"Eating Together," by Li Young-Lee.
What attitude toward death do you feel is depicted by the closing image here?
How does it compare to the attitude toward death in Thursday's poem, "The Death Deal"?
Why are they eating fish? What associations do you have with fish?
I think the image of death at the end is really sad. The way he says he "lay down to sleep" symbolizes death, I think. He most likely put the image of winter in the poem because winter is usually is more serious time of the year. And when Li Young-Lee says that the road has no travelers and is lonely for no one could be suggesting that there isn't anyone left on that road after him, which is a sad thought.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the ending depiction of death portrays a nature-like occurrence due to the fact that the Young-Lee compares death to a "snow covered road winding through pines older than him." The phrase older than him also conveys a sense that the author believes that time goes on which is also shown since the author is painting this scene weeks later after his father died.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the attitude of this poem is upbeat, yet it is about death. The poet seems to be at terms with the fathers death. He talks about how although the road is untouched and new, it doesn't seem lonely. So although they haven't gone through death, the closeness of their family, and the simple love they all share comforts them and makes his death seem peaceful, like he is sleeping.
ReplyDeleteThis poem does an amazing job of using figurative language to really give you the imagery of the food that is being made. It really made my mouth water! On a more serious note, the image of death that Li depicted was quite interesting. He described his father laying with pines older than him, meaning that he was not the first one to die. This seems obvious but it points out the realization that dying is a part of life, everyone has to at one point. He also mentions that death is lonely for no one. To me this means that he accepts his father is dead, and that he is in a better place. Perhaps someday Li will be able to meet his father again. Compared to "The Death Deal", I think they view death pretty similarly. They both mention that everyone will die eventually, and it is a part of life. Also I think they are eating fish because fish is associated with a healthy heart. So the fish is there to symbolize that while they are hurt, they continue to live life and will survive their hardships.
ReplyDeleteI guess i don't know exactly why he would use fish as his dinner meal, but it must be part of Li Young-Lee's culture. Fish could also be somthing important to Li or somthing but noone can know for sure. I don't really enjoy fish that much or fishing for that matter. I find it kind of boring so i don't think i really have any associations with fish
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