Poem Analysis - What Shall I Give My Children

An Introduction to Maternal Anxiety

Gwendolyn Brooks's "What Shall I Give My Children" is a poignant exploration of a mother's anxieties regarding her ability to adequately provide for her children, not materially, but in terms of self-worth and identity. The poem resonates with a tone of worried contemplation, shifting between feelings of inadequacy and a fierce love. It speaks to a deep-seated fear that she hasn't given them the tools to thrive in a world that already sees them as "leastwise." The poem is not just about physical poverty but also about a perceived lack of inner resources, the "stone" and "design" to make them whole.

Historical Context: The Weight of Prejudice

While the poem's themes are universal, it is important to acknowledge the historical context in which Gwendolyn Brooks was writing. As an African American woman writing in the mid-20th century, Brooks was acutely aware of the social and systemic barriers faced by Black children in the United States. The poem can be interpreted as reflecting the pressures of raising children in a society that devalues them based on race, impacting their sense of self and potential. The "autumn freezing everywhere" could be symbolic of the hostile social climate and the challenges of finding warmth and acceptance.

The Theme of Inadequacy: A Mother's Burden

A central theme is the mother's profound sense of inadequacy. This isn't a simple lament about financial limitations; it's a deeper worry about her inability to give her children a solid foundation of self-esteem and a clear sense of purpose. The line "My hand is stuffed with mode, design, device. / But I lack access to my proper stone" suggests she possesses skills and ideas but lacks the fundamental element, the "stone," to give them true substance. The phrase "little halves" emphasizes the feeling that the children are incomplete or vulnerable, requiring something more than she currently possesses. Her worry about her hand being "Less than angelic, admirable or sure" further compounds this theme of inadequacy, reinforcing her perception of herself as unable to complete the task of building strong identities for her children.

Love and Grief: Two Sides of a Coin

Love and grief are intertwined throughout the poem, acting as dual expressions of the speaker's maternal experience. The "sweetest lepers" are loved intensely, but also viewed with sorrow, perhaps because of the challenges they face or the perceived imperfections of their creation. The line "Nor grief nor love shall be enough alone" underscores the complex reality that even the most profound emotions are insufficient to fully protect or equip her children. Love is the foundation, but grief acknowledges the limitations and the harsh realities of the world they inhabit. This creates a layered understanding of motherhood, one that is both tender and painfully aware.

Symbolism: The "Stone" of Self-Worth

The recurring symbol of the "stone" is particularly significant. It represents the essential ingredient needed to build a solid, lasting sense of self. It's not just about material possessions but about inner strength, resilience, and a clear sense of identity. The speaker’s lament that she "lacks access to my proper stone" indicates a deeper struggle to instill these qualities in her children, perhaps because she feels she lacks them herself. Could this also symbolize the cultural heritage and traditions that have been systematically denied to Black people, making it harder to build a strong sense of cultural identity? The absence of this "stone" contributes to the poem's overall sense of anxiety and longing.

A Final Insight: Enduring Relevance

"What Shall I Give My Children" remains a powerful and relevant poem because it speaks to the universal anxieties of parenthood, particularly the desire to equip children with the tools they need to navigate a challenging world. While rooted in the specific historical context of racial inequality, the poem's exploration of inadequacy, love, and the search for inner strength transcends those boundaries. It offers a poignant reflection on the enduring quest to give our children not just what they need, but what they truly deserve: a solid foundation of self-worth and the resilience to thrive, even when the "autumn freezing everywhere."