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Living Photograph Note 1
Living Photograph Note 1
Moral Value
1 We must treasure our loved ones when they are alive.
We must spend as much time as we can with our loved ones while they are still living
When they pass away, all that will be left are the memories, as is illustrated in the poem
Summary of Stanza 1
The persona is looking at an old photograph of her grandmother and herself. She describes the
photograph her grandmother is standing tall and straight, dressed in a white embroidered lace
blouse with a pleated skirt, and flat shoes. Her grey hair is pulled neatly into a bun. She is smiling
kindly while holding the personas hand in hers, giving her the security and comfort. As the persona
describes their linked hands white hand in black hand it is clear that they come from a mixed race
family. The last line seems to suggest that the persona knows that her grandmothers death will come
soon.
Summary of Stanza 2
While the first describes the photograph, in the second stanza, the persona is remembering her
grandmother later, when she is older and has become ill. The persona recalls how her grandmother
soon grows thinner and more fragile. Her back is hunched and she becomes forgetful as is illustrated
in the line, Her soup forgot to boil. Eventually, she passes away and upon her death, she goes to an
unimaginable place.
Summary of Stanza 3
However, in the photograph, the personas grandmother will forever be alive. She is still there, holding
the hand of her three-year-old granddaughter, with her smile looking so alive and real.
Themes
1 The everlasting quality of a photograph
A photograph immortalizes a person or a moment. What is captured in a photograph will
remain alive forever.
In the poem, the personas grandmother has already passed away. However, in the
photograph, she will always be healthy and alive.
A photograph also allows us grandmother passes away to reflect on what happened in the
past and relive our memories.
2 Death
Death is a definite outcome for all of us.
In the poem, the persona recalls how her grandmother was once strong and healthy but soon
grows older and becomes ill.
In the end, the grandmother passes away and the persona is only able to relive her memories
with her grandmother through a photograph.