F4-The Living Photograph-Note & Latihan

The Living Photograph

Stanza 1

The persona is describing her grandmother in a 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 persona's hand in hers. As the persona describes their linked hands, white hand in black hand, it is evident that they come from a mixed race family. The last line seems to suggest that while her grandmother looks strong and healthy, her, death is near.

Stanza 2

The persona's reference to death proves to be true. She recalls the time when her grandmother ages. Her grandmother has become smaller in size because her back is hunched. Her once strong grandmother is now a fragile old lady who is also forgetful. Eventually she passes away and goes to a place that is unimaginable to the persona.

Stanza 3

The persona feels her grandmother's presence whenever she looks at the photograph. She, sees her grandmother and herself at three years old with her grandmother's smile looking so real.

Literal Meaning

Stanza 1

The persona describes her grandmother as tall and well-dressed with a kind smile Her smile comes from her eyes on her deathbed, she held the persona's small black hand in her big white hand She was not afraid to leave the world.

Stanza 2

The persona accepts that her grandmother has passed to the other world, as all grandmothers do Grandmother, who was of a tall stature became small, hunched and forgetful.

Stanza 3

The persona at age three had taken a photograph with grandmother. When she looks at the photograph, she feels grandmother's presence. To the persona, her grandmother is still very much alive and smiling at her.

Figurative Meaning

Stanza 1  

As we start off with our life, we stand tall and confident. We make sure everything is carried out properly without a flaw. We approach every situation with a smile even as we offer encouragement to others and receive support in return. When faced with an inevitable situation, we face the inevitability bravely.

Stanza 2

We can feel the onset of the inevitable as we look around and notice the signs of changes. We begin to lose our grip as things change beyond our control. We may even forget to do certain things But, finally the situation is out of our hands and we have to let go.

Stanza 3

But sometimes there may be a memento to remind us of what we used to be. The memento helps to keep our memories alive.