Blossom Bland

In the wise words of Erich Fromm, “The mother-child relationship is paradoxical and, in a sense, tragic. It requires the most intense love on the mother 's side, yet this very love must help the child grow away from the mother, and to become fully independent.” {Introduce poem with author and pull out words from quote to connect} Since the dawn of humankind, the relationship between mothers and their children has remained the most important factor of growth. In Boland’s poem “Blossom,” she recognizes the journey of a girl from the perspective of the mother; Boland utilizes an extended metaphor, imagery, and diction to reveal the growth of young women through their mother’s care, concern, guidance. Throughout Boland’s poem, she uses an extended metaphor to communicate a message about coming of age: mothers nurture their girls and eventually the daughters gain independence. She begins the poem by

Boland introduces the daughter as a flower, blooming as dawn approaches. She begins by stating, “the blossom on the apple tree is still in shadow” (Boland 4). This illustration of the blooming flower still concealed from the light of day illuminates the coming-of-age in girls. The flower is still in “shadow” or protection of her mother, but will soon be introduced to the responsibility of adulthood. Following this imagery, Boland describes the flower with “its petals half-white and filled with water at the core / in which the freshness and secrecy of dawn are stored” (Boland 5-6). The mother details the flower with “half-white” petals, and full of water. This commentary shows the reader that the girl remains innocent, hence the white as a sign of innocence and purity. The water filling the petal highlights the nurturing and development trailing the upbringing. Therefore, Boland’s use of imagery emphasizes the growth of a woman due to her mother’s