In poetry, concepts, events, and sentiments are wonderfully expressed via the utilization of human language. Since it has a long history and emphasizes linguistic aesthetics over other forms of literature, poetry is among the most valued types of writing. Thus, various factors have contributed to its rise in the social order. Poetry’s enduring popularity is primarily due to the varied functions it serves in our society. The poem “Dusting,” authored by Julia Alvarez, discusses a girl who battles for her entire future. The narrator intends to be unique in her ways. Unlike the mother, the narrator does not intend to become a housewife and do the usual chores. Alvarez showcases the existing conflict between a mother and daughter via actions of the girl (daughter), actions of the mother, and feelings showcased by the daughter regarding the mother’s actions.
The very first way Alvarez showcases conflict is via the girl’s actions mentioned in the poem. The young girl is focused on living a better lifestyle than her mother’s current life. While striving through this, she discovers that the mother is rebellious towards her efforts. The little girl is focused on her future, and everything gets aimed toward making life better in the future. It is evident that the narrator is not pleased with the life lived by her mother, and she is determined to do whatever it takes to avoid leading that life. This act is seen when the little girl says, “I wrote and embedded my name in the dusty cabinets each morning” (Stanza 1-5). The little girl’s actions prove that she is determined to better her life and beat all odds regardless of whatever her mother is doing.
Thus, another instance of conflict is showcased in the poem through the mother’s actions. The little girl is not impressed by the mothers’ actions, and she feels like the mothers’ actions act like primary barriers to her dreams and success. As witnessed in this poem, the little girl is bitter toward her mother. “While mother followed, overall squirting linseed all over from an entire burping can inside a crumbled funnel” (Alvarez). Nonetheless, it is tough to conclude that the mothers’ actions are super intentional or she is just concerned about whatever the daughter does. Thus, the narrator does not want to emulate her mother’s lifestyle, which has led to hating the mother since she is a mere housewife. This lifestyle has motivated the speaker to work hard and avoid falling victim to the same trap.
Finally, conflict in the poem is shown via the little girl’s feelings towards what her mother does. We can depict a very ambitious and hardworking girl throughout this poem. The wordings, “I refuse to emulate and become like her” (Alvarez), tells everything to the reader. The mothers’ actions never break the little girl in any way. Thus, the daughter is not amused by these actions put forward by the mother; however, the actions motivate her to work hard and remain focused on her dreams. The little girl does not want to become a housewife like her mother, but her mother is seen to be against the little girls’ ambitions making it hard for the girl to achieve her dreams. The girl has promised herself never to be anonymous like the mother.
In conclusion, we see that the speakers’ biological mother could be innocent in her overall actions and the hurt inflicted on the daughter. The readers can witness conflict between the mother and daughter throughout the poem. Alvarez showcases the existing conflict between a mother and daughter via actions of the girl (daughter), actions of the mother, and feelings showcased by the daughter regarding the mother’s actions. It is essential to understand that the daughter is determined to better her life in the future since she does not want to end up like the mother.
Work cited
Alvarez, Julia. “Dusting.” Meyer, Michael and D. Quentin Miler. The Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2020. 819
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