Coal By Audre Lorde Analysis

When looking at one object, no one can really know how many meanings lie beneath the surface of that object. On word can mean a thousand different things in a thousand different languages, but do people actually look deep enough into that word or object to find the meanings that lie beneath? In the poem “Coal,” by Audre Lorde there is a lot of meanings to one simple object that she is describing in her poem. Is she talking about how words can really effect someone, or is she really talking about race in particular, or is it about someone coming to truth with their sexuality.
Not everyone really understands how bad words can affect someone’s life. At the same time simple words could make a person’s day even better. Simple words have a huge impact on the people
“These years in silence and reflection made me stronger and reminded me that acceptance has to come from with and that is kind of truth gives me the power to conquer emotions I didn’t even know existed.” () Lorde hints at the idea that she herself might be coming out to the world in this poem. “Some words live in my throat breeding like adders. Others know sun seeking like gypsies over my tongue to explode through my lips like young sparrows bursting from shell. Some words bedevil me.” () It looks like Lorde is trying to come out to the world and show them who she really is, but words keep her at bay. Mean hateful words are what is keeping her at bay and not allowing her to come out to the world. Hateful words for people who don’t even know the person. Every person out there who is homosexual has probably come to terms with this concept. That mean hateful words will show up and bedevil them when they decided to come out to the world. Once those words are out, then the living and happy phase of their lives can begin as a stronger