With Close reference to at least two poems, examine how the poets have

With Close reference to at least two poems, examine how the poets have explored the theme of parent-child separation. In your response you should deal with * The contexts of the poems. * The contrasts and similarities in the poet's methods and approaches. * The use of language. * You personal reaction to the poems including your preference. Many poems have been written on the basic theme of parent-child separation. I have chosen to write about two poems. The first of these is "The Slave Mother" written by Frances E.W. Harper, written in the mid 1800's. It explores the idea of a black slave mother having her son stolen from her. The second poem I will study is "Walking Away" by C. Day Lewis. Both show the difficulties of Parent-Child separation. However "The Slave Mother" is much more violent and disturbing as oppose to "Walking Away" where there is no mention of violence at all. Frances E. W Harper wrote "The Slave Mother" at a time when blacks were being severely discriminated against. Society and American Law at the time promoted slavery. She was orphaned as a child and therefore has some background on parent-child separation as, similarly to "Walking Away", it is an experience she has gone through. Harper was totally against this and therefore used a polemical style of writing, as she wanted to point out this controversial issue to the public and to persuade people against it. Harper had a pioneering spirit and was prepared to be the first of a kind. She was an active part in the anti-slavery movement and used various poems including "The Slave Mother" to get her point across. When she was speaking up for what she believed her poetry became part of her efforts to campaign against slav... ...f what ahs happened. Both poems have explored the common theme of parent-child separation very well. They also both had an effect on me, although both in different ways. In "The Slave Mother" I was quite shocked and almost disturbed at what the captors had done to this poor mother whose only possession was her son. I also felt a lot of sorrow for the mother. In "Walking Away" I also felt sorry for the parent who was loosing their son. However the whole poem did not sadden me, but rather comforted me by the fact that some losses are purely natural and that it is something that most of us can relate to. Both poems - especially "The Slave Mother" - help me to form a vivid picture in my mind of the two poems. Although both poems were outstanding my favourite out of the two would be "Walking Away" as I feel it is something I can or will be able to relate to.