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Poem Analysis: Anna Avalon

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1. Anna Avalon has a particular grace and “catlike precision” which allowed her to excel as a trapeze artist, but also throughout other aspects of her life. She is a courageous woman, thriving on excitement. Anna is constantly aware of her surroundings, even after losing her sight to cataracts. She is able to remain calm and composed in high-pressure situations, allowing her to think critically and make quick, sound decisions. Anna is a very humble person, not accustomed to speaking about her past as a trapeze artist or any of her valuable attributes; instead, she remains quiet and respectful, only using her skills when they will be of great benefit. She possesses a valuable resilience which the narrator admires, in addition to her bravery and poise. …show more content…

The narrator has a very melancholy, nostalgic, reflective attitude towards life. She feels that she “failed” in her life, and so went to live with her blind mother in an effort to help her mother as well as to give her own life purpose. The narrator was a very sensible child, demonstrated when she “did exactly what was taught” during a fire that took place in her home. She remained calm, sitting “down to wait” for help.

3. The title hints to the emotional aspects that came along with the physical leaps in the story. It also refers to other times in a person’s life that have parallels to those emotions involved in making a physical leap. Anna’s first leap during the lightning strike involves choosing her own life, as well as her unborn child’s life, over dying with her husband. During the final part of the story involving the house fire, both Anna and the narrator must each make an emotional leap; Anna’s leap involving confidence of her own skills, and the narrator in trusting her

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