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Behind Grandma's House Analysis

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Adolescence is a difficult time of transition in many children’s lives. Faced with physical, mental and social changes, many children struggle to find a coping mechanism that allows them to seamlessly transition into young adulthood. Because the struggles of adolescence are almost universal, many poems have been written about the issues faced during this critical period of social development. “Hanging Fire” by Audre Lorde and “Behind Grandma’s House” by Gary Soto are both poems that tell stories about youths trying to create an image for themselves. Despite both facing issues associated with adolescence, the speakers in “Hanging Fire” and “Behind Grandma’s House” have different support mechanisms that contribute to them handling their situations in different ways. Audre Lorde’s “Hanging Fire” details the thoughts and insecurities going through the mind of a fourteen year old girl. The teenage girl begins by telling us about her dissatisfaction with her physical appearance and her changing body. She is frustrated by her newfound acne and is wondering why “(her) skin has betrayed (her).” …show more content…

On the other hand, the speaker of “Behind Grandma’s House” has a grandmother who is engaged in the speaker’s life and passionate about setting him on the right path. Although the grandmother’s actions may be questionable, her mind is in the right spot, and she seems to really care about her grandson. The speaker in “Hanging Fire” could benefit significantly from a role model like the grandmother in “Behind Grandma’s House.” Having a strong support system in place could benefit the speakers in both poems and help them to navigate the challenging years of

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