probably never realize that he is not caring for her like he should be.
Rita Dove is an excellent poet, she has earned many awards, wrote many poems, and has a had lot of job opportunities because of her writing skills. Rita put a lot historical events into her poems, things such as 20th century and racism and even little things about her grandparents. Rita had also loved learning, with help from her parents she went a long way in life. Rita’s parents were on her all time about studying and wanted her to have a wide variety of reading. She developed skills at a young age so her writing continued to get better and better as she grew up. Her poems had a big effect on people who read them, which may be a reason they are so well liked. Her poems are for people of all ages and everyone who reads them usually enjoys them and likes the emotions she puts into them.