The Black Lace Fan My Mother Gave Me
Practice Commentary: The Black Lace Fan My Mother Gave Me
Eavan Bolland’s “The Black Lace Fan my Mother Gave me” from her book, “Outside History” (1990) gives readers the first impression that the poem is about the value of a fan that has been passed down to her. However, based on the title, the term “black lace” raises a sense of mystery and darkness as black lace is not completely see-through, there are spots that need to be filled in. To illustrate the value of the black lace fan, the speaker, who is unknown, narrates on how the mother received it and also used very vivid descriptions on its significance.
To add to the sense of mystery suggested by the title, the use of “him” and “her” instead of actual names enhances this quality of the poem and it gives readers an incentive to read on. In the first stanza, there are two opposing tones used—a romantic tone and a miserable tone. Bolland has created a romantic atmosphere in the first two sentences,
“It was the first gift he ever gave her,
Buying it for five francs in the Galeries
In pre-war Paris.”
The imagery of Paris that Bolland used gives these two sentences a sense of romance as Paris is known to be the city of love. Buying a gift from the Galeries, an upmarket department store, also reflects on the theme of love because five francs at that period must have been of value as it was just before the war. However, the term “pre-war Paris” acts as a transition phase from a romantic mood to a dark, gloomy mood. The use of two words that bring opposing ideas, such as “pre-war” which indicates never-ending sorrow whereas “Paris” brings joy and happiness, is effective in transitioning from the theme of love to misery. In the next sentence, the narrator mentions that “it” was stifling. This raises the question to what was stifling—the gift or him? This sentence gives a hint to the readers that the man may be a part of the war that was occurring, which makes both the man and woman to think the situation as “stifling”
Eavan Bolland’s “The Black Lace Fan my Mother Gave me” from her book, “Outside History” (1990) gives readers the first impression that the poem is about the value of a fan that has been passed down to her. However, based on the title, the term “black lace” raises a sense of mystery and darkness as black lace is not completely see-through, there are spots that need to be filled in. To illustrate the value of the black lace fan, the speaker, who is unknown, narrates on how the mother received it and also used very vivid descriptions on its significance.
To add to the sense of mystery suggested by the title, the use of “him” and “her” instead of actual names enhances this quality of the poem and it gives readers an incentive to read on. In the first stanza, there are two opposing tones used—a romantic tone and a miserable tone. Bolland has created a romantic atmosphere in the first two sentences,
“It was the first gift he ever gave her,
Buying it for five francs in the Galeries
In pre-war Paris.”
The imagery of Paris that Bolland used gives these two sentences a sense of romance as Paris is known to be the city of love. Buying a gift from the Galeries, an upmarket department store, also reflects on the theme of love because five francs at that period must have been of value as it was just before the war. However, the term “pre-war Paris” acts as a transition phase from a romantic mood to a dark, gloomy mood. The use of two words that bring opposing ideas, such as “pre-war” which indicates never-ending sorrow whereas “Paris” brings joy and happiness, is effective in transitioning from the theme of love to misery. In the next sentence, the narrator mentions that “it” was stifling. This raises the question to what was stifling—the gift or him? This sentence gives a hint to the readers that the man may be a part of the war that was occurring, which makes both the man and woman to think the situation as “stifling”