“It’s the Poverty.I lack imagination you say No. I lack language. The language to clarifymy resistance to the literate. Words are a war to me. They threaten my family.To gain the word to describe the loss I risk losing everything. I may create a monster the word’s length and bodyswelling up colorful and thrillinglooming over my mother, characterized.Her voice in the distanceunintelligible illiterate.These are the monster’s words.”
Analysis of "It’s the Poverty" by Cherríe L. Moraga
In this quote, Cherríe L. Moraga discusses the struggles she faces as a writer due to poverty. She explores the idea that poverty hinders her ability to express herself creatively, emphasizing the importance of language in conveying her resistance to societal norms. Moraga uses powerful imagery of creating a "monster" with words to convey the potential consequences of not having the language to articulate her thoughts and feelings. This quote highlights the complex relationship between poverty, language, and creativity, shedding light on the barriers faced by marginalized voices in the literary world.
Modern Relevance
In this powerful excerpt from Cherríe L. Moraga's writing, the struggle with language and literacy is highlighted as a form of resistance against a system that perpetuates poverty and marginalization. This theme is still relevant in modern times, as many individuals continue to face barriers to education and language that limit their opportunities for advancement. The impact of linguistic barriers on one's ability to articulate their experiences and assert their identity is a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities in society.
Example of Usage
Cherríe L. Moraga's powerful words illustrate the struggles faced by those who feel marginalized by language and literacy. The following passage highlights the desperation and fear that can accompany the search for self-expression in a world that may not always value one's voice.
Reflection Questions:
In this powerful passage from Cherríe L. Moraga, the speaker explores the challenges and barriers faced due to poverty and a lack of language. Reflect on the following questions to delve deeper into the themes presented:
How does the lack of language impact the speaker's ability to communicate their resistance to the literate? How does this impact their sense of identity and self-expression?
The speaker mentions that words are a "war" and a threat to their family. In what ways can language be weaponized, especially for individuals facing poverty and marginalization?
The fear of creating a monster through words is a central theme in this passage. What do you think this "monster" represents, and how does it relate to the power dynamics surrounding language and expression?
Reflect on the imagery of the monster looming over the speaker's mother, characterized and unintelligible. How does this reflect the broader societal challenges faced by marginalized communities in accessing and shaping narratives?
Similar quotes
“No; I did not hate him. The word is too weak. There is no word in the language strong enough to describe my feelings. I can say only that I knew the gnawing of a desire for vengeance on him that was a pain in itself and that exceeded all the bounds of language. ”
“Cussing doesn’t come from a lack of vocabulary – I know all the other words. None of them speak the same language that my fucking heart does.”
“Language is a skin: I rub my language against the other. It is as if I had words instead of fingers, or fingers at the tip of my words. My language trembles with desire.”
“It is my own language, limited as it is. I will have to learn to work with it. There was a kind of poetry I was seeking in my prose, word to be laid against word in just a certain way, a kind of word color, a march of words and sentences, the color to be squeezed out of simple words, simple sentence construction.”
“Language, at least, may give up the secrets of life and death, leading us through the maze to the original Word as monster or angel, to the mournful place where we may meet Job and hear his cry, 'How long will you vex my soul and break me in pieces with words?”