Rivalry and Tension

The second page of the transcript delves deeper into the rivalry between the speaker and her partner's mother, referred to as "my rival." The tension is palpable as the rival serves tea, with the speaker noting, "She glosses over him and me." This line suggests a superficial pleasantness that masks underlying hostility.

Quote: "I am all edges, a surface, a shell, and yet my rival thinks she means me well."

This quote reveals the speaker's discomfort and her awareness of the rival's true feelings. The use of the shell metaphor implies the speaker's vulnerability and her attempt to protect herself in this hostile environment.

The poem escalates the sense of conflict with vivid imagery: "Soon, my rival will fight, fight foul for her survival." This line, with its harsh alliteration, conveys the intensity of the rivalry and the lengths to which the hostess might go to maintain her position.

Definition: Alliteration - the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

The speaker's attempts to be "Deferential, daughterly" while sipping tea highlight her struggle to maintain composure in the face of this tension. The bitter taste of the tea serves as a metaphor for the unpleasant nature of the entire interaction.

The final lines of this section emphasize the deep-rooted nature of the conflict: "This son she bore - first blood to her - / And I have much to thank her for." This acknowledges the unbreakable bond between mother and son, which the speaker can never fully overcome.

Family Dynamics and Power Struggle

The third page of the transcript further explores the complex family dynamics and the ongoing power struggle between the speaker and her rival. The poem touches on the idea of chance in family relationships, with the line "the sour potluck of family" suggesting that one cannot choose their family members.

Highlight: The repeated use of "far more" in describing the rival emphasizes the speaker's feelings of inadequacy and the formidable nature of her opponent.

The rival is portrayed as a dominant, almost regal figure within the family structure:

Quote: "Queen bee. Lady of the house."

This imagery reinforces the idea of the rival's power and control over the family environment. The speaker acknowledges that her rival is "far more unconscious, far more dangerous than me," indicating a level of cunning or natural authority that the speaker finds difficult to counter.

The poem continues to use food imagery to convey the pervasive nature of the rivalry:

Example: "She dishes up her dreams for breakfast. / Dinner, and her salt tears pepper our soup."

This vivid description suggests that every aspect of family life is infused with the rival's influence and emotions.

The final lines of this section reveal the speaker's sense of defeat:

Quote: "Listen, I was always my own worst enemy. / She has taken even this from me."

This poignant admission shows how thoroughly the rival has dominated the speaker's experience, even usurping her sense of self-criticism.