Emily Steckler ENG 203 Professor Clermont-Ferrand September 12, 2024 Me a Princess: Allusion, Symbolism, and Tone in Machan’s “Hazel Tells Laverne.” Have you ever thought about whether you would rather be a princess or continue your current life? Lots of people I imagine have dreamed about being a princess, but not Hazel. Hazel is a cleaning lady who does not believe she deserves the opportunity to become a princess, she does not understand how something so good could happen to her. Hazel already has her own identity, figured out that she would like to continue as a working-class woman. Katharyn Marchan, in her poem, “Hazel Tells Laverne,” uses allusion, symbolism, and tone to showcase the speaker’s working-class identity. Machan uses allusion to compare the poem …show more content…
This relates to Hazel’s identity as a cleaning lady and refusing to accept this fantasy life. Laverne plants symbolize victory, Hazel’s work and survival is her victory compared to the literal meaning which could relate to becoming a princess. Hazel and Laverne are both names in the title of the poem, and basically it is saying that wisdom tells victory. Machan uses tone through a dramatic monologue by showing humor, but also showing the harsh identities and realities of working-class women. The poem's use of language affects how it demonstrates tone throughout it. For example, ‘sohelpmegod’ in line ten has four different words combined into one which is an interesting decision, the speaker seems annoyed here by the frog talking, this language also makes the story funnier. In line twelve and thirteen, it says, “and how I can be a princess, me a princess.” I read this with Hazel being confused and asking how someone could seriously think she could possibly be a princess, how that is not her life and what she desires. Hazel also shows her annoyance and not believing in that fantasy lifestyle by calling the frog a