The Myth Of Music Poem Analysis

Words: 519
Pages: 3

The poem, “The Myth of Music”, written by Rachel M. Harper expresses a sentimental feeling that uses music as a comparison to the complex memories of Harper’s family. Music is a representation of the memories that she holds onto and she compares them through the uses of imagery, form, and tone.
Imagery plays a role in the poem allowing Harper to picture some memories that she remembers. For example, in lines 12-15, she states, “I sit on the hardwood floors of a damp November, my brother dealing cards form an incomplete deck…” She describes the scene that live inside of her memories by detailing the surroundings around her brother. To proceed with this, she then writes, “.. collective memory cut in rough-textured tones, the voice of a horn so familiar…” (lines 18-20). With this being indicated, the familiar sounds of music allows her to recall the memory of her brother. Harper compares her genes with music by saying they can be passed down. She indicates that, “If music can be passed of like brown eyes or a strong left hook, this melody is my inheritance..” (lines 1-4). She uses her
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Harper describes the memories of her mother by relating her to the sound of music. Harper declared, “...you present in the sound of typing your own accompaniment, multiphonics disguised as chords in a distant room…” (lines 34-37). Harper misses the presence of her mother within the house. She was the word “multiphonics” and “disguised” as a view that her mother’s voice can be heard from a distance. She also states that, “...speakers set of high to fill the whole house with your spirit, your call as a declaration of love.” (lines 37-40). With this being indicated, it can be viewed that her mother has a strong presence within the house. Harper describes her mother loud by using the word “speakers.” Speakers, in this case, is known to make sounds louder and so, Harper’s mother can be heard throughout the ”whole