A Cat, a Kid, and a Mom
A Cat, a Kid, and a Mom - meaning Summary
Three Voices Insist Identity
The poem stages three brief monologues — a cat, a child, and a mother — each asserting their intrinsic nature and resisting the expectations or judgments of others. Through simple, repetitive questions they highlight conflicts between identity and social pressure: animals' instincts, children's impulses, and parental roles. The effect is gently comic but sincere, urging acceptance of different natures rather than forcing conformity.
Read Complete Analyses“Why can’t you see I’m a cat,” said the cat, “And that’s all I ever will be? Why are you shocked when I roam out at night? Why are you sad when I meow and I fight? Why are you sick when I eat up a rat? I’m a cat.” “Why can’t you see I’m a kid,” said the kid. “Why try to make me like you? Why are you hurt when I don’t want to cuddle? Why do you sigh when I splash through a puddle? Why do you scream when I do what I did? I’m a kid.” “Why can’t you see I’m a mom,” said the mom. “Why try to make me wise? Why try to teach me the ways of the cat? Why try to tell me that ‘kids are like that’? Why try to make me be patient and calm? I’m a mom.”
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