Poem Analysis - As Life Was Five

Overall Impression and Tone

Jimmy Santiago Baca's "As Life Was Five" is a deeply personal and emotionally charged poem that reflects on a pivotal moment in the author's childhood. The poem begins with a tone of remembrance and introspection, shifting to anger and despair as it recounts an incident of racism. The narrative then transitions to a sense of resilience and empowerment, culminating in a tone of healing and liberation. The poem's form, with its long, flowing lines and vivid imagery, supports the emotional journey it undertakes.

Historical and Personal Context

The poem is set in a rural community, likely in the Southwest United States, where Spanish is the primary language spoken. The incident described in the poem highlights the historical and ongoing struggle of Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S. against linguistic and cultural discrimination. Baca, who grew up in a Chicano community, draws from his personal experiences to illustrate the broader social issues of racism and linguistic imperialism.

Themes: Cultural Identity and Resilience

The poem explores the theme of cultural identity, particularly the struggle to maintain one's heritage in the face of oppression. The speaker's grandfather represents a traditional, Spanish-speaking culture that is devalued and mocked by the English-speaking farm office clerk. The phrase "Portate bien" (behave yourself) is a recurring motif that symbolizes the speaker's internalization of his cultural values, even as he witnesses their degradation. The speaker's eventual empowerment and transformation into a poet who sings the song of his people illustrate the theme of resilience. Despite the trauma of witnessing his grandfather's humiliation, the speaker finds strength and purpose in his cultural heritage.

Themes: The Power of Language

The poem delves into the theme of the power of language, both as a tool of oppression and a source of strength. The English language is portrayed as an "invader's sword" and an "oppressor's language," used to humiliate and dehumanize the speaker's grandfather. However, the speaker ultimately reclaims language as a means of empowerment, using it to express his pain, his love for his culture, and his commitment to his people's freedom and beauty. The poem's use of vivid, sensory language underscores the emotional impact of words and the power they hold to shape our experiences and identities.

Themes: Intergenerational Trauma and Healing

The poem also explores the theme of intergenerational trauma and healing. The incident in the farm office leaves a deep wound in the speaker's heart, a wound that replays itself "a hundred times" in his memory. However, the speaker finds a way to heal this wound by transforming his pain into art, using his experiences to create poetry that "endures and feeds" his community. The poem's final lines suggest a process of healing and liberation, as the speaker imagines the scene of his grandfather's humiliation taking flight and soaring away, like a "sweet bird."

Recurring Symbols and Images

The poem is rich with vivid imagery and recurring symbols that contribute to its emotional power. The "apricot tree" in the grandfather's soul, which is "buried" and "cut down" by the English language, symbolizes the destruction of his dignity and cultural identity. The "wet-feathered bird" that grows but cannot crack out of its shell represents the speaker's own struggle to assert his identity and find his voice. The "eagle" that the speaker's heart becomes symbolizes his eventual empowerment and liberation. The poem's final image of the "sweet bird" taking flight suggests a process of healing and transformation, as the speaker learns to let go of his pain and embrace his cultural heritage.

Conclusion

"As Life Was Five" is a powerful exploration of the complex interplay between cultural identity, language, and trauma. Through vivid imagery and a deeply personal narrative, Baca illustrates the destructive power of racism and linguistic imperialism, as well as the resilience and strength of those who resist it. The poem ultimately offers a message of hope and healing, as the speaker transforms his pain into art and finds a way to soar above his past. The poem's significance lies in its ability to give voice to the experiences of marginalized communities and to inspire readers to embrace their cultural heritage and fight against oppression.