Metaphors, Ambiguity, And Irony In Marks By Linda Pastan

Life is for a Grade We are constantly being judged and that constantly weighs on us. “Marks” by Linda Pastan compares school to life and how grades can weigh us down. This comparison is shown using metaphors, ambiguity, and irony. The poem begins “ My husband gives me an A for last nights supper.” The first two lines are a metaphor comparing her husband's judgement to a grade. Other examples from the poem that have similar metaphors are, “My son says I am average,” and “My daughter believes in Pass/Fail and tells me I pass.” All three of these quotes demonstrate how the narrator's family judges her and how in her mind that is equivalent to receiving a grade. The metaphors throughout this poem demonstrate the idea that everyone is constantly being judged even by the people that are closest to them. The ambiguity in this poem is very subtle. The very last sentences says, “Wait ‘til they learn I’m dropping out.”

The metaphors comparing judgement to a grade, all seem positive. Pastan’s husband gives her an A for supper, meaning her dinner tasted great, which is an amazing grade that Pastan should be proud of. Pastan’s son says that she is average. Average is also a good grade that Pastan should be okay with. Her daughter also believes she is passing. Pastan is passing, so she’s doing good, and doing everything she should be doing. None of these grades are overwhelmingly negative, so Pastan should be happy with how she is doing. However, that is not the case. Pastan is most likely a perfectionist and being simply average or simply passing is not good enough for her. The judgement and ultimate grade of not being good enough cause Pastan to feel and view things in a negative light. Grades that seem spectacular to some, ironically feel like failure to Pastan. The feeling of failure causes Pastan to decide to drop out. It is ironic how it seems like she is doing well, even though she is