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The intricate process of forming an identity mirrors the meticulous creation of a quilt, where diverse threads weave together to create a unique and enduring masterpiece. Teresa Palomo Acosta explores this metaphor in her poignant poem, "My Mother Pieced Quilts." The mother, as the artisan of identity, navigates the delicate task of selecting, quilting, and releasing, giving life to a singular and everlasting identity.
At the inception of the identity-forming journey, the mother faces the critical task of selecting the threads that will shape her child's quilt.
The poem illustrates this process as the mother "[. . .] shaped patterns square and oblong and round / positioned / balanced" (13-15). Here, each shape symbolizes a distinct aspect of a child's identity, a unique characteristic or personality trait.
Not only does the mother deliberate over shapes, but she also contemplates the colors of each piece: "whether to put the lilac purple of easter against the red plaid of winter-going- / into-spring / whether to mix a yellow with blue and white [.
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. .]" (31-33). The colors represent the myriad personalities that will compose the child's identity. The mother, akin to an artist with a palette, must make choices that harmonize and create a cohesive whole. This mirrors the complex decision-making involved in crafting a child's identity, where diverse traits are chosen and blended to form a unified and vibrant whole.
Having chosen the threads, the mother embarks on the meticulous process of quilting—the act of shaping and molding the identity.
The blank canvas, described as "[. . .] stalking out the plan:" (30), symbolizes the potentiality of the child. The mother, with skill and dedication, "stretched and turned and re-arranged" (23) each piece, ensuring a perfect fit within the canvas.
As the quilt takes form, so does the child's identity. The mother's careful craftsmanship mirrors the nuanced process of identity formation. It is not a haphazard arrangement but a deliberate and thoughtful composition. The child, like the quilt, becomes a canvas filled with carefully selected traits and characteristics, forming a unique and cohesive identity.
Once the quilt is complete, the mother's work transcends the immediate moment. The quilted identity becomes an integral part of the individual, enduring beyond the crafting process. The poem expresses this continuity as it states, "[. . .] every morning [one awakes] to these" (5). The identity, woven and "knotted with love" (54) by the mother, takes on a life of its own, singing into the future.
The personification of the quilt's singing aligns with the enduring nature of a person's identity. It is not a static creation but a dynamic force that resonates through time. The crafted identity, having absorbed the mother's love and care, lives on in the individual, contributing to an ongoing narrative. It becomes a testament to the mother's artistry and the individual's resilience in the face of the future.
In conclusion, "My Mother Pieced Quilts" encapsulates the profound artistry involved in forming a singular identity. The mother's role as the weaver of threads, the shaper of the quilt, and the architect of an enduring legacy mirrors the intricate process of identity crafting. The poem not only captures a moment in time but also hints at the cyclical nature of identity formation, as the crafted identity becomes a source for future creations.
The Art of Identity Crafting in "My Mother Pieced Quilts". (2016, Jun 28). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/meaning-of-teresa-palomo-acostas-my-mother-pieced-quilts-essay
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