Who ever thinks that someone they love and hold dear in their heart will ever be murdered or taken away from them? The answer to this question for nearly anyone who is asked this is unbearable to think about. For poet Natasha Trethewey, the reality of it all is too much to bear however, she turns to poetry for a way out. In Natasha Trethewey’s book of poems, Native Guard, Trethewey integrates her personal challenges and experiences with those in history. In section one particularly, Natasha Trethewey communicates her thoughts and feelings towards the loss of a loved one, disappointment, and abusement. In one of the first section poems, “What is Evidence”, Trethewey creates this image of domestic abuse and the daunting effects that it can cause …show more content…
However, it can be assumed that he turned to be something she did not expect nor think he would ever turn out to be. When she comes to the realization of her demanding relationship with her husband, it is a little too late and he is pretty much already the dominant figure over her. He uses this to his advantage.This particular line in the poem could however, also be interpreted as if Trethewey’s mother's actions were voluntary in which she only wanted to do what a wife during her time was expected to do. During her mother’s time in history, the wife was the figure seen to take care of the house and children. It can be inferred that maybe she wanted to please her husband but was again quickly taken advantage of which resulted in her losing her independence.
As the poem continues, Natasha Trethewey states that the victim is looking for a way out. Assumably, the reader can say that Gwendolyn wants to escape the hands of her offensive husband and the relationship altogether. However, Gwendolyn also wants to protect this man, but for what reason? The reader then has to take into consideration that she may want to protect him because she truly loves him or is extremely afraid of what he may or may not do to her. Gwendolyn …show more content…
Native Guard serves to share the untold or hidden stories of those throughout history and provide a moving testimony. In section one of the book, Trethewey adequately focuses on telling these stories as she did in the poem “What is Evidence.” In the poem, “What is Evidence”, Natasha Trethewey uncovers her mother’s truth and communicates some of her thoughts and feelings. She brings to the attention of her audience the reality of domestic abuse and relationship issues in the world. Throughout the poem, Natasha Trethewey leads the audience to evidence of these issues (her mother’s death) and effectively displays the disturbing events that occurred in between through literary devices such as imagery, tone and attitude. This naturally allows the audience to uncover the evidence throughout the poem and understand its full